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     Code created by Medseek, Inc. 2028 Village Lane, Solvang CA 93463.
     Phone 1-888 MEDSEEK. email info@medseek.com. http://www.medseek.com 
     (c) 1999-2006 Medseek, Inc. All rights reserved.-->
    







	

		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		

		
			
		
		 
		
		
		
		

		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		

		
		
		
		

		

		
		
		

			
				
			
		
		
		
		
		

		
		
		
		
		
		
		
			

		
		
		
		
				
		
		
		
				
		
			
		

		
		
		
		
		
		
	
		
			
			
			
		
		
		
	
		
			
			
		

		
		
		
		
			

		

		
		
		

			
				
			
		
		
		
		
		

		
		
		
		
		
		

		
					
						
		
		
				
		
		
		
		
		
				
		
		

		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
			
			
				
			
		
		
		
		
		
			
			
		
		
		
		
		
			
			
		

		
		
		
			
			
		
		
		

		
			

			
		
		

		
		

		
				
		 
		
			
		
		
		

		
			
			
		
		
		
			

		

		
		
		
		

		
		

		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		

		
	

		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		

		
			
		
		 
		
		
		
		

		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		

		
		
		
		

		

		
		
		

			
				
			
		
		
		
		
		

		
		
		
		
		
		
		
			

		
		
		
		
				
		
		
		
				
		
			
		

		
		
		
		
		
		
	
		
			
			
			
		
		
		
	
		
			
			
		

		
		
		
		
			

		

		
		
		

			
				
			
		
		
		
		
		

		
		
		
		
		
		

		
					
						
		
		
				
		
		
		
		
		
				
		
		

		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
			
			
				
			
		
		
		
		
		
			
			
		
		
		
		
		
			
			
		

		
		
		
			
			
		
		
		

		
			

			
		
		

		
		

		
				
		 
		
			
		
		
		

		
			
			
		
		
		
			

		

		
		
		
		

		
		

		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		

		
	

		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		

		
			
		
		 
		
		
		
		

		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		

		
		
		
		

		

		
		
		

			
				
			
		
		
		
		
		

		
		
		
		
		
		
		
			

		
		
		
		
				
		
		
		
				
		
			
		

		
		
		
		
		
		
	
		
			
			
			
		
		
		
	
		
			
			
		

		
		
		
		
			

		

		
		
		

			
				
			
		
		
		
		
		

		
		
		
		
		
		

		
					
						
		
		
				
		
		
		
		
		
				
		
		

		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
			
			
				
			
		
		
		
		
		
			
			
		
		
		
		
		
			
			
		

		
		
		
			
			
		
		
		

		
			

			
		
		

		
		

		
				
		 
		
			
		
		
		

		
			
			
		
		
		
			

		

		
		
		
		

		
		

		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		

		
	

		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		

		
			
		
		 
		
		
		
		

		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		

		
		
		
		

		

		
		
		

			
				
			
		
		
		
		
		

		
		
		
		
		
		
		
			

		
		
		
		
				
		
		
		
				
		
			
		

		
		
		
		
		
		
	
		
			
			
			
		
		
		
	
		
			
			
		

		
		
		
		
			

		

		
		
		

			
				
			
		
		
		
		
		

		
		
		
		
		
		

		
					
						
		
		
				
		
		
		
		
		
				
		
		

		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
			
			
				
			
		
		
		
		
		
			
			
		
		
		
		
		
			
			
		

		
		
		
			
			
		
		
		

		
			

			
		
		

		
		

		
				
		 
		
			
		
		
		

		
			
			
		
		
		
			

		

		
		
		
		

		
		

		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		

		
	

		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		

		
			
		
		 
		
		
		
		

		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		

		
		
		
		

		

		
		
		

			
				
			
		
		
		
		
		

		
		
		
		
		
		
		
			

		
		
		
		
				
		
		
		
				
		
			
		

		
		
		
		
		
		
	
		
			
			
			
		
		
		
	
		
			
			
		

		
		
		
		
			

		

		
		
		

			
				
			
		
		
		
		
		

		
		
		
		
		
		

		
					
						
		
		
				
		
		
		
		
		
				
		
		

		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
			
			
				
			
		
		
		
		
		
			
			
		
		
		
		
		
			
			
		

		
		
		
			
			
		
		
		

		
			

			
		
		

		
		

		
				
		 
		
			
		
		
		

		
			
			
		
		
		
			

		

		
		
		
		

		
		

