Dr. Atul Madan?? Any thoughts??

[GrownStatus 0]

Hello Everyone,

I attended my orientation this past weekend (01/22/2011). I went to the Weight Loss Center in San Bernardino Ca. Everyone was very nice there and seemed to know the process of how things work with my insurance. I go for my sleep apnea test on 02/12/2011 and another testing on 02/19/2011. I have one big concern after finding out who my doctor will be. I was told that Dr. Atul Madan will be my surgeon because he is the only one who has the privileges at a Center of Excellence hospital (Marina del Rey) that my insurance requires for the procedure to be performed at. After doing some research I found out that someone has died last month in his care. I know that things like this can happen and it may be due to something not related to the Lap Band. I was hoping that I can get some input from other patients that has dealt with this weight loss center in San Bernardino or who has had this doctor.

Thanks!!

Amanda

[fastpitchmom 0]

I did all my pre-op and sleep apnea testing the end of November and have been waiting to get approved and I was approved by my insurance the day before it was on the news about his patient dying. I also googled him and found out there was another patient that died Feb 2010 at the same facility with Dr. Madan as the surgeon. That made me quite uneasy. I just went this week for my pre-op visit with Dr. Madan and I had a lengthy conversation with him and asked lots of questions and feel pretty comfortable. I am scheduled to have surgery next Friday. Wish me luck!

Hello Everyone,

I attended my orientation this past weekend (01/22/2011). I went to the Weight Loss Center in San Bernardino Ca. Everyone was very nice there and seemed to know the process of how things work with my insurance. I go for my sleep apnea test on 02/12/2011 and another testing on 02/19/2011. I have one big concern after finding out who my doctor will be. I was told that Dr. Atul Madan will be my surgeon because he is the only one who has the privileges at a Center of Excellence hospital (Marina del Rey) that my insurance requires for the procedure to be performed at. After doing some research I found out that someone has died last month in his care. I know that things like this can happen and it may be due to something not related to the Lap Band. I was hoping that I can get some input from other patients that has dealt with this weight loss center in San Bernardino or who has had this doctor.

Thanks!!

Amanda

[GrownStatus 0]

Thanks for the input. Do you mind me asking what insurance you have? I am trying to get an idea on what lies ahead of me. I do wish you the best of luck on this new chapter of life. Keep me posted!! :-)

I did all my pre-op and sleep apnea testing the end of November and have been waiting to get approved and I was approved by my insurance the day before it was on the news about his patient dying. I also googled him and found out there was another patient that died Feb 2010 at the same facility with Dr. Madan as the surgeon. That made me quite uneasy. I just went this week for my pre-op visit with Dr. Madan and I had a lengthy conversation with him and asked lots of questions and feel pretty comfortable. I am scheduled to have surgery next Friday. Wish me luck!

[lakerdodgerchick 0]

Hi,

I had my surgery with Dr. Maddan on October 15th of 2010. I've had nothing but praises for Dr. Maddan. He's been the same dr that i've had perform all my fills and he's very accessible, I have his cell phone # and we're also friends thru Facebook. He's very open & will answer any and all questions. I wish you all the best on your surgeries.

[GrownStatus 0]

Thank you for your input.... i appreciate it... Good luck on your journey... :-)

Hi,

I had my surgery with Dr. Maddan on October 15th of 2010. I've had nothing but praises for Dr. Maddan. He's been the same dr that i've had perform all my fills and he's very accessible, I have his cell phone # and we're also friends thru Facebook. He's very open & will answer any and all questions. I wish you all the best on your surgeries.

[b_r 0]

I went to the weight loss center where I live and I felt really rushed. So I visted another Doctor and felt so much better walking out. Plus I didnt need all the test that the weight loss center wanted. After doing research on them I found out that they make you do all these test so they can bill your insurance, but you really do not need them if your BMI is greater then 40. I had Blue cross and they approved me with out the test. Plus after I told them I didnt want to go through it with them they still kept calling me. If I were you I would do my research. There are other doctors out there. I had mine done With Doctor K in Glendale and he is really good.

Thank you for your input.... i appreciate it... Good luck on your journey... :-)

[thsisme 14]

I don't know Dr. Madan personally, but he does have a good reputation out in the field.

