Do Not Call 1-800-GET-THIN: OC Woman Dies After Lap-Band Surgery

Screenshot/Lapbandsolution.org

Paula Rojeski of Orange County planned to let her new life begin, but tragically, her life has ended after undergoing Lap-Band weight loss surgery. Her death marks the fifth fatal outcome of the procedure at clinics affiliated with the "1-800-GET-THIN" campaign. We've all seen the billboards, illustrated by a photo of a triumphant patient, along roadways encouraging desperate heavyweights to make that saving phone call that will help them lose "50 pounds or more." And we all know the catchy jingle clogging the airwaves.

Shortly after her procedure, Rojeski, a 55-year-old woman who, friends say, was not significantly overweight, was rushed from Valley Surgical Center in West Hills to a nearby hospital on September 8 and pronounced dead, said Los Angeles County Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter, according to LA Times. The coroner's office has since performed an autopsy but has yet to determine the cause of her death.

The second Lap-Band patient to die after the procedure at the West Hills outpatient clinic, Rojeski was ecstatic about her life-changing decision. "I had just talked to Paula the night before. She was really excited, really happy. She told me, 'I'm going to be skinny!'" said Rojeski's longtime friend Marni Rader.

Three patients have died after said surgeries at a clinic on Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills, which, similar to the West Hills clinic, has assumed various names. One name was Beverly Hills Surgery Center.

Rojeski's California driver's license described her as 5 foot 5 and 160 pounds. Rader estimated that Rojeski weighed about 180 pounds and "didn't think she needed [the surgery]. I don't understand why it would be worth the risk for 20 or 30 pounds," said Rader.

Droves of people do feel a svelte figure is worth the risk. Over 100,000 people dialed 1-800-GET-THIN during the first 15 months of business, resulting in over 10,000 scheduled surgeries. Often covered by health insurance, the surgeries can run patients anywhere from $12,000 to $20,000.

Dr. Michael Omidi, the owner of Valley Surgical Center, declined to return LA Times' phone call regarding the matter. But The Times did receive a statement from attorney Robert Silverman, which, according to Silverman, Omidi authorized.

"Any loss of life is tragic and our hearts and prayers go out to the family and loved ones," the statement said. "The surgery center you are discussing is fully accredited by a prestigious organization. It is my understanding that the center is conducting a full investigation of the events that transpired. Any reporting on this matter is premature."

Westlake Village Attorney Alexander Robertson, who has filed several lawsuits against the campaign and its affiliates, believes it's time for the Medical Board of California to act. "Clearly it sounds like there's something very wrong," Robertson said. "I just wonder where's the Medical Board in all of this? With five reported deaths, that's not just smoke, that's a forest fire. Somebody needs to investigate."

Rojeski resided in Ladera Ranch, loved dogs and worked as a buyer for an aerospace firm. "She was never married. She never had kids. Her dogs were her kids," Rader said. "That was her happiest moment, in the park with her dogs. She loved her dogs as much as she loved her family and friends."