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'''1-800-GET-THIN''' is a massive billboard, radio and television advertising campaign in [[Southern California]] for [[Adjustable gastric band|Lap-Band]] weight-loss surgery. 1-800-Get-Thin has developed an extensive marketing campaign for their services. Its billboards, radio ads, television commercials and bus placards can be seen throughout the Los Angeles and Southern California Area.<ref>[http://www.tollfreenumbers.com/blogs/numbers-2/800-get-thin.html</ref>
'''1-800-GET-THIN''' is an advertising campaign in [[Southern California]] for [[Adjustable gastric band|Lap-Band]] weight-loss surgery.<ref>[http://articles.latimes.com/2011/dec/15/business/la-fiw-get-thin-20111215 Lawmaker considers curbs on Lap-Band billboards ([[Los Angeles Times]], December 15, 2011)]</ref><ref name="LAT021410">[http://articles.latimes.com/2010/feb/14/business/la-fi-hiltzik14-2010feb14 Behind those lap-band ads ([[Los Angeles Times]], February 14, 2010)]</ref><ref>[http://www.latimes.com/health/la-lap-band-story-gallery,0,4358925.storygallery Lap-Band investigation ([[Los Angeles Times]])]</ref>

1-800-Get-Thin has drawn from the business model of 1-800-Dentist and currently is one of the premier referral sources for weight loss surgery. While 1-800-Get-Thin does not directly provide any weight loss surgeries, it refers callers to weight loss orientations located in several cities around the state of California. While attending the weight loss orientation, potential clients learn about a weight loss solution from a licensed medical professional. If the client is interested in the solution, they are connected with a doctor and then proceed through the proper legal protocol to insure they are an appropriate candidate.<ref>[http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/12/prweb9040481.htm]</ref>

In the summer of 2011, 1-800-Get-Thin expanded its marketing efforts and began advertising in the Bay Area, including San Francisco, San Jose and Oakland. [[Sacramento Bee]]<ref>http://www.being-obese.com/diseaseprevention/1323.html]</ref>

1-800-Get-Thin has attended and donated to a variety of charitable organizations such as Knowledge Is Power, Keep the Coast Clear, Life Rolls On, March of Dimes, Breast Cancer Awareness and the 4th Annual Men’s Health Fair. <ref>http://www.news-medical.net/news/20110305/1-800-GET-THIN-to-sponsor-Wendys-Knowledge-Is-Power-program.aspx</ref><ref><http://www.live-pr.com/en/get-thinsm-helps-keep-r1048789317.htm</ref><ref>http://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release-rss/1-800-get-thin-supported-life-rolls-on-foundation-236701.php</ref><ref>http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/04/idUS259766+04-May-2011+BW20110504</ref><ref>http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20111021006104/en/1-800-Get-Thin-Supports-Breast-Cancer-Awareness</ref><ref>http://eon.businesswire.com/news/eon/20110617006144/en/1-800-GET-THIN/1800GETTHIN/LAP-BAND</ref>

In November 2011, 1-800-Get-Thin commenced their “Eat Responsibly” Campaign. In the midst of the holiday season, 1-800-Get-Thin encouraged overweight and obese individuals to eat responsibly and focus on family and friends more than food.<ref>http://obesityandsurgery.net/1016/1-800-get-thin-this-holiday-season-focus-on-family-and-friends-not-the-food</ref>


