Dr. Jamshid Nazarian

[WendyMary 0]

I am thinking of dr. Pedro kuri in Tijuana, heard lots of good things about him, since my ins wont cover it, its half the cost there, good luck with ur surgery!

I've heard of Dr. Ortiz in TJ.

[fujipear36 0]

Hi Brenda,

My surgery is Jan 15, but I might have made a typo and put Dec. Sorry. I was originally scheduled for the 5th as well, but postponed to the 15th due to the preop diet and the holidays and all. I don't think I will be able to do it with the holidays. I'm not that disciplined. I've been talking with Michle also, and she is doing so well. It's nice to know what to expect. I didn't have to do any authorizations or anything with the office, they just told me to pay 1/2 the costs 2 weeks before surgery and the other 1/2 to the hospital the day of surgery. Is that what you have to do as well??? The office didn't give me any other details about time etc. They said someone would call me just before the procedure to give me all the details.

Hi Wendy, I know...I won't be able to eat on Christmas...but that is OK. They told me told me to pay $150 at the physical, which is Monday. Then they told me to pay the rest on the day of the surgery (minus the $150). They probably had me do it that way because I just scheduled the surgery this last week. I had been waiting for Dr Nazarian's office to get back to me, but they never did and when Michele told me about Dr Owens...I called them and they were very good at keeping everything going so that I could get it done on the 5th. I understand that the pre-mixed Protein drinks at costco are pretty good. I'll let you know...I start on Monday...3 Protein Drinks a day...and that is it! (right?) I'll be checking with the doctor on Monday. I'm excited...and I already figured out how to add the ticker....I hope to lose around 75lbs! :tongue_smilie:

Brenda

[WendyMary 0]

Hi Wendy, I know...I won't be able to eat on Christmas...but that is OK. They told me told me to pay $150 at the physical, which is Monday. Then they told me to pay the rest on the day of the surgery (minus the $150). They probably had me do it that way because I just scheduled the surgery this last week. I had been waiting for Dr Nazarian's office to get back to me, but they never did and when Michele told me about Dr Owens...I called them and they were very good at keeping everything going so that I could get it done on the 5th. I understand that the pre-mixed Protein drinks at costco are pretty good. I'll let you know...I start on Monday...3 Protein Drinks a day...and that is it! (right?) I'll be checking with the doctor on Monday. I'm excited...and I already figured out how to add the ticker....I hope to lose around 75lbs! :tongue_smilie:

Brenda

Brenda,

What do you mean about adding the thicker???? The Dr. is so nice, but he is walking with a cane due to a back injury. He assures me it hasn't affected his surgery and I feel fine with it. He's very nice and personable. The office wants me to purchase the Protein shakes and vitamis through them and they really push it (the Dr. doesn't push their shakes). The kit is $150 and it will provide 3 tubs of Protein and Vitamins which should be enought for pre op diet as well and post op diet. They didn't mention it to you???? I was thinking of purchasing the kit just to be safe and felt it was comparable (a little more) than some of the good protein drinks out there. Tell me what you are using and if they tried to get you to buy theirs and you decided not to.

Talk to you soon,

Wendy

[fujipear36 0]

Brenda,

What do you mean about adding the thicker???? The Dr. is so nice, but he is walking with a cane due to a back injury. He assures me it hasn't affected his surgery and I feel fine with it. He's very nice and personable. The office wants me to purchase the Protein shakes and vitamis through them and they really push it (the Dr. doesn't push their shakes). The kit is $150 and it will provide 3 tubs of Protein and Vitamins which should be enought for pre op diet as well and post op diet. They didn't mention it to you???? I was thinking of purchasing the kit just to be safe and felt it was comparable (a little more) than some of the good protein drinks out there. Tell me what you are using and if they tried to get you to buy theirs and you decided not to.

Talk to you soon,

Wendy

Hi Wendy,

Yes, they offered to sell me the protein mix and the multi-vitamins (which, by the way, they quoted me over $200) but I told them I would get it at costco. A friend told me that the pre-mixed Protein Drink at costco is pretty good. My husband is picking it up for me at Costco today. I start tomorrow. They didn't really push theirs on me. OK, the cane makes me a little nervous...but I'm going to stay positive. And the ticker is the fish and bubbles you see at the end of my posting....it'll show how much weight I've lost as I keep posting on this forum. I go tomorrow to their office in Orange to do my blood work and physical. I'll get all the last minute info tomorrow. I'll let you know if something unexpected comes up in the conversation.

Brenda

Edited December 22, 2008 by fujipear36

[needtoseemeagain 0]

You are on your way! I went to my Nutrition appt at Rancho, but Chapman for procedure, my insurance pays for it, just wish the office person (to remain nameless argghhhh!!!) would get my paper work in correctly. The first submission was incomplete so my auth was denied, now they have supposedly submitted again but nothing has happened yet, so I am stuck in limbo waiting for my auth that could have been finished last week if all of my info was sent. I think they treat cash patients better than insurance patients because they get more money in hand. If I could pay cash I would love to just it over with, but I really don't want the debt if I can avoid it. If this takes long and I end up going cash, I will make some changes on a few things.

