I am new to this site and would like to get some information on Lap-Band. I've started the "My Journey" on Lap-Band.com (Allergan now offers discounted and or free memberships to Curves, Lindora, and Fit-Day - check out their website) and I've been reviewing surgeons in my area (San Mateo, CA), but have not decided who I will select to perform my procedure.
I've been to the group in Burlingame (Dr’s Wetter, Foster, and Sanchez) and was treated horribly by their coordinator Janet (never returned phone calls, was not helpful with insurance, and seemed annoyed/agitated by my questions). The day of my appointment (with Dr. Wetter) I waited for an hour and 15 minutes before he saw me, he was rushed, and didn’t have the correct chart when he entered my room. He finally found my chart and from that point the rest of the appointment went downhill. I felt rushed, anxious, and he just would not answer my questions. I am a concerned patient (I hold a Master’s Degree and work with Physically/Mentally challenged patients and their families) and want to do my due diligence before I put fate to the test and have surgery by a perfect stranger. When I asked him about Lap-Band he moved the conversation towards the Realize band and told me that Realize in the newest and safest band on the market. By doing my research ahead of time I challenged him on his connection to Johnson and Johnson and he became very irritated. Come to find out Dr. Wetter is a “paid proctor” for Johnson and Johnson hence, he and his group recommend the Realize band for all their patients for their financial gain. This is a common practice in medicine, and should be understood by all patients before they let a surgeon select a product based upon his/her financial relationship with a corporation.
I am moving on and haven’t become discouraged by my experience, but rest assured I will continue to research surgeons and products carefully. Any surgeon recommendations on the Peninsula/San Jose, CA are welcomed.
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