Plaintiffs allege 'gruesome conditions' at Lap-Band clinics

Workers at weight-loss surgery centers affiliated with the 1-800-GET-THIN ad campaign persuaded patients to have medically unnecessary surgeries and billed insurance companies for procedures that were never performed, a new lawsuit alleges.

Paula Rojeski, 55, of Orange County died shortly after undergoing Lap-Band surgery at a clinic affiliated with the 1-800-GET-THIN ad campaign, according to records.

Two centers tied to the 1-800-GET-THIN ad campaign say they will conduct review.Two clinics tied to 1-800-GET-THIN have temporarily halted Lap-Band weight-loss surgeries after the device's maker said it would no longer sell to companies affiliated with the massive advertising campaign.

Lap-Band's maker, Allergan, will no longer sell the device to facilities affiliated with the marketing campaign.The maker of the Lap-Band will no longer sell its product to clinics affiliated with the 1-800-GET-THIN marketing company — a blow to Southern California surgery centers that have built an empire implanting the weight-loss devices in people looking to shed pounds.

A Simi Valley woman is the fourth Southern California patient to die after having the weight-loss surgery, according to claims.A fourth Southern California patient has died following Lap-Band weight-loss surgery at a clinic connected to the pervasive 1-800-GET-THIN advertising campaign, according to a lawsuit filed by the patient's husband.

Officials urge oversight of clinics like ones linked to 1-800-GET-THIN.Los Angeles County supervisors voted to press for new state oversight of outpatient surgery centers, a response to concern about the widespread 1-800-GET-THIN advertising for Lap-Band weight-loss surgery.

Last week, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie confirmed that he had lap band stomach surgery in February to lose weight.

The California medical board faults Dr.