Fifth Person Dies After Lap-Band Surgery At Shady Clinics
LatestIn December it was reported that several people died after responding to ads posted around Southern California for 1-800-GET-THIN, which connects potential patients to several medical centers. The clinics fall into a “regulatory no man’s land,” and at the time several government agencies said they didn’t have the authority to investigate. Now another woman who had Lap-Band surgery at one of the facilities is dead.
The L.A. Times has been covering the practices of brothers Julian and Michael Omidi for some time, and the doctors have unsuccessfully sued the paper on several occasions. Previously it was reported that Julian’s medical license was revoked several years ago, and Michael is on three years’ probation. Since 2009, five people have died at clinics operated by the Omidis shortly after receiving Lap-Band surgery. A series of wrongful death and personal injury lawsuits have been filed against the brothers and other doctors affiliated with their 1-800-GET-THIN ad campaign.