The Marina Del Rey hospital is a small hospital whose staff are exceptional. They are well trained and know bariatric patients and their needs. I chose the LA Bariatric center there and am pleased with my team and the results as well as the care that I recieved from the hospital. It was very appearent that the center and hospital had a close and respectful working relationship. I performed my due diligence and chose the team that I did and the place where I was to have surgery very carefully and I have not regretted one single decision or point of care from them.

I am not making any excuses for what happened, but there is a mortality associated with any surgery WLS or any other type of surgery. IT may be low, but it is there. The question is what happened? Was it due to unforeseen and uncontrolable circumstances? Was it due to an oversight on the pre-op end of things, ie. labs, or any of the other tests? Was the patient(s) ready for surgery? Many, many questions that I don't have access to the information. People do die from surgeries every day, people who are not expected to die....

My heart and prayers go out to these families....

[KBME 1]

Hi Amanda, I did almost all my testing and stuff with Dr. Madan and found out that my insurance was also requiring me to have surgery at a COE(Marina Del Rey Hospital) I was quite lucky because the portion that i would have had to pay with Dr. Madan sent me into a search for a Different doctor that was "in network" for me and I found Dr. Jeremy Korman. He is the greatest!!!! (in my opinion) His office is at the building in front of Marina Del Rey hospital and even though I had already gotten approved to have surgery with Dr. Madan I had my insurance change my authorization so I could continue with Dr. Korman as my surgeon. I am VERY VERY happy I did that!!!

Hello Everyone,

I attended my orientation this past weekend (01/22/2011). I went to the Weight Loss Center in San Bernardino Ca. Everyone was very nice there and seemed to know the process of how things work with my insurance. I go for my sleep apnea test on 02/12/2011 and another testing on 02/19/2011. I have one big concern after finding out who my doctor will be. I was told that Dr. Atul Madan will be my surgeon because he is the only one who has the privileges at a Center of Excellence hospital (Marina del Rey) that my insurance requires for the procedure to be performed at. After doing some research I found out that someone has died last month in his care. I know that things like this can happen and it may be due to something not related to the Lap Band. I was hoping that I can get some input from other patients that has dealt with this weight loss center in San Bernardino or who has had this doctor.

Thanks!!

Amanda

[thsisme 14]

KMBE Dr. K is isn't he./ he is also my surgeon! the patient surgery occurred in the outpatient clinic in beverly hills, not the hospital. Clinics are scary places and you really have to know what to look for when considering surgeries in them.

[JENNALYNN007 1]

I had surgery Dec 7 2010 and Dr Madan is My Dr.! Love him! Every surgery has risks! And there are millions of reasons why people die!

[KBME 1]

My insurance required me to have surgery and a one nite stay at a Center of Excellence which was at Marina Del Rey Hospital. Dr. Korman is a great doc and I'm sure location doesn't make a difference in his performance. I have heard about many of the clinics :unsure:and a few people that I've talked to said they felt like they were being herded like cattle. I was happy with both my surgeon and hospital stay

KMBE Dr. K is isn't he./ he is also my surgeon! the patient surgery occurred in the outpatient clinic in beverly hills, not the hospital. Clinics are scary places and you really have to know what to look for when considering surgeries in them.

[thsisme 14]

KBME you are right. I was not talking about Dr. K (Korman) and location, Dr. K. has high standards and they are followed no matter where.

However people still need to be careful when selecting to have surgeries in clinics as some ( as well as some hospitals) do cut corners and if you do not know what you are looking for, then there could be trouble. Speaking in general and not with specific regard to Dr. Korman who is great.

[Research 0]

Choosing to have weight loss surgery is s big choice to make. When choosing a surgeon I would recommend you to do your research.

First I would go to the California medical board to check to see if any cases are being investigated. You want to make sure the doctor is not being accused if being negligent.

Second go to www.asmbs.org an search for a Bariatric center of excellence surgeon & facility. This organization completes site visits & audits to ensure that patients are given the upmost care to weight loss surgery patients.

Third is surgery and I would recommend a hospital setting.

You live in San bernadino.... I would recommend you to look into st bernadines or loma Linda university before making a final decision.

I wish you the best of luck on your weight loss journey!

