Naw, I am not on the defensive, just wanted to make sure you and other readers understand. It isn't Riverside that doesn't include Mike, it is insurance that won't cover his services. Must just be for the bariatric surgery though, because his services were covered when they had to take out my gallbladder. I understand what you mean about not supporting the ministries, I don't either, I buy my vits elsewhere as I prefer to support US based charities.
We are all in the same boat here, no room for judging each other's choices, we choose what works for ourselves and there is no on perfect program for all.
BTW, love the picture of the saddle in the avatar! I am a horse person as well.

You are paying for Mike to be there because insurance won't cover it and he is one of the best and assists Dr Myers in every surgery. Makes it much safer since they have worked with each other for years. Plus, Mike stays involved with your after care as well. Some of the money goes for the psych consult, can't say I was that happy about that part, but I believe you can opt to go elsewhere if you wi**** was convenient though to be able to have all the testing done in one day and not being aware of other psych options, I did it. As for the products, yes you do have to buy the pre-op diet as the purpose of that is to shrink your liver to make surgery safer. After surgery and the liquid diet(provided by them), you can buy whatever wherever you wish as I have done. If you do buy your vits from them afterwards, the profits go to a hospital in Africa where he volunteers his time each year. He blogged about his time there, trust me, it is a very worthy cause.
Another thing about the money out of pocket is that the thought is that it will be more successful if you have invested your own money into the surgery and you have a financial stake in it. After all, the surgery is only a tool that is to be used properly, but can also be mis-used and thus a failure.

The purchase of suppliments from Dr Myers is optional, you can buy them anywhere. You are given the first bottle of vitamins to start, but he will also give you a script for prenatals. The extra program fee goes towards a 3 month membership at the exercise facility there along with 8 personal trainer sessions so it is money well spent. Also covers the lifetime access to the support group.
Was going to ask you who you had a problem with, but since it isn't his staff, can't help you there. I have never had trouble getting info from them, and all of his patients are given his personal cell phone number which he does answer immediately.

I am trying to grt rid of Dr. Meyers name on my posts. I am not going through their program. I looked through all the settings and cannot find how I got this on my posts in the first place.

They have sooo many extra required costs, and I question the ethics of docs offices selling particular supplements that you have to take....hmmmmmm.

Much thanks!

Meg's right about the Nutritionists.  They have heard it all and helped people thru it.  Keeping your NUT's number handy is a wise thing to do.