Advanced Surgical (Skylex, Inc.) Bariatric Center

On September 12th, 2012 I had a routine Lap Band surgery with Dr. Liu.

24 hours later I was rushed to the emergency room in extreme pain. My stomach had been perforated and I needed emergency surgery to remove the Lap Band. I was in the hospital for 8 days and it took months to recover.

My follow ups with Dr. Liu were disappointing. He forgot about that near life ending incident and asked me how my lap band was - clearly he had forgotten. Many times I sat in my car after my appointments with him crying. I stopped seeing him after all he did was offer diet pills.

Four years later after suffering from very bad depression from my failed lap band I set out to start the process over again. I went to the bariatric surgery center at Cedars Sinai. I saw the brilliant, wonderful Dr. Miguel Burch who understood all my fears, stress and concerns. Unfortunately due to the policies at Cedars - I was not eligible for surgery there on account of my BMI (still obese, just not obese enough).

During the 3 month prep evaluation at Cedars, I was very emotional that I had lost 4 years and paid cash for a procedure with Dr. Liu - I never asked for the money back or sued (which every person under the sun told me I should have). I went to go see Dr. Liu as I needed closure and felt the least he could do was refund me the money for the new procedure. He told me he would do everything to make things right, promised he would contribute to the new procedure and even told the new surgeon he would.

Now as I have my surgery date with a Cedars recommended surgeon, I sent him an email with the surgery invoice as promised, as discussed.

He sends me back a terse email saying I am threatening and demanding money from him - really? That's how you handle this? Why make a promise like that and then say you are being threatened?

I guess in Dr. Liu's world asking for something you have been promised is considered "demanding" and "threatening".

Now he sends me the name of a psychologist... Gee thanks Dr. Liu - that would have been really nice if you were that helpful in the months after you had to remove my lap band so I wouldn't die. He says I should NOT get another procedure done because of my BMI (even though I have been told otherwise by the 3-4 top bariatric surgeons in LA). He is clearly reneging on his promise by saying I am not emotionally stable and he cannot condone a surgery. And says I am demanding and threatening. If I were that kind of person I would have sued him a long time ago. It was about doing the right thing- which I think is what life is about, which he promised to do and is now taking back.

I hope nobody else has to go through what I went through. It's been absolute hell.

I wish I had not lost four years of my life feeling abandoned and botched by his procedure.

There is an old saying...Still waters run deep. That is my impression of Dr. Liu. He has a wonderful sense of humor. An excellent Bariatric Surgeon, and knows his stuff. I had my RNY done on December 2, 2013. He answered all of my questions and even filled me in on some things about RNY that I didn't know even after all of the research I did. The office staff who I call my girls were prompt with returning calls, and very supportive throughout my whole process. Jayme who is the insurance coordinator was kind and helpful though the insurance maze. I know that this site asks that I post anything I didn't like about Dr. Liu and I have to say I can't. What I will say is that if you do your research, ask questions, follow the directions given to you, and DO NOT EXPECT the surgeon and his/her staff to fix you emotionally(that is what a therapist is for!) You will do fine. Well that's my experience in a nutshell.

Dr. Carson Liu and his staff are professional and empathetic. They have made my whole lap band experience a positive one. From the first meeting for my consultation, my surgery on 9/13/2010, and now the follow-ups, everything has included the best of care.

I'm a 41 year old wife and mother of two sons. My weight was climbing, my health declining and my quality of life was suffering. After researching the lap band procedure for a couple of years and changing insurance carriers to minimize my out of pocket cost, I was more than ready to make the change that has given me back my health and life. To date, I no longer have to take various medications, and am longer using my CPAP machine. I'm excited that the only pills that I take now are multi-vitamins. I make better food choices and use this incredible "tool" wisely and have the energy it takes to be an active participant in all that life has to offer! I highly recommend Dr. Liu and his staff to anybody seeking a highly qualified surgeon who will make sure that you are treated with the respect and care that you deserve ;) Shoniefur11

I was impressed by Dr Liu and his staff they we every informative and caring. He and his staff answered all the question I had about the lap band surgery. After talk to him I decided he was the right doctor for me. I had never had surgery and was nerves but he and his staff put me at easy and I remember smile the entire morning wait to go in for the lap band. They made me feel at easy I knew I was in good hands. This was the start of losing weight and Dr Liu was giving me the tool I need to secede. I received a call the following day to see how I was doing from his office and see if there was any problems or if I need anything. In the follow up visit I have had since have the lap band surgery he and his staff been happy as I started to loss the weight and I will forever be grateful to Dr Liu for given the new chance, a better outlook on life, and new self-esteem. I now am enjoying long walks and going for bike ride with my husband. I would recommend Dr Liu to anyone who wants to lose the weight and become health.

I was nervous walking into Dr. Liu's office. Once I met Dr. Liu, he put me at ease and got me excited about the surgery! I only had to wait two weeks for my surgery. When the date came, I got up early for the drive to Cedars Sinai. I was Dr. Liu's first patient of the day. He came into the pre-op room to speak with me and he put me at ease again. The pre-op nurse wheeled me into the operating room....and the next thing I knew I woke up and surgery was over. My stay in recovery was very short and I was released to go home. The following day, Dr. Liu called to check on my progress. That first day after surgery was tough, but each day I felt better and better. I was back to work five days after surgery. Three short weeks went by until my first post-op office visit. Dr. Liu told me how good I was doing and that I could get my first adjustment that day. I have had office visits with Dr. Liu every six weeks. We discuss my progress and how good I am doing with laughter and encouragement. I recommend Dr. Liu to all my friends and family who are interested in the Lap-Band.

