Surgeon in Sacramento or San Francisco area

I am looking for surgeon recommendations. I had found one, went through all the pre-op tests, was on my pre-op diet and then 2 days before my scheduled surgery my insurance denied the plication procedure. I knew this was possible so my backup was to go big and go with the full RNY, but then my surgeon's office tells me that the surgeon no longer does RNY though insurance, only self-pay. I have Anthem Blue Cross. I need to find a new surgeon ASAP. I have met my maximum out-of-pocket for the year so my surgery would be covered 100% but it resets on January 1 and I will then have to pay my full $3000 deductible and $3000 out-of-pocket.
Any suggestions on who I should talk to? 

I'm not sure if my doctor accepts your insurance but you can call them to ask. Dr. Koura was my doctor but he is leaving to teach bariatric surgery so Dr. Eslami is the replacement doctor. I've met him and he appears to be quite knowledgeable and has been assisting Dr. Koura for more than 6 months that I'm aware of. The staff in his office are great. His number is 916-423-2116.  Good luck. There is also a Dr. Laura Machado, a good friend of mine had her lap-band through Machado (sorry, I don't know her number)

Marie

P.S. These doctors are in Sacramento

I think Dr Ali is supposed to be good. I think he works at UC Davis Hospital. Dr. Koura as you know is no longer there. This is the list from ASMBS. Ajay Upadhyay did my original surgery. He is at Alta Bates Hospital in Oakland and I think Hayward. Just ignore the Reno ones of course.

1. Mohamed R. Ali MD (Centers of Excellence)
   Regular Member
   Surgeries Performed:
   LGBP GBP
   Sacramento CA USA
   (916) 734-4596
   About: 3 miles
   
    
2. Aaryan N. Koura MD (Centers of Excellence)
   Regular Member
   Surgeries Performed:
   LGBP LB GBP
   Sacramento CA USA
   (916) 423-2116
   About: 3 miles
   
    
3. Laura L. Machado MD (Centers of Excellence)
   Regular Member
   Surgeries Performed:
   LGBP LB GBP REV SG
   Sacramento CA USA
   (916) 338-7200
   About: 13 miles
   
    
4. Donald J. Waldrep MD (Centers of Excellence)
   Regular Member
   Surgeries Performed:
   LGBP LB
   Roseville CA USA
   (916) 797-7555
   About: 21 miles
   
    
5. Antonio K. Coirin MD (Centers of Excellence)
   Regular Member
   Surgeries Performed:
   LGBP LB GBP GB BGB REV SG
   Modesto CA USA
   (209) 525-3170
   About: 49 miles
   
    
6. Mary E. Estakhri MD (Centers of Excellence)
   Regular Member
   Surgeries Performed:
   LGBP
   Pleasanton CA USA
   (925) 460-9000
   About: 60 miles
   
    
7. Yen-Chung A. Lee MD (Centers of Excellence)
   Regular Member
   Surgeries Performed:
   LGBP
   Pleasanton CA USA
   (925) 460-9000
   About: 60 miles
   
    
8. Gregory A. Broderick-Villa MD (Centers of Excellence)
   Regular Member
   Surgeries Performed:
   LGBP LB
   Oakland CA USA
   (510) 465-5523
   About: 61 miles
   
    
9. Ajay K. Upadhyay MD (Centers of Excellence)
   Regular Member
   Surgeries Performed:
   LGBP DGBP LB OGR GB FOLL REV GBP SG
   Oakland CA USA
   (510) 465-5523
   About: 62 miles
   
    
10. Patrick J. Coates MD (Centers of Excellence)
    Regular Member
    Surgeries Performed:
    LGBP GBP DGBP FOLL REV SG
    Modesto CA USA
    (209) 525-3885
    About: 65 miles
    
     
11. Gregg H. Jossart MD (Centers of Excellence)
    Regular Member
    Surgeries Performed:
    LGBP LB LBPD LBPD/DS GBP DGBP GB BPD/DS PED FOLL REV SG
    San Francisco CA USA
    (415) 561-1310
    (888) 848-8446
    About: 71 miles
    
     
12. Paul T. Cirangle MD (Centers of Excellence)
    Regular Member
    Surgeries Performed:
    LGBP DGBP LVBG OGBP BPD/DS LB LBPD GB PED LBPD/DS REV GBP
    San Francisco CA USA
    (415) 561-1310
    About: 71 miles
    
     
13. John M. Rabkin MD (Centers of Excellence)
    Regular Member
    Surgeries Performed:
    LGBP LBPD/DS GBP BPD/DS REV PED
    San Francisco CA USA
    (415) 668-3200
    About: 72 miles
    
