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Hello from the Coachella Valley



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Hello Everybody. I have been lurking around here for awhile and figured it was time I said hello. My name is Scott and I am 6’3” and weigh 395. I am just beginning the process of finding my surgeon and have learned a lot from reading all the posts. I am interested in some personal experiences from people living in and around the Coachella Valley (Palm Springs, CA area). I live in La Quinta and have no problem driving to Riverside or San Diego for the right doc but would obviously like to stay close to home. I have already heard some great things about Dr. Coon at Parkview Community Hospital (Thanks Rose) and will be attending one of his seminars soon. I am also interested in any program fees you were required to pay. I have Anthem BCBS and they cover 90% of the cost but I have heard of additional program fees from zero to $8000.00. I know there is a lot of discussion on this board about the legitimacy of program fees, but let’s keep those conversations on the other threads. I am just craving information here. Thanks everybody.

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Hi Scott, we are glad you decided to join and start posting. Have you checked out the local forums for your area? You will probably find a lot of information on doctors near you there.

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Scott,

I go through your area everytime I see my surgeon. I had my band done in Mexicali. My total cost including lifetime fill was $7000.00. No program fee for me.

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Hello Everybody. I have been lurking around here for awhile and figured it was time I said hello. My name is Scott and I am 6’3” and weigh 395. I am just beginning the process of finding my surgeon and have learned a lot from reading all the posts. I am interested in some personal experiences from people living in and around the Coachella Valley (Palm Springs, CA area). I live in La Quinta and have no problem driving to Riverside or San Diego for the right doc but would obviously like to stay close to home. I have already heard some great things about Dr. Coon at Parkview Community Hospital (Thanks Rose) and will be attending one of his seminars soon. I am also interested in any program fees you were required to pay. I have Anthem BCBS and they cover 90% of the cost but I have heard of additional program fees from zero to $8000.00. I know there is a lot of discussion on this board about the legitimacy of program fees, but let’s keep those conversations on the other threads. I am just craving information here. Thanks everybody.

Hey! I know where that is!! LOL - I'm betting it's hot there right now, no?

Welcome to LBT, you'll love it here.

Best of luck!

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Hey! I know where that is!! LOL - I'm betting it's hot there right now, no?

Welcome to LBT, you'll love it here.

Best of luck!

Not to bad today, only 115 degrees. Love it!:thumbup:

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Hello from San Diego!

Hot here today, but not the heat your are feeling.. but, hey.. it IS a dry heat, no? :thumbup:

I am in San Diego, also have BCBS, pays 90% and I am going to Dr. Bhoyrul who is in La Jolla. No program fee from any information I've received so far. I went to three seminars down here and I liked him, his staff, and personality (as a match to me) the best. I don't doubt that there are good surgeons closer to you too though.

Someone from our San Diego Bandsters group had his surgery in Norwalk I think? Kart Man is his name, you might want to reach out to him.

Welcome!! I am just starting my journey as well.. I wish us ALL luck and may we be half the people we used to be in the future!! :thumbup:

Edited by sandiegokate

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Hi there, I live in La Quinta as weel. I just decided on this surgery after looking in to it for 2 years. I am attending a seminar this wedneday. Can I ask what doctor you settled on?

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I ended up going with Dr. John Coon in Riverside. His program fee is $1,500 and he and his whole staff have been fantastic. They are located at Parkview Community Hospital which didn't have the greatest reviews but turned out to be a great experience. I had surgery on June 8th, have had no complications and have already lost 30 pounds. Dr. Coon's website is below.

http://newimagebariatric.com/index.cfm/PageID/7597

He also shares an office in Rancho Mirage once or twice a month but doesn't do lap-band related work out of it due to insurance requirements, but hopes to in the future. I have Blue Cross and they required that my surgeon be working out of a certified Center of Excellence, which Dr. Coon obviously does. My neighbors also each had a gastric bypass done by Dr. Coon and also speak very highly of him. Let me know if I can answer any other questions, I would be more than happy to help in any way I can. Congratulations on starting down this life changing path.

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Thank you for the info. And congrats on your success!! I am so dang excited to start the process!

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Congrats on your success! I live in the High Desert in SoCal. I am going with Dr. Krahn in San Bernardino. I hope to be banded in late August.

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I am looking into Dr. Krahn as well. If you dont mind me asking, are you using insurance? If so what is the program fee they require?

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I am using insurance (TriCare), but he is out of network for my provider, so I have to pay a $4000 cash deposit. I have not heard anything about a program fee. I think I'll be emailing them and asking about that. I've been to two seminars, and had my initial consult and program fees were never mentioned! Have you been to a seminar yet? Let me know if you have any other questions.

I am looking into Dr. Krahn as well. If you dont mind me asking, are you using insurance? If so what is the program fee they require?

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Well I had read on this site that many people have had to pay program fees ranging from $200 to $4,000! Even if their insurance pays 100%. I have not done my research on that yet though so I will update you on what I find out. I am currently looking at 4 doctors and the program fee is now going to be one of deciding factors. So much to think about!

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Scott,

I looked into Dr. Coon today and he is not covered under my insurance. :-( Thank you again for the info!!

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    • LeighaTR

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    • Doughgurl

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      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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