I've always heard great things about Dr. Liu. When I was given a list of surgeons to choose from, he was at the top of the referral list. I went to his website, did some research, watched his videos, and checked out his publications. He is extremely qualified and has enough experience to enhance his surgical skill. The day of my surgery he took the time to explain everything to my family and every time I see him for a follow-up or adjustment he takes the time to explain everything to me. He always answers my questions in a way that I can understand without making me feel like I asked a stupid question. His interaction with his patients and staff are friendly, and he doesn't have that arrogant vibe like some surgeons do. Both his surgical competence and bedside manner are excellent. The only slightly negative thing about him is that because of his expertise and skill he charges a little bit more than some other surgeons. However, his billing staff and office has the greatest payment plans and are willing to work with insurance as well as the patient to make them able to afford it. Overall, I would definitely recommend him. The extra money spent is WELL worth it.

Dr. Liu is the best LapBand Surgeon in CA (at least). After much research I chose Dr. Liu to do my surgery. I am a complicated case due to prior ab surgeries (cancer). Dr. Liu was able to do my surgery with no complications and the recovery was easy.

Dr. Liu's team answered all my questions; helped with insurance approvals and provided a great deal of support. Dr. Liu provides on going support groups monthly which are great!

I have done every diet on the planet. I wish I had Dr. Liu and LapBand when I was younger. I would have saved myself many thousands of dollars on diet programs. Now I can feel full on a small quantity of food. No more starving; no more diet pills. I am easily able to just eat less and feel satisfied. This is great!

My first impression of Dr. Carson Liu, was a good impression, and i thrown back because he's young.
My impression changed when i researched his history regarding lapband surgery and found out his age didn't have anything to do w/his knowledge.
What did i like least about Dr. Liu, is nothing so far.
What patients should know about him is that he's knowledgeable, professional, & personable!
He emphasizes 100% aftercare to maintain a continuous healthy weight loss.
Yes, he has a team of professionals that help patients w/a structured aftercare program? such as: group meetings, finances, exercise information, diet supplements and other related items.
A 5 star Doctor!!!!!
He has both surgical competence and bedside manners!

After doing a year's worth of research on the various options for weight loss surgery, I decided that the lap Band system offered the most flexible solution. I met with Dr. Carson Liu and he immediately put me at ease. He understood my concerns with all of the options, and agreed that in my circumstances the lap band was right for me. Dr. Liu and all of his staff were instrumental in helping me through all of the processes involved with getting medical and psychological clearances for the surgery and insurance company authorized. After my surgery Dr. Liu and all of his staff continue to be helpful, supportive and encouraging. I cannot emphasize enough how happy I am with my surgery, Dr. Liu and his staff. 2 months after surgery and I have lost over 30lbs so far, and continue to lose. My sleep apnea has been resolved and no more blood pressure medication .I have more energy than I have had in years.  On top of it all his office staff in incredible!! You will never meet a more personable and pleasant bunch of people in your life. I can not say enough wonderful things about Dr. Liu and his staff .Thank you for giving me a new beginning.

I went to a few other surgeons before my appointment with Dr. Liu and I did not feel completely comfortable with any of them. The minuet I met Dr. Liu I knew he was going to be my surgeon because he just made me feel so comfortable. Beside that,his office staff was amazing. Them men and women that work there actually take an interest in you and your life unlike the Get Thin people whom seem to treat you like a herd of cattle. My only main complaint is that his location sucks. He is going to move soon, but right now he is located by UCLA off of the 405 freeway and you have to park in a city structure about 3 blocks away to get to his office.

As for future patients, I would recommend that if you are going to consider surgery you should have a consult visit with him just to try him out. He made it a very happy personal experience for me and answered every question I had and just made me feel completely at ease.

His aftercare program is amazing. His office staff will answer you via email in a few minutes or you can always call the office and get an answer right away. He does give you a packet that outlines what your life is going to be like post-op but he is very hands on with the aftercare especially with the fills and they ask you what I feel are the best questions to make sure your restriction is a comfortable as possible.

As far as surgery prep went, I did most of the research myself and was very well informed before I went in, but he himself also went into great detail of the risks that occur during and after surgery, especially in the long run after healing and weight loss has happened. He dose tell you like it is especially about the possible additional surgeries you may need to revise scars, move the port after weight loss, or even removal of your appendix or gall bladder because of the complications of severe weight loss in bigger people.

His surgical competence is wonderful. He dose a 4 incision operation instead of the normal 5 or 6 that other doctors do and he dose everything though your belly button leaving very minimal to no scars at all. His bedside manner is not so great but he was in and out very quick for my surgery and I mainly spent my time with my aftercare nurse in recovery anyway, so it wasn't that important for me. Knowing the surgery would be done correctly and that I would be scarred as minimally as possible and have a short recovery time was my priority.

Overall I give Dr. Liu and 10 out of 10 as far as he goes for being a doctor and a surgeon.