"Top Surgeons"

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I have an appointment tomorrow for the LAP-BAND^® orientation. They have already called me and confirmed that my insurance(if approved) will pay 90%.
But I don't know where to begin... What if I don't like the surgeon, I didn't go through my regular doctor because I work with them and they believe in the good old fashion weight loss program.. (Tried and failed.)
Is there anyone here from Bakersfield, California area.. This group of doctors also work in the Beverly Hills area.
Just looking to see if anyone has any information.. I wonder if this is really going to happen...

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Thanking God for the love of family, The kindness of friends & giving me the love of my life.........

I would start by attending some LAP-BAND^® seminars. Usually the surgeon hosts the event. That is how I found mine.Go to the one tomorrow and just see how you feel. I would never deal with anyone I wasn't 100% comfortable with. My doctor just had a way about him. It was never a hard sell and he really took time to answer questions.

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Surgery 07/09/2008
First Fill - 4CC
Second Fill- 1.2CC
3rd fill- 1CC
4th Fill - .8 CC
5th Fill - .6 CC
6th Fill - .4 CC
Total - 8.0 CC

It's a drive but try Journey Lite they have a few offices. I went to Thousand Oaks & Ventura they also have Santa Monica I think. They were great dealing with the insurance and you have to love Dr. Billy he knows his s**t! If you have further questions send me a private message I would be glad to help!

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Band Date: May 13, 2008
Average weight before surgery: 197
Current Weight: 162
Self pay $14,500:Dr Helmuth Billy of JourneyLite

I originally went to them for LAP-BAND^® and while fighting with my insurance with several appeals I had Dr. Michael Omidi of Top Surgeons do my Rhinoplasty and Septoplasty (nose job). They are beyond understanding and kind there. Dr. Jullian Omidi (he prefers Dr. Jullian) is awesome that he is the one that will do your work up for your insurance. Dr. Naim is the doctor that actually does the LAP-BAND^® Surgery...Google him and you will see that he has a very impressive resume when it comes to Gastric Surgeries.

Ironically I finally got my approval today from Aetna after 2 appeals over a 6 month period. My only advise is his office staff, they are very kind and considerate however, if you go not keep on them they tend to procrastinate. Just make many follow up phone calls and you will get exactly what you want and need and if all else fails, call Dr. Jullian and he will put the fire under the office staff ;)

If you need more information then let me know as my surgery will probably be scheduled in two weeks.

Dawn

P.S.
My nose job was absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!

Welcome, Jill, and good luck!

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-109 lbs
top 299/ surg 275 / now 190 / goal btwn 120-140
5"6'

I arrived at their office for a Saturday seminar and was immediately treated badly. It was unorganized, crowded and unprofessional. Then I finally met Dr. Salamatari. That's when #*#* really hit the fan.
One prospective patient asked how many LAP-BAND^® Surgeries he had done and he kept trying to say "we". Finally when I asked him how many he alone had done he finally came clean that he had done less than 20. I asked when he had finished training and he responded last July.
Then came the cattle call. I was escorted to am exam room. I was forced to go thru a series of consultations. None of which I had asked about or wanted. I didn't want to be seen by a podiatrist for bunions or a plastic surgeon for breast reduction surgery or by a gynecologist for urinary accidents.
I left having thought that I would not hear from them again.
A couple of weeks later, I get a phone call telling me that Insurance does not cover the LAP-BAND^® Surgery but that if I pay them $18,000,000. cash they can do the surgery for me.

What they didn't tell me is that Insurance wouldn't pay them because of their center not being in network because they are not accredited!
Later I find out that their the same Doctors that have had their medical license's revoked and placed on Probation.
***1-800-GET-SLIM ***Weight Loss Centers*** TopSurgeons*** are all owned 100% by Dr. Michael Omidi (Medical License on Probation "90210" Doc Disciplined Over Lipo - TMZ.com) and Julian Omidi ( Medical License Revoked)

Their surgeries are done in unsafe operating rooms with unsafe physicians. They have no regard for patient safety and worse they are dishonest.

Good luck on your journey! Do a lot of research and it will pay off in the end.

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I did the seminar and was okay with them. I did some research regarding Dr. salimitari who now does the LAP-BAND^® surgeries. He is okay but not board certified. Has had his training done in July but has done over 100 LAP-BAND^® surgeries. I would appreciate any advice of how things went after surgery. I am planning on having surgery next week with them.

WEre there any financial surprises later? How were you treated just before surgery, right after surgery?

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I can't remember the specifics, but I do remember reading some bad stuff about this group--such as not really being board certified, having licenses suspended, etc, and trying to sell you boob jobs and and face lifts when you're reason for going was for WLS. There are so many great surgeons out there. Don't take your chances.