Question:
Does anyone know of a surgeon in CA that performs WLS on a person with a BMI of 73?

I have been to the seminar and had my first office visit with the surgeon I chose,I have even had all the neccessary testing done....I was informed that my BMI had to be at 40 or above...so I had hope....but today the office tells me that I am not a candidate at this time for surgery in my area....Modesto, CA because my BMI is too high....I thought that was the point...I am morbidly obese.(I hate that saying) and I have tried everything to lose weight...but to no avail....I don't know where else to turn...If anyone has ANY helpful info on any surgeons in the CA area who would take a patient with a Bmi of 73 PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE let me know...Please e-mail me at [email protected]    — Linda R. (posted on November 12, 2003)

November 12, 2003
My mom had surgery with a Dr. Mathew Brunson at Scripps-Greene Hospital in La Jolla, California and she had a high BMI. You might try looking him up. She was very happy with him. Good luck.
   — blank first name B.

November 12, 2003
Hi Linda- You can call Dr Quilici's office in Burbank Ca. His number is 818-848-8311 I'm sure he can help you. I had a high BMI, AND had my surgery LAP. (starting weight 421) Hi works out of Cedars Sinani Hosp, and well as St Joe's. He's considered world reknown in the area of LAP RYN. Actually he invented some of the tools used today on patients of higher BMI's needing LAP RNY. He also has amazing aftercare program in place, various support groups, dietitian (who is a God Sent!), nutrition classes. Also, I started my process in Feb, I was in surgery by May. I could have even had my surgery sooner if I'd choosen. Good luck! I hope this helps :) RNY 5/19/03 421/304/wherever
   — Goodgirl

November 12, 2003
Hi, I had my surgery in the LA area by a Dr Korman, my BMI was 51 or 52 when I had mine done. My weight was 410 and had mine done LAP, here is there number if you want to give them a call. The Dr that assisited Dr Korman was the one who did Carney Wilsons WLS and the group he works with is out of San Diego and they are the best, so try him and let "Helen" the woman that will answer the phone that you got the number from me and she is great also. From paper work to surgery it took me 3 weeks but it might take a bit longer now but I dont think it will be to long of a wait. GOOD LUCK Tony LAP RNY DISTAL 02/19/03 412/240/200 800-491-1977
   — tonyskid

November 12, 2003
Bob Haller, Linda's post is exactly why we need to continue the Q&A. Her post on the message board got lost in the shuffle, here she received excellent help.
   — faybay

November 12, 2003
One of the most reputable weight lost surgery groups in Southern California is the N.E.W. Program in Huntington Beach. Dr. Quebbemann and Dr. Dallal are stellar surgeons who specialize in LAP procedures for patients at all BMI levels. (In fact, Dr. Dallal mentioned this past week that he performed the surgery on a patient who weighed 1000 pounds.)Both come highly recommended by many of us on AMOS. Here's their contact information: Phone 949-548-9312 http://www.weightcontrolsurgery.com Happy hunting!
   — Biking O.

November 13, 2003
Try Allied Surgical Group in Fresno, CA. Great Doctors . . . (559)450-3040
   — Natalie G.

November 13, 2003
Hi Linda, You might try my surgeon, she is awesome and in Pleasanton which isn't too terribly far from Modesto. Her name is Mary Estakhri and I can't sing her praises enough. She did my Open RNY in June of 2001 and then did another surgery on me in Feb. 13 of this year. I had a major bowel obstruction and had to be opened up again, it was quite serious and very scary for me, but once again Dr. Estakhri did an amazing job. She was part of the FDA Clinical trial for the Lap Band and specializes in laproscopic surgery. My RNY had to be done as an Open procedure due to a prior surgery I had for Gastric Reflux Disease; it had to be "taken down" before doing the RNY. Since it was more extensive surgery she wanted to do what was best for me. Anyway, if you'd like you can check out my profile at: http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/profile.phtml?N=Farlie951450181&NoStatic=1 Dr. Estakhri devotes part of her practice to bariatric surgery and the web site for it is http://www.4-anewyou.com/ and you can get the phone number and all info. on her and the program there. If you want to see my before and after pics just click on "before and after pics" and scroll down to Anita. If you have any questions about anything please feel free to write, I hope this info. helps. The very best to you on your journey - it is an amazing life I have been given a second chance at. Blessings and good thoughts to you, Anita Anita L. Farlie Farlie Design 510-797-4787 510-894-2172 FAX [email protected]
   — ALF

November 13, 2003
Hi Linda, I can totally relate - the first surgeon I saw told me I was too fat for surgery, too! It stinks, huh?! Here's a couple of surgeons that I KNOW are excellent (both have extensive published clinical data) in California: Delano Ara Keshishian, MD, FACS (photo) Karim Zahriya, MD, FACS (photo) E-mail: [email protected] Contact: Dawn Keshishian, RN or Dee Tinkle, LVN Phone: 661-725-4847 Delano Regional Medical Arts Building 1205 Garces Highway, Suite 303 Delano, CA 93215 http://www.gr-ds.com Huntington Beach * Ramsey Dallal, MD Phone: 714-843-5566 Center for Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery 17772 Beach Blvd, Suite 367 Huntington Beach, CA 92647 Los Angeles Gary J. Anthone, MD, FACS (photo) Peter Crookes, MD (photo) Contact: Maria Harrison Phone: 323-442-6219 University of Southern California 1510 San Pablo Street, #514 Los Angeles, CA 90033 http://www.surgery.usc.edu/foregut/bariatric/ San Francisco * Robert A. Rabkin, MD, FACS (photo) Contact: Barbara Metcalf, R.N. Phone: 415-668-3200 2250 Hayes Street, 3rd Floor San Francisco, CA 94117 http://www.pacificsurgery.com * Gregg Jossart, MD (photo) E-mail: [email protected] * Paul T. Cirangle, MD, FACS (photo) E-mail: [email protected] * John J. Feng, MD E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 415-561-1310 Fax: 415-561-1713 2100 Webster Street, Suite 518 San Francisco, CA 94115 http://www.lapsf.com Blessings, dina
   — Dina McBride

November 13, 2003
I also recommend Drs Keshishian and Zahriya in Delano, where I had surgery last year. They have a toll free #, 800-816-6647. They just tangled with your insurance and won! Call Dee or Dawn and they will help you. There are support group meetings around the state; if you call or go to their site http://www.gr-ds.com you can find out when there is one near you. If you have any questions feel free to email me.
   — Chris T.

November 15, 2003
Hi there, I will also have to say that you can't go wrong with Dr. Kesheshian in Delano. My Mother had surgery thru him and he and his staff are wonderful! Good luck! :)
   — Cinda R.

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