     
14. Robert A. Li MD (Centers of Excellence)
    Regular Member
    Surgeries Performed:
    LGBP LB GBP REV FOLL PED
    South San Francisco CA USA
    (650) 742-2000
    About: 78 miles
    
     
15. John J. Feng MD (Centers of Excellence)
    Regular Member
    Surgeries Performed:
    LGBP LVBG BPD/DS LB OGR GB LBPD/DS REV SG
    Redwood City CA USA
    (650) 853-6600
    About: 80 miles
    
     
16. L. Albert Wetter MD (Centers of Excellence)
    Regular Member
    Surgeries Performed:
    LGBP LB GBP DGBP OGBP VBG GB OGR PED REV SG
    Burlingame CA USA
    (650) 652-0600
    About: 81 miles
    
     
17. Pamela E. Foster MD (Centers of Excellence)
    Regular Member
    Surgeries Performed:
    LGBP GBP LB OGR GB OGBP REV
    Burlingame CA USA
    (650) 652-0600
    About: 81 miles
    
     
18. Barry R. Sanchez MD (Centers of Excellence)
    Affiliate Surgeon Member
    Surgeries Performed:
    LGBP LB OGR GB REV FOLL SG
    Burlingame CA USA
    (650) 652-0600
    About: 81 miles
    
     
19. Deron J. Ludwig MD (Centers of Excellence)
    Regular Member
    Surgeries Performed:
    LGBP LB REV SG
    Chico CA USA
    (530) 891-1651
    About: 100 miles
    
     
20. John H. Ganser MD (Centers of Excellence)
    Regular Member
    Surgeries Performed:
    LGBP LB GBP PED FOLL REV SG
    Reno NV USA
    (775) 323-7500
    About: 114 miles
    
     
21. Kent C. Sasse MD (Centers of Excellence)
    Regular Member
    Surgeries Performed:
    LGBP LB LBPD LBPD/DS GBP GB BPD BPD/DS REV FOLL PED
    Reno NV USA
    (775) 323-7500
    About: 116 miles
    
     
22. Robert W. Watson MD (Centers of Excellence)
    Regular Member
    Surgeries Performed:
    LGBP LB GBP GB OGR REV FOLL PED
    Reno NV USA
    (775) 323-7500
    About: 116 miles
    
     
23. Mark D. Kozar MD (Centers of Excellence)
    Regular Member
    Surgeries Performed:
    LGBP LB REV SG
    Reno NV USA
    (775) 323-7500
    About: 116 miles
    
     
24. Mark A. Vierra MD (Centers of Excellence)
    Regular Member
    Surgeries Performed:
    LGBP LB OGR PED FOLL REV GBP
    Monterey CA USA
    (831) 649-0808
    About: 135 miles
    
     
25. Kelvin D. Higa MD (Centers of Excellence)
    Regular Member
    Surgeries Performed:
    LGBP LB GBP OGBP BPD REV FOLL PED
    Fresno CA USA
    (559) 261-4500
    About: 151 miles
    
     
26. Keith B. Boone MD (Centers of Excellence)
    Regular Member
    Surgeries Performed:
    LGBP LB
    Fresno CA USA
    (559) 261-4500
    About: 151 miles
    
     
27. Hormuz Irani MD (Centers of Excellence)
    Regular Member
    Surgeries Performed:
    LGBP LB OGR GB
    Bakersfield CA USA
    (661) 638-0601
    About: 258 miles
     

Thanks so much for the information. I'll be doing some research and making some phone calls!

Hi.

I had my surgery at John Muir Medical Center in Concord. Anne runs the program. I don't know for sure what insurance they take. They have 2 doctors that do the surgery and the program is really good. Her email address is [email protected]. I don't have the number handy. She is awesome to deal with, and should be able to help you with all of your questions. She answers her email pretty fast too. Good luck on your search for a new doctor. I hope you find one soon, especially since you have paid your deductible for the year.

Oh I did forget to mention that my insurance requires that I use a bariatric center of excellence. I'm making a list of places to check with. I'm even extending my search beyond the Sac/SF area and looking into one that is in Fresno.

   Dr. Cirangle of lapsf in san fran.   You will not find a better surgeon, and support team/staff!

I had Dr. Machado.  i was in the same position - my maximum out of pocket and deductible was paid for the year so I needed the surgery before year end.  I informed them of that when i went to my first appointment, and they came through.  I have Blue Shield insurance, and Dr. Machado is associated with Sacramento Bariatric Center, which is a Center of Excellence.  She and her whole staff is excellent and I would wholeheartedly recommend them. 
I am one week out from surgery and doing well. 
You will need to attend a seminar prior to the appointment, they have one coming up on October 4.  It should be a good one - top 20 mistakes weight loss patients make. 
Website sacbar.com
Good Luck!