At least five patients have died since 2009 following Lap-Band procedures at clinics affiliated with 1-800-GET-THIN, according to lawsuits and public records, and the [[California Department of Insurance]] is investigating the surgery centers for alleged insurance fraud.<ref>[http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Aetna-Targets-1-800-GET-THIN-LAP-BAND-138228704.html Insurance Company Targets 1-800-GET-THIN ([[NBC News]], Jan 27, 2012 )]</ref><ref>[http://articles.latimes.com/2012/jan/26/business/la-fi-get-thin-investigation-20120127 State launches Lap-Band investigation ([[Los Angeles Times]], Jan 26, 2012)]</ref><ref>[http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-fda-warns-against-lap-band,0,7685382.story State Launches Lap-Band Surgery Fraud Investigation ([[KTLA]], January 27, 2012)]</ref><ref name="Medscape">[http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/758003 Legal Problems Pile Up for '1-800-Get-Thin' Surgeons ([[Medscape]] Medical News, February 2, 2012)]</ref>
At least five patients have died since 2009 following Lap-Band procedures at clinics affiliated with 1-800-GET-THIN, according to lawsuits and public records, and the [[California Department of Insurance]] is investigating the surgery centers for alleged insurance fraud.<ref>[http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Aetna-Targets-1-800-GET-THIN-LAP-BAND-138228704.html Insurance Company Targets 1-800-GET-THIN ([[NBC News]], Jan 27, 2012 )]</ref><ref>[http://articles.latimes.com/2012/jan/26/business/la-fi-get-thin-investigation-20120127 State launches Lap-Band investigation ([[Los Angeles Times]], Jan 26, 2012)]</ref><ref>[http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-fda-warns-against-lap-band,0,7685382.story State Launches Lap-Band Surgery Fraud Investigation ([[KTLA]], January 27, 2012)]</ref><ref name="Medscape">[http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/758003 Legal Problems Pile Up for '1-800-Get-Thin' Surgeons ([[Medscape]] Medical News, February 2, 2012)]</ref>
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On February 2, 2012 [[Allergan, Inc.]], which manufactures the Lap-Band, announced it will no longer sell the weight-loss device to companies affiliated with the 1-800-GET-THIN marketing company.<ref>[http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2012/02/02/state/n164901S80.DTL Lap-Band makers won't sell it to 1-800-GET-THIN ([[Associated Press]], February 2, 2012)]</ref><ref>[http://www.ocregister.com/articles/lap-338575-allergan-band.html Allergan halts Lap-Band sales to surgery firm ([[Orange County Register]], Feb. 2, 2012)]</ref><ref>[http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-lap-band-20120203,0,5789911.story Allergan halts Lap-Band sales to 1-800-GET-THIN clinics ([[Los Angeles Times]], February 2, 2012)]</ref> On February 7, 2012 two of the eight clinics affiliated with 1-800-GET-THIN said they have temporarily halted Lap-Band surgeries.<ref name="LADailyNews">[http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_19915938 Lap-Band surgeries to be cut at West Hills, Beverly Hills centers ([[Los Angeles Daily News]], February 7, 2012)]</ref><ref name="LAT0208">[http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-lap-band-20120208,0,6117596.story Clinics halt Lap-Band surgeries ([[Los Angeles Times]], February 8, 2012)]</ref>
On February 2, 2012 [[Allergan, Inc.]], which manufactures the Lap-Band, announced it will no longer sell the weight-loss device to companies affiliated with the 1-800-GET-THIN marketing company.<ref>[http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2012/02/02/state/n164901S80.DTL Lap-Band makers won't sell it to 1-800-GET-THIN ([[Associated Press]], February 2, 2012)]</ref><ref>[http://www.ocregister.com/articles/lap-338575-allergan-band.html Allergan halts Lap-Band sales to surgery firm ([[Orange County Register]], Feb. 2, 2012)]</ref><ref>[http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-lap-band-20120203,0,5789911.story Allergan halts Lap-Band sales to 1-800-GET-THIN clinics ([[Los Angeles Times]], February 2, 2012)]</ref> On February 7, 2012 two of the eight clinics affiliated with 1-800-GET-THIN said they have temporarily halted Lap-Band surgeries.<ref name="LADailyNews">[http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_19915938 Lap-Band surgeries to be cut at West Hills, Beverly Hills centers ([[Los Angeles Daily News]], February 7, 2012)]</ref><ref name="LAT0208">[http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-lap-band-20120208,0,6117596.story Clinics halt Lap-Band surgeries ([[Los Angeles Times]], February 8, 2012)]</ref>


Published reports and lawsuits stated that Michael Omidi and his older brother Julian Omidi (aka Kambiz Omidi) own and control all of the surgery centers as well as the 1-800-GET-THIN marketing firm.<ref name="Medscape" /><ref name="LADailyNews" /><ref name="LAT0208" /><ref>[http://media.nbclosangeles.com/documents/bc-477064.pdf Whistleblower complaint vs. 1-800-GET-THIN ([[Superior Court of California]])]</ref> The brothers were featured on the plastic surgery reality show "[[Dr. 90210]]" in 2005.<ref name="LAT021410" /> In 2008 Julian Omidi's medical license was revoked by the [[Medical Board of California]] for not disclosing on a license application that he attended the [[University of California, Irvine]] from 1986 to 1990. The university expelled him in 1990 for his involvement in the burglary of exam papers. In its license revocation order, the medical board stated that Julian Omidi "has a penchant for dishonesty" and that his "misrepresentation and dishonesty... go to the core of his ability to practice his profession."<ref name="LAT021410" /><ref name="Medscape" /><ref>[http://www2.mbc.ca.gov/LicenseLookupSystem/PhysicianSurgeon/document.aspx?path=\DIDOCS\20090702\DMRAAABI4\&did=AAABI090702225619640.DID&licenseType=A&licenseNumber=71181 Medical Board of California vs. Julian Omidi M.D.]</ref><ref>[http://articles.latimes.com/1991-12-05/local/me-889_1_students-plead-guilty 2 Former UCI Students Plead Guilty to Stealing Tests ([[Los Angeles Times]], December 5, 1991)]</ref> In 2008 the medical board placed Michael Omidi on three years' probation after finding him "grossly negligent" in treating liposuction patients in 2005.<ref name="LAT021410" /><ref name="Medscape" />