[fujipear36 0]

You are on your way! I went to my Nutrition appt at Rancho, but Chapman for procedure, my insurance pays for it, just wish the office person (to remain nameless argghhhh!!!) would get my paper work in correctly. The first submission was incomplete so my auth was denied, now they have supposedly submitted again but nothing has happened yet, so I am stuck in limbo waiting for my auth that could have been finished last week if all of my info was sent. I think they treat cash patients better than insurance patients because they get more money in hand. If I could pay cash I would love to just it over with, but I really don't want the debt if I can avoid it. If this takes long and I end up going cash, I will make some changes on a few things.

I went to Chapman today for my physical....i have insurance but i'm impatient...so I guess I'll just take the debt (my loss!). But in the end, I think it'll be worth it. Hopefully your paperwork will be processed quickly!

Happy Holidays,

Brenda

[needtoseemeagain 0]

Thanks Brenda, I am trying to hold on! Trying so hard!

[WendyMary 0]

You are on your way! I went to my Nutrition appt at Rancho, but Chapman for procedure, my insurance pays for it, just wish the office person (to remain nameless argghhhh!!!) would get my paper work in correctly. The first submission was incomplete so my auth was denied, now they have supposedly submitted again but nothing has happened yet, so I am stuck in limbo waiting for my auth that could have been finished last week if all of my info was sent. I think they treat cash patients better than insurance patients because they get more money in hand. If I could pay cash I would love to just it over with, but I really don't want the debt if I can avoid it. If this takes long and I end up going cash, I will make some changes on a few things.

Hi,

Just curuious, I went to San Pedro office for consult and physical and will have the surgery in Rancho Cucamonga facility. What did you think of the Rancho Specialty Hospital??? I won't see it until the day of my surgery and wanted to get a feel for it.

[needtoseemeagain 0]

Hi,

Just curuious, I went to San Pedro office for consult and physical and will have the surgery in Rancho Cucamonga facility. What did you think of the Rancho Specialty Hospital??? I won't see it until the day of my surgery and wanted to get a feel for it.

Hey Wendy, The Rancho is fairly new, clean, pretty, the staff I interacted with were very nice & professional. I went to the urgent care there when I hurt my hand also last month & all went well. The hospital is much newer than the Pedro office. The Rancho is FREEZING cold though, I can't imagine how cold it will be in the sterile areas, but in the areas where I went it was freezing cold! Hope that gives you some hint of it. It is right next door to a huge church and across the street from a ginormous strip mall.

[WendyMary 0]

Hey Wendy, The Rancho is fairly new, clean, pretty, the staff I interacted with were very nice & professional. I went to the urgent care there when I hurt my hand also last month & all went well. The hospital is much newer than the Pedro office. The Rancho is FREEZING cold though, I can't imagine how cold it will be in the sterile areas, but in the areas where I went it was freezing cold! Hope that gives you some hint of it. It is right next door to a huge church and across the street from a ginormous strip mall.

Thank you, that is so reassuring. I looked up some pictures online and it looks real nice, just good to hear from someone who has actually seen it. Also, great that you had a good experience.

Wendy

[curvesincali 0]

I had my surgery done by Dr. Milton Owens at Chapman. I go to Rancho for my fills and I love him, his office, the staff.

He is so wonderful and patient with me. He answers every question and makes me feel great after I see him.

I can't wait to hear how your surgery goes

[WendyMary 0]

I thought he was wonderful too. Do you have a blog or anything documenting your journey?? Can you tell us about your journey so far???

Wendy

[needtoseemeagain 0]

That is so cool to hear, I am with Wendy I would love to hear your journey .. it is getting close for me ...

[curvesincali 0]

Sorry.. I do not have a blog...but I can tell you that the surgery was the best gift I could have EVER given myself.

I do not regret it one bit. Follow the instructions and drink your Water. It is VERY important to follow what he says so you avoid complications. I have not had any and keep my fingers crossed that I don't.

My journey has been wonderful. In the beginning it was difficult to keep track of everything I was suppose to do... all of the appointments,dietitian, blood work... you name it I did it. After surgery I took it easy ... I was off from work for 6-8 weeks. I pampered myself !!! Nice change.

I joined a local ballys for two weeks for free then the next month I joined 24 hour fitness for free... just so I could work out while I was off.

When I did go back to work I started walking during my lunch break... every day or every other. Get all of your Water in also.

Now that I have had two fills in my 14cc band. I now need a fill. You can always tell because you are able to eat more than you could before. I am waiting for Dr, Owens to come back to get it... or go ahead and see the replacement dr. I try to keep my hunger under control with Protein Bars and shakes. Soup is good too... but watch the sodium.

Yes we are very close to one another(birthdays too )... if you want I can meet you while I am off from work during the holidays.

I hope this helps.

Curves

Edited December 29, 2008 by curvesincali

[needtoseemeagain 0]

Thank you so much, I will see if I can private message you my contact info so we can meet, am so glad your experience has been positive, it is so good to hear!