Program Fees Southern California

Dr. Peter Crookes at USC University Hospital is about as high quality as they come.  You didn't mention which surgery you were considering, but he performs all 4 of the currently available weight loss surgeries.

I only paid my insurance co-pay.  No program fees.

Hi I am a Kaiser Patient and my Hubby and I are currently in the Slow process to RNY surgery. We both started our Journey's in May and had our Orientations in August. We are still waiting to start the required classes and have yet to recieve anything even letting us know when our classes will start. My question to you is How long did it take you from begining to end before you got your surgery.
Thank you so much for your help.
                                              

It took about a year. Once my primary care physician referred me to the bariatric program, I had to fill out the long questionnaire then see their psychologist. I then waited about 3-4 months for the classes to start. My classes ended Jan.2008 and I have surgery on April 29, 2008. I had to have some additional tests before surgery, but it normally takes 4-6 weeks from the end of classes to a surgery date. Hope this helps.

Katt

Thank You Katt, I am just being Impatient I know. I am just anxious to move forward.

 Honestly, I did surgery with the best of the best. I had Dr. Quilici is an expert in this type of surgery. He is basically the guy that everyone goes to when and if their lap band messes up. He does 10-20 surgeries a day and normally 7-15 of them are WLS. 
I just had surgery on the 12th and had no complications. I went to St. Josephs Hospital in Burbank and everyone was amazing. His staff and him are one of the best doctors I have met. My insurance covered everything, from doc visits to classes and everything else.

But, really, it is up to you and your connection with the doctor you choose. I can tell you that the nurses at the hospital I was at, plus the charge nurse my mom has known for years and who worked at St. Joes for 25+ years, only recommend him. He is a brilliant man and really cares about what he does. He actually works on WLS and for people with cancer. In my book, you can't get any better than that. 

The 2 best WLS in the LA area do not charge program fees. 

Dr. Namir Katkhouda (Dr. Crookes works with him too, but I cannot recommend him)
USC University Hospital

Dr. Phillipe Quillici
Providence St. Joseph Hospital

These two surgeons work out of Bariatric Centers of Excellence.  The former is a professor of surgery.  Their backgrounds are diverse, they have both handled cases in which previous surgeons have BOTCHED their patients (in both WLS and Non WL surgeries).

I just called Dr Quillici,

$800 in program fees is what we are quoted!

Kristie

WTF!???!?  Are you kidding me? 

I have 2 appointments with Dr. Q and never heard that ONCE.

Call USC Bariatric Program. 

Here is USC's number   323-442-6219.

This is where I eventually had my surgery.  I was charged only my copay.
FYI, when you go with the learning institutions, you have more of a chance of not having program fees...(i.e., UC Irvine, UCLA, USC)

I was not asked to pay any program fees for my surgery, which was done at COE Torrance Memorial Hospital, about 15 minutes from LA.

Huggles!!
~Sarah~