[Gayle G 0]

Amanda,

Keep reading, do your own research too, it's all out there for you to find. I also had my surgery with Dr. T and Dr. Madan has done all my fills and follow-up appointments HE IS AWESOME!!!

My original Dr. also had some bad press earlier (he also lost a patient) but after reading all the media hype I started looking at it in more realistic terms, here is what I took into consideration;

One, we ALL have existing health issues prior to surgery or we would not qualify, this puts us all at some degree of risk but its the same for any surgery where you are under general anesthesia even having your tonsils out.

Secondly just like a plane crash it's terrifying when it hits the news but they NEVER say how many successful flights have taken off and landed without incident they only focus on the tragedy that makes for good news, it is the same here, they blow the tragedy out of proportion and prey on the fears of us, the people who are considering the surgery or who have had the surgery THERE IS ALWAYS RISK!!!! but the personal risk did not increase or change because someones worst case scenario happened.

Finally and this is just MY OPINION for consideration, does it seem possible the insurance companies might have something to do with all the increased publicity?? possibly trying to offset their burden because this surgery is covered by most PPO's??? The original news was back in December, now here it is February and the article has hit the papers again NO NEW INFORMATION...NONE! it is the same article just re-published to keep it in the public eye, they haven't even added any conclusions from the autopsy or anything. Anyway, you need to look to yourself for the answers, there IS a risk but is it worth it? Am I willing to put in the efforts needed to be successful? This is NOT an easy way out, it's a constant effort but if it's the right choice for you, you will know no matter what responses you get to you inquiry.

I wish you the best in your journey and can honestly say I would not change a thing about my decision (My husband and I both had our surgery done November 5th, 2010)

Good Luck,

Gayle

added 2-15-11 4:47 pm Dr. Madan has a Facebook page you can read unsolicited comments on, the only posts he makes are his whereabouts for the day ( which clinic he is at that day) so he doesn't toot his own horn, you should go read his patients comments it mihgt give you some insight to him and his patient care......I thought about it after I posted the above so I hope you still get to see it. You can find him by his e-mail lapbandmd@gmail.com or directly at facebook under facebook.com/drlapband

[skinnybitchtobe 0]

Amanda,

Keep reading, do your own research too, it's all out there for you to find. I also had my surgery with Dr. T and Dr. Madan has done all my fills and follow-up appointments HE IS AWESOME!!!

My original Dr. also had some bad press earlier (he also lost a patient) but after reading all the media hype I started looking at it in more realistic terms, here is what I took into consideration;

One, we ALL have existing health issues prior to surgery or we would not qualify, this puts us all at some degree of risk but its the same for any surgery where you are under general anesthesia even having your tonsils out.

Secondly just like a plane crash it's terrifying when it hits the news but they NEVER say how many successful flights have taken off and landed without incident they only focus on the tragedy that makes for good news, it is the same here, they blow the tragedy out of proportion and prey on the fears of us, the people who are considering the surgery or who have had the surgery THERE IS ALWAYS RISK!!!! but the personal risk did not increase or change because someones worst case scenario happened.

Finally and this is just MY OPINION for consideration, does it seem possible the insurance companies might have something to do with all the increased publicity?? possibly trying to offset their burden because this surgery is covered by most PPO's??? The original news was back in December, now here it is February and the article has hit the papers again NO NEW INFORMATION...NONE! it is the same article just re-published to keep it in the public eye, they haven't even added any conclusions from the autopsy or anything. Anyway, you need to look to yourself for the answers, there IS a risk but is it worth it? Am I willing to put in the efforts needed to be successful? This is NOT an easy way out, it's a constant effort but if it's the right choice for you, you will know no matter what responses you get to you inquiry.

I wish you the best in your journey and can honestly say I would not change a thing about my decision (My husband and I both had our surgery done November 5th, 2010)

Good Luck,

Gayle

added 2-15-11 4:47 pm Dr. Madan has a Facebook page you can read unsolicited comments on, the only posts he makes are his whereabouts for the day ( which clinic he is at that day) so he doesn't toot his own horn, you should go read his patients comments it mihgt give you some insight to him and his patient care......I thought about it after I posted the above so I hope you still get to see it. You can find him by his e-mail lapbandmd@gmail.com or directly at facebook under facebook.com/drlapband