Regatas

Hi, I highly recommed Dr. David Davtyan. He is a LapBand surgeon and patient. He was able to lose the weight with the band and I also know that he is one of the pioneer doctors doing the procedure. He is very personable and patient. He came highly recommended and I'm glad I decided to go see him. He has a 'clean' record. No fatalities or even major complications. He is very thorough with his surgeries. He is a busy guy though. His office is packed on clinic days but that is expected from someone like him with his experience. He has several offices (he travels from to another different days of the week) but his 'headquarters' are Glendale and Cedars-Sinai. His office staff is also very attentive and has been working there for at least 5 years....that also gives you an idea of the quality of work. I know a few people there which now I consider them like extended family (!!). Call Nune or Arsin. Nune is the doctor's right hand person and she is very sweet and knows the office dealings inside out. My advise would be to call either Monday or Tuesday when the doc is doing surgeries and the office is less hectic. Wed or Thurs are extremely busy (clinic days). I was just there for an adjustment last Thursday and it was packed!! You will not regret it! Best of luck. Regatas.

Hi Lynn, Hang in there! Don't fall into those negative feelings or frustration. We have all been through that and you need to know that this will change. My advise would be that you start immediately doing research on the procedures and the doctors. You'll be busy spending time doing that and trust me, it will feel great knowing that you are taking the first step to remedy your situation. I have the LapBand and I love it. Surgery went well with no complications and per my research, that's mostly the case. My surgery actually took 46 minutes (!!!). My doctor (Dr. David Davtyan) was/is incredible but he is in Los Angeles. He is also a LapBand patient himself so I felt relieved to get the procedure done with a true 'expert'. I've only had 1 adjustment and it is going well. I had my surgery in early 2010 and I have lost almost 100lbs. And, best of all.....I know I won't gain it back - it really feels amazing. I eat whatever I want and I feel full faster (because you have to eat slower than before and of course due to the band). The surgery is the safest compared to other procedures and it's minimally invassive. It's done laparoscopically. Get started with the process, don't delay. Make it your # 1 2011 resolution and I bet you that by next New Year's you'll be celebrating your success!!! Good luck! Sincerely. Regatas.

Hello, I saw your post and was wondering if your 'lapband process' is moving along. I'd like to recommend a very good LapBand doctor, Dr. David Davtyan. My friend spoke very highly of him so I decided to schedule a visit with him. I had visited 3 doctors (I actually had a total of 6 but decided to go see my 'top 3'). Dr. Feiz was in the list but did not make the final cut. It was for the same reason you just listed...slow follow up and I had also read in a few blogs that he was not 'impressive' and just 'ok'. I also wanted to go with someone with more experience and knowledge of the band/procedure and not so much with the 'brand name' (Beverly Hills). In my opinion, anyone can have an office in Beverly Hills but not necessarily meet the 'high standards' if you know what I mean (!). Dr. Davtyan did my surgery early last year and I cannot tell you how happy I am now. I have lost almost 100lbs and I'm very close to my ideal weight. It's really exciting and it almost feels unreal to be where I am now. Dr 'D', as many people call him, is an excellent surgeon and he also has the LapBand. In fact, he is one of the first surgeons who performed the procedure back in the day when the LapBand got approved by the FDA. I did extensive research on him (I always do with absolutely everything!). I also found out that he has 2 board certifications - which is unheard off. He is very patient and for being a doctor, he talks a lot. He took almost 2 hours with me during the consult explaining every phase of the procedure and answered every single question I had. I left his office feeling relieved and ready to be banded!! Not one of the other 2 doctors took this much time with me and that was one of the deciding factors for me. I know Dr. Davtyan has a lot of info on his website including his CV! check it out (just google him and you'll find him). I also know that he has locations all over the place and his 2 main offices are in Cedar-Sinai and Glendale (on Brand) - that's where I went to see him. I wish you GOOD LUCK and I hope you join the group of 'bandsters' real soon!! Take care!

I agree. He does take his time to answer all your questions and sometimes he even goes beyond the question. You leave his office with so much information! It's really conforting to see a doctor who takes the time with his patients. I think this is due to the fact that... 'been there, done that' sort of mentality. He was obese once and did the Lap-Band®® many years ago and as a Lap-Band®® patient he knows how to live with it and how to make it work! He transmits his experience and knowledge onto his patients and this is KEY. He also takes all the precautions he can possibly take. I met a patient at his office who wanted to have the surgery at an outpatient surgery center but because there was a small chance of complications, he operated her at the hospital. Nothing went wrong during surgery but this just goes to tell you that he is EXTREMELY cautios and careful. He cares for human life, that is to say his patients. I have done extensive research about Davtyan and other doctors but Davtyan always comes up at the top. He has a clean record especially after doing over 1,000 surgeries !! I see that other doctors claim to have performed 3,000+ Lap-Bands...??? Come on! Do the math! Are you in the O.R. 24/7? How old are you? 85? Really?! A good starting point would be to check LAP-BAND®®.com. If you search on Google, you will find so many doctors but a lot of them are not even Lap-Band®® Certified - which means that they have not received the adecuate training or met certain criteria by the Lap-Band®® company. THIS IS A MUST IF YOU ARE HAVING THE LAP-BAND®®. When it comes to pricing....well, this is not like you are buying a car or a pair of shoes. We are talking about SURGERY - whether it is minimally invasive it is still surgery and you will be under anesthesia and not only the surgeon must know what he's doing but also the anesthesiologist must be a good one too! There are many unfortunate cases happening nowadays because some doctors who claim to be 'LAP-BAND®®' experts do not really have the expertise and know-how. My life is not worth bargaining with! I don't have a price tag hanging from my neck sorry! For those who are thinking about Mexico....honestly, Good Luck! You will need it. And, guess what? The LAP-BAND®® is not covered in Mexico - only in the U.S. Also...if something went wrong....you cannot sue them! and if you did...it would take forever to resolve....yeah, no thanks! I found several articles about banding in Mexico and my conclusion was: not in a million years. :wub: I suggest that if you are considering the Lap-Band®®, do your research. Schedule a few patient consultations with at least your top 3 doctors. The doctors who are doing well and do not need to make a buck on consultations are usually the good ones. If they charge for the consult or try to 'push' the surgery on you...RED FLAG...get out of there PRONTO. Davtyan does not charge for his consults AND he spends more time with you than the average doctor. That just gives you an idea of how good he is - in my opinion. You should be able to go home and have time to digest the information you were just given and to read the materials you were given (YES, Please read them). If you have additional questions, call the doctor's office or email them. Also, check their credentials - but you should've done that before you selected your top doctors (good sources: American Board of Surgery, American Board of Bariatric Medicine, you get the idea). Make sure they are Board Certified. I know Davtyan is Board Certified in Surgery and Board Certified in Bariatric Medicine. This is a huge ++. Good Luck!