kygal,
I was initially self-pay, and had a consultation with Dr. Geller. He is nice enough, and I would have had him do the surgery, but my insurance company (Anthem PPO) added coverage for the procedure as of January 2007, so I waited. They will only allow Lusco, Olsofka, and Schuster. I am scheduled for lap band with Lusco on 8/15. My friend had gastric bypass with Allen about 6 years ago, whom he says is really good.