MGB surgeons in California?

I am interested in finding out if anyone has had the MGB in the SF bay area, and if so, who was your surgeon and how hard was it to get insurance approval for this?  I have the lap band in, but haven't been very successful with it. Thanks, Joan

I think the closest site to you right now is Vegas, but I heard there might be a California site opening in the future.  Go to www.clos.net to check it out.    I had mine done in Michigan and am extremely happy!!  I was self-pay.  I didn't even try to get approved from my insurance because they don't cover out of network at all and they only cover bariatric surgery 50%, after an 18-month physician-supervised diet!  Yeah, right!