Shahram Salimitari M.D.

Hello, I have a question for you. I really like Dr. S. when you went to see him in his new office, did you have to pay for your fills (now that he is not part of the other office)?

Hi Laura,

I almost hate to answer your question because I don't know how he's doing it with other people, but no at this time he did not charge me. I had a lot of problems with an ulcer, dehydration, needint IV fluids, etc. every time I saw a Dr. other than Dr. Sal, they caused me more problems so he wanted me to stay with him. I actually had scheduled 3 other appts. with 2 different Drs. at Top Surgeons, but each time I would get worried and cancel the appt. I was just not going to get any more fills, but Dr. Sal insisted on me coming in to him. So anyway I don't know if he is doing that for everyone.

Dr. Salimitari did my surgery on 8/6/09. I have had bleeding at the port site and am hopeful it will heal soon. I too am going to see him in his new office at 9301 wilshire, although they don't always answer the phone so I don't know if his staff travels with him. Top surgeons will still see you, so I am unsure what to do. Now I feel like we who had Dr. Salimitari are left to our field our own ways. I don't feel like we have the support that they have at top surgeon.

I will take any help I can get.

yes, he is at a separate office now. 661 472-4917
He has been extremely kind with me

if you're having bleeding, you need to contact a Dr. if not Dr. Sal, then one at Top Surgeons. I know how you feel about being left out to fend for yourself. But I've been that way since I started with Top Surgeons. From the very beginning I've had nothing but problems with them. I started this process with very good insurance and it was approved and was going to cover pre op testing, surgery, post op everything, but the girl in the Apple Valley office screwed everything up, didn't know what she was talking about and I lost my insurance in Dec. when my husband lost his job, well she said that once the insurance approves it, they pay for it....wrong... 2 days before the surgery I got a call saying my insurance would not cover it and I woulld have to pay cash if I still wanted the surgery. Needless to say I was devestated, I was already set to have it done. Well after a day of crying about it my husband talked me into doing it and we would pay for it (that was my first mistake) then because my insurance was supposed to cover the cost, the girl cancelled my EGD appt. said if there was a problem the Dr. would take care of it at the time of surgery. (that was my 2nd mistake) on my 2nd fill Dr. Sal, wasn't available and Dr. T did the fill, he automatically put in 1cc, which was too much I can't do large adjustments like that. Then my problems began, throwing up constantly for 1 solid month, I was calling the Apple Valley office telling them what was going on, but Dr. Sal was never notified. As things progressed and got worse, Dr. Sal did the EGD to find out I had an ulcer. We then had to remove all restrictions from the band and start all over, this has all been very difficult for me, I've been in the surgery center 2 times and ER once with IV fluids. Then when Dr. Sal left I saw their new Dr. Powell, he refused to do a fill because of the problems I've had and would only do it under flouroscopy, I explained to him I didn't have insurance and would not be able to do that. He didn't care. I left the office in a severe anxiety attack and in tears. Dr Sal has been my saving grace through all of this, he's the only one that cares about ME, not just where the money is coming from. I since have received a bill for the EGD for almost $8,000. If it hadn't been for Dr. Sal. I probably never would have followed through with the surgery, he just made me feel so comfortable from the first day I met him. I think Top Surgeon's made a HUGE mistake by letting Dr. Sal leave, he's the only reason I have put up with all this crap from them, and as long as Dr. Sal will have me for his patient, I will follow him anywhere !!!! in my mind he is the BEST !!

On behalf of Topsurgeons, I would like to say that we sincerely care about your needs and welfare. Dr. Salimitari continues to work with Topsurgeons and performs surgery and follow up for Topsurgeons patients - he has not left Topsurgeons. However, he has decreased his schedule to have more personal time. You are welcome to call him directly on his cell phone and he will be happy to continue your follow up. Dr. Salimitari makes his own schedule and I am sure you understand that you have to coordinate with his schedule. We certainly understand you connection to Dr. Salimitari who did your surgery and that you would like to continue follow ups with him. We will do all we can to make sure this is done.

We are sorry that you lost your insurance and obviously have no control over that. Howevever, we will be happy to help you the best we can with your insurance issues and setting up a plan that will suit you best. Should you have any future concerns, feel free to call me directly at 310-710-0962.

We have thousands of satisfied patients successfully losing weight and enjoying a healthy fulfilling life.

