I am working thru my insurance requirements and hope to begin the insurance approval process in a couple of months. I am curious about other Bakersfield patients experiences with the lap band and how happy they were with Dr. Irani.

Thanks!

Dr. Irani is my doctor. He did my surgery on March 17 09. I really like him. He's relaxed and very understanding. I didn't really see him after my consult again until right before they put me under and then not again until my one week check. I was told that’s how he normally is but, I could have seen him in his office before my band again if I wanted but, that he didn't require it. It's seems that after your band is when you spend more time with him, for fills and check ups.

As far as the office staff and insurance.... I'm not sure if you have been in for a consult or not but, they will tell if you do go, you have to pay the doctor’s fee up front of $3,400 and then they will bill your insurance for you and have the insurance company pay you back directly at whatever the % they pay. For me it was kinda a pain, I paid the money up front and for nearly two months I kept wondering where my claim check was and finaly relized that they never sumited it. I spooke to them and the insurance and found out that they wern't sumiting the claim properly....so to make a long story short I didn't it myself in 10 min from my home computer and got it in a few weeks. So I would strongly recommend just mailing the claim in yourself. Most insurance you can print the forms off there web site.

Edited June 3, 200917 yr by Dani13

Hey,

I am also an Irani patient. I love him. As Dani said, he is very ladi back, easy going, and makes you feel at ease. I did lots of research and he was the one that kept coming up as the best. Im only 3 weeks post op.

The woman in his office are jems!! I love them. So helpful and comforting. They treat me like I'm their only patient. Irani also has a new doctor/nurse working with him. She is sooo nice!! I love her.

I am a cash patient so I havent had to deal with any insurance or anything. Good luck with everything! Wish my insurance would have approved it!

Let me know if you need anything!

Thank you for your response. I'd love to hear about your progress.

Hello all! I would like to know if any of you lapbanders who live in Bakersfield would like to form a support group? Let me know!

Julie

I would love to!!!! Keep me posted!

I have a good friend who is Naik's patient who just had it done 2 weeks ago....sure she would be interested also!

A support group would be great! Count me in.

Great! I go in for my pre op today ((((yeah))))) so I will keep you all posted on that. I will set up a meetup group on www.meetup.com. We need to think of a name for our Bakersfield group. Any ideas????

So lets get this thing going!! I'm ready for it! Sioux, are u taking charge at heading it up??

I will be having surgery on Sept lst. I would love to join a support group. Maybe we could take turns having meeting at each others homes. Maybe weekly or whatever. Let me know.

Hey guys! Wanted to give you a heads up on a support group at Mercy Southwest this tues. Sept 1st at 6pm in the "Friends of Mercy" building back by the ER close to State Farm. Anyone is welcome! I'll be there and I would love to meet you all! There will be someone from DS Nutrition there with goodies to sample! My name is Shannon White...come introduce yourself!!

Hi Shannon, I am a lap band pt of Dr Irani's. I am 3 1/2 yrs post lap band placement. Still loving life. Best thing I did for myself. Hopefully I will see you at some of the future support group meetings.

Take care, P.J. Robinson

Dr Irani is my doc as well. I am looking for others in Bakersfield who hve had the surgery as well. There is now a Bakersfield, Ca Lap Band Page on Facebook. Check it out!!! Can wait to chat with you all.

Check out Bakersfield, Ca Lap Band on facebook!

Im Dr Garcia's patient. I was banded May17th 2010. I attend the support group meetings at Heart Hospital they are every 2nd Thursday of the month. You can call Stephanie Marina 661-852-6189. She can get you on her email list to remind you of the meetings. If any of you are attending or creating a support group of your own I am interested. Good luck

Shawna