		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		

		
	
		
	
	
		
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	

	
	
	
	<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN">
	<html>
	<head>
	<title>Frequently Asked Questions</title>
	<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8">
	
	<meta name="description" content="">
	<meta name="keywords" content="">
	<style type="text/css">
		
		@import url(default.css);
		@import url("healthsystem.css");
	</style>
<script language="javascript" src="scripts/weather.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
	<script src="scripts/AC_ActiveX.js" type="text/javascript"></script> 
	<script src="scripts/AC_RunActiveContent.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
	<script type="text/JavaScript">
	<!--
	function MM_swapImgRestore() { //v3.0
		var i,x,a=document.MM_sr; for(i=0;a&&i<a.length&&(x=a[i])&&x.oSrc;i++) x.src=x.oSrc;
	}
	function MM_preloadImages() { //v3.0
		var d=document; if(d.images){ if(!d.MM_p) d.MM_p=new Array();
			var i,j=d.MM_p.length,a=MM_preloadImages.arguments; for(i=0; i<a.length; i++)
			if (a[i].indexOf("#")!=0){ d.MM_p[j]=new Image; d.MM_p[j++].src=a[i];}}
	}
	function MM_findObj(n, d) { //v4.01
		var p,i,x;  if(!d) d=document; if((p=n.indexOf("?"))>0&&parent.frames.length) {
			d=parent.frames[n.substring(p+1)].document; n=n.substring(0,p);}
		if(!(x=d[n])&&d.all) x=d.all[n]; for (i=0;!x&&i<d.forms.length;i++) x=d.forms[i][n];
		for(i=0;!x&&d.layers&&i<d.layers.length;i++) x=MM_findObj(n,d.layers[i].document);
		if(!x && d.getElementById) x=d.getElementById(n); return x;
	}	
	function MM_swapImage() { //v3.0
		var i,j=0,x,a=MM_swapImage.arguments; document.MM_sr=new Array; for(i=0;i<(a.length-2);i+=3)
		 if ((x=MM_findObj(a[i]))!=null){document.MM_sr[j++]=x; if(!x.oSrc) x.oSrc=x.src; x.src=a[i+2];}
	}
	//
	function addEvent(obj, evType, fn){
		if (obj.addEventListener){
			obj.addEventListener(evType, fn, false);
			return true;
		} else if (obj.attachEvent){
			var r = obj.attachEvent("on"+evType, fn);
			return r;
		} else {
			return false;
		}
	}
	function DHTMLIframeHeight(){
		var z	=	new RegExp('lryParentmain[0-9]+');
		var x	=	new RegExp('Framelyr[0-9]+');
		var h = 0;
		var	a	=	new Array();
		var	u	=	0;
		for(y = 0; w = document.getElementsByTagName("div")[y]; y++){
			try{
				if(w.id.match(z)){
					var c	=	0;
					var d = 0;
					var t = 0;
					var e	=	document.getElementById(w.id).getElementsByTagName("iframe");
					for(i	=	0; i < e.length; i++){
						if(e[i].id.match(x)){
							c++;
							u=0;
							t=0;
							a[c] = e[i].id.substring(8,(e[i].id.length));
							l = document.getElementById('lyr'+a[c]).getElementsByTagName("a");
							e[i].style.height = "0px";
							for(h=0; classname = l[h].className; h++){
								try{
									if(classname == "clSubb1"){
										d++;
										u = 0;
										u = l[h].innerHTML.length;
										u = Math.floor(u / 16);
										if(u <= 0){u = 1;}
										u = u * 23;
										t = t + u;
										e[i].style.height = t;
									}
								}
								catch(error2) {
									//
								}
								
							}
						}
					}
				}
			}
			catch(error) {
				//
			}
		}
	}
	if(navigator.userAgent.indexOf('MSIE 6') > 0){
		addEvent(window, 'load', DHTMLIframeHeight);
	}
	//
	//-->
	</script>
	