Best Regards,

Brenda G.
Manager, Topsurgeons
http://www.topsurgeons.com
Weight Loss Centers
http://www.weightlosscenters.com

Hi ladies, I was suppose to get banded by Dr Ollie jackson just found out he refused to do me because I had not talk to my primary physician but I was told that though he Okd it Dr Salimitari was going to do it. I get banded tomorrow by the way, August 27, 2009

I see I'm not the only one with bad experience with the Staff. I am to get banded tomorrow (Aug 27) @ Tri City in Hawaiian Gardens and I did the blood work and xray @ Downey Community yesterday. After the Xray/Bloodwork I received a call from catherine saying that Dr Ollie Jackson who was to do my surgery refused to do it because I did not get approval from my primary physician so I would have to get his permission or meet Dr Salimitari Shahram to see if he Oks it. I called my Dr to get the stuff done, i am a day away from surgery and have no idea if I will be worked on tomorrow. I have no received a called from Tri City or from Top Surgeon. I have seen great compliments about dr. Salimitari here and its comforting but the staff need to be more professional, especially having a patient in limbo a day before surgery. I hope all goes good and I go to surgery tomorrow.

Good Luck!! We are really close to one another... I live in Norwalk, CA.

__________________
Darlene
Surgery Date: 6/18/09; 1st Fill = 3cc: 8/1/09; 2nd Fill = 2cc (total 5cc) 8/15/09; 3rd Fill = 3cc (total 8cc) 9/12/09; 4th Fill = 1cc (total 9cc) 9/26/09

Nice to see there is someone with a "name" to be listed as a manager there. Many times I asked for a manager, supervisor , some one to help me and got the run around, I was told someone would call me back, NO ONE DELIVERED AS PROMISED. My nutrionalist left after 2 consults, my third was delayed and never attended to, they couldn't locate my file. If I was not dilegent on my own I would still be wondering what was going on. Peter in records, that was crazy too. Couldn't get through to him either until I finally lost it after weeks and sent a sarcastic message through the weightloss centers website, got a phone call within an hour. took 2 weeks faxing TS daily to finally get all my records faxed ( they sent ONE test result each day after I had to fax and call) Then they tried to tell me they didn't have certian records and they were in SB... Annette in SB said NO all records were in BH. Not organized at all. Scarey. In my opinion the call center sucks, and what if you have a problem or need answers... you can't get them. I tried and I was nice, polite and understanding til the end. I am glad I didn't allow them to cut me open. In my opinion this is nothing more than a "band mill" and the patients are not the # concern. $$$ are. Have you seen the OR area in BH... and the "recovery area" and the hallway you are lined up in prior to that..... The only thing that is right is the over crowed waiting room in the front with the wide comfy chairs... And is the Nutty Professor "the fat dude" what is that about playing on the TV over and over again!!!!

IDK I say RUN LIKE HELL. If you have complications and call who is going to help you? Will you get past the call center, will the call be returned? Will the surgeon give you his cell # If you don't ask? And if has been given will he answer and address your needs. Dr T was kind to me at my "joke of a consult" However I even question that skill. My Psych Eval was nothing more than a slight 5 min Max conversation. I think they need a lot of work. It is difficult to check out the drs that work on you and things and licenses etc they are not up front and are too broad in their information. I am not even sure if they will tell you who does your pre-op and then who does your surgery etc ahead and what their credentials are.

I may get a lot of flack for this post but it is not only my experience but a couple others who were their about the same time as I was.

I have never had this kind of experience in my life with a medical office. When that little voice inside tells you something is not right.... LISTEN.

__________________
I TOOK my Life Back! NOV 4 09
NEENER NEENER NEENER! It's mine now!
FIRED TOP SURGEONS !!!
Changed to Dr Santiago HORGAN UCSD
reconsult, psych eval, nutritional consult 9/2/09

you'll be fine, you're in great hands with Dr. Salimitari, I would trust him with my life over and over again, You'll love him as soon as you meet him. Good luck and don't worry, you'll be fine!

Just got the procedure yesterday and I have to tell you Dr. Salimitari was excellent, I only meet him before the surgery but he made me feel comftable and asured me that I would be ok. Sometimes you just need someone thats just more than a doctor and he was that.

How are you feeling today?

__________________
Darlene
Surgery Date: 6/18/09; 1st Fill = 3cc: 8/1/09; 2nd Fill = 2cc (total 5cc) 8/15/09; 3rd Fill = 3cc (total 8cc) 9/12/09; 4th Fill = 1cc (total 9cc) 9/26/09

Im Hurting badly, but doing great. The pain, I wasnt expecting it.

The day after was the worst for me. It will get better... I promise!! Take Care!!

__________________
Darlene
Surgery Date: 6/18/09; 1st Fill = 3cc: 8/1/09; 2nd Fill = 2cc (total 5cc) 8/15/09; 3rd Fill = 3cc (total 8cc) 9/12/09; 4th Fill = 1cc (total 9cc) 9/26/09