2 Q's #1-Blue Shield HMO #2-Any Heard of Dr Elliot in S Rosa?

#1 Has anyone had any luck getting Blue Shield HMO to ok a referral for an out of network surgen? I would like to go to SF Lapro Assoc in S Francisco but they told my PCP they would not issue a referral to their office but they would to an in network surgen. #2 They want to refer me to a Dr. John Elliott (?) in S Rosa, CA. Has anyone ever heard of him? Is he good or bad, how many surgeries has he done, etc? Any help anyone could provide would be most helpful. Thanks!

Post this question on your state board forum, and also do a search under WLS doctors on this site to see if anyone has made a comment.