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 20:40, 18 February 2012

1-800-GET-THIN is an advertising campaign in Southern California for Lap-Band weight-loss surgery.[1][2][3]

At least five patients have died since 2009 following Lap-Band procedures at clinics affiliated with 1-800-GET-THIN, according to lawsuits and public records, and the California Department of Insurance is investigating the surgery centers for alleged insurance fraud.[4][5][6][7]

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said that the advertisements are misleading and failed to provide mandatory information about the risks,[8][9] and U.S. House members have called for a congressional investigation.[10][11][12]

On February 2, 2012 Allergan, Inc., which manufactures the Lap-Band, announced it will no longer sell the weight-loss device to companies affiliated with the 1-800-GET-THIN marketing company.[13][14][15] On February 7, 2012 two of the eight clinics affiliated with 1-800-GET-THIN said they have temporarily halted Lap-Band surgeries.[16][17]

Published reports and lawsuits stated that Michael Omidi and his older brother Julian Omidi (aka Kambiz Omidi) own and control all of the surgery centers as well as the 1-800-GET-THIN marketing firm.[7][16][17][18] The brothers were featured on the plastic surgery reality show "Dr. 90210" in 2005.[2] In 2008 Julian Omidi's medical license was revoked by the Medical Board of California for not disclosing on a license application that he attended the University of California, Irvine from 1986 to 1990. The university expelled him in 1990 for his involvement in the burglary of exam papers. In its license revocation order, the medical board stated that Julian Omidi "has a penchant for dishonesty" and that his "misrepresentation and dishonesty... go to the core of his ability to practice his profession."[2][7][19][20] In 2008 the medical board placed Michael Omidi on three years' probation after finding him "grossly negligent" in treating liposuction patients in 2005.[2][7]

References

  1. ^ Lawmaker considers curbs on Lap-Band billboards (Los Angeles Times, December 15, 2011)
  2. ^ a b c d Behind those lap-band ads (Los Angeles Times, February 14, 2010)
  3. ^ Lap-Band investigation (Los Angeles Times)
  4. ^ Insurance Company Targets 1-800-GET-THIN (NBC News, Jan 27, 2012 )
  5. ^ State launches Lap-Band investigation (Los Angeles Times, Jan 26, 2012)
  6. ^ State Launches Lap-Band Surgery Fraud Investigation (KTLA, January 27, 2012)
  7. ^ a b c d Legal Problems Pile Up for '1-800-Get-Thin' Surgeons (Medscape Medical News, February 2, 2012)
  8. ^ FDA issues Warning Letters for misleading advertising of Lap-Band (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Dec. 13, 2011)
  9. ^ FDA accuses 1-800-GET-THIN of using misleading Lap-Band ads (Los Angeles Times, December 14, 2011)
  10. ^ House members call for probe into Lap-Band safety, marketing (Los Angeles Times, Jan 20, 2012)
  11. ^ Congress questions 1-800-GET-THIN ads (United Press International, Jan 21, 2012)
  12. ^ U.S. House of Representatives letter, January 20, 2012)
  13. ^ Lap-Band makers won't sell it to 1-800-GET-THIN (Associated Press, February 2, 2012)
  14. ^ Allergan halts Lap-Band sales to surgery firm (Orange County Register, Feb. 2, 2012)
  15. ^ Allergan halts Lap-Band sales to 1-800-GET-THIN clinics (Los Angeles Times, February 2, 2012)
  16. ^ a b Lap-Band surgeries to be cut at West Hills, Beverly Hills centers (Los Angeles Daily News, February 7, 2012)
  17. ^ a b Clinics halt Lap-Band surgeries (Los Angeles Times, February 8, 2012)
  18. ^ Whistleblower complaint vs. 1-800-GET-THIN (Superior Court of California)
  19. ^ Medical Board of California vs. Julian Omidi M.D.
  20. ^ 2 Former UCI Students Plead Guilty to Stealing Tests (Los Angeles Times, December 5, 1991)
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/?diff=477596247

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