				
<script type="text/javascript">
//<!--
var ns4 = (document.layers);
var ie  = (document.all);
var ie4 = (ie && !document.getElementById);
var ie5 = (ie && document.getElementById);
var ns6 = (!ie && document.getElementById);

var aryMoused = new Array();
var aryLayerMoused = new Array();
var aryMoImages = new Array();
var imageList = new Array();
var runMouseOvers = true;
var TimerID = null;
var iLimit = 25;
var itmp = 0;

var nbTime = 100;
var nbTimes = 2;
var nbThisLoc = 325;
var aryLayerNames = new Array();
var aryNavBarLayerInfo = new Array();
var aryNavBarLayers = new Array();

var registeredObjects = new Array();
var viz = "hide";

function MOImage() {
	var arg = MOImage.arguments;
	this.ptrImage = BillzNavBarMM_findObj(arg[0]);
	this.imageMO = new Image();
	this.imageMO.src = arg[1];
	this.HTMLname = arg[0];
	this.Moused = false;
	this.OriginalSrc = '';
	return true;
}

function BillzImagePreload() {
	// 0) html image name 1) mo image src 2)image Name for rollover key (rollover may have multiple mos for one html Image) 
	var arg = BillzImagePreload.arguments;
	nbImagePreload(arg[0], arg[1], arg[2]);
}

function nbImagePreload(img_name, mo_img_src, rollover_key_img_name) {
	var imageKey = (rollover_key_img_name.length > 0) ? rollover_key_img_name : img_name;
	imageList[imageList.length] = imageKey;
	if (!(aryMoImages[imageKey])) aryMoImages[imageKey] = new MOImage(img_name, mo_img_src);
}

function BillzMouseover() {
	var arg = null;
	if (runMouseOvers) {		
		arg = BillzMouseover.arguments; //args 0)ImageName 1)OriginalSrc 2)array index (caller imagename)		
		nbMouseover(arg[0], arg[1], arg[2]);
	}
	return true;
}
// args 1) ImageName 2) OriginalSrc 3) array index (caller imagename)
function nbMouseover(img_name, orig_src, img_key) {
	var imageKey = null;
	var o = null;
	if (runMouseOvers) 
	{				
		imageKey = (img_key.length > 0) ? img_key : img_name;
		if (!(aryMoImages[imageKey].ptrImage)) aryMoImages[imageKey].ptrImage = BillzNavBarMM_findObj(img_name);		
		if (aryMoImages[imageKey] && (o = aryMoImages[imageKey].ptrImage)) {
			aryMoImages[imageKey].OriginalSrc = orig_src;
			aryMoImages[imageKey].Moused = true;
			o.src = aryMoImages[imageKey].imageMO.src;
		}
	}
	return true;
}

var NavBarTempOnload = null;
if (window.onload && window.onload != null) NavBarTempOnload = window.onload;

function FullyLoaded() {
	if (NavBarTempOnload != null) NavBarTempOnload();
	runMouseOvers = true;
	return true;
}

function BillzMouseOutTimer() {
	return nbMouseOutTimer();
}

function nbMouseOutTimer() {
	if (TimerID) clearTimeout(TimerID);
	TimerID = setTimeout("nbLayerRestore()",5000);
	return true;
}

function RestoreAll() {
	nbMouseoverRestore();
	nbLayerRestore();
	return true;
}

function BillzMouseoverRestore() {
	return nbMouseoverRestore();
}

function nbMouseoverRestore() {
	var i = 0;
	var o = null;
	if (runMouseOvers) {
		for (i = 0; i < imageList.length; i++) {
			if (aryMoImages[imageList[i]].Moused && (o = aryMoImages[imageList[i]].ptrImage)) {
				o.src = aryMoImages[imageList[i]].OriginalSrc;
				aryMoImages[imageList[i]].Moused = false;
			}
		}
	}
	return true;
}

function BillzLayerRestore() {
	return nbLayerRestore();
}

function nbLayerRestore() {
	var i = 0;
	for (i = 0; i < aryLayerNames.length; i++) {
		if (!aryNavBarLayerInfo[aryLayerNames[i]].isDefault) BillzNavBarRestoreLayers(aryLayerNames[i]);	
	}
	return true;
}

function BillzArrayPushUnique(aryArray, varNewElement) { //only pushes if unique value
	var pushIt = true;
	var i = 0;
	for (i = 0; i < aryArray.length && pushIt; i++) {
		pushIt = (varNewElement != aryArray[i]);
	}
	if (pushIt) BillzArrayPush(aryArray, varNewElement);
	return pushIt;
}

function BillzArrayPush(aryArray, varNewElement) { //Implement Array Push 'cause IE cant handle it
	aryArray[aryArray.length] = varNewElement;
	return true;
}
function BillzArrayPop(aryArray) { //Implement Array Pop 'cause IE cant handle it before 5.5
	var varItemToPop = null;
	if (aryArray[aryArray.length - 1]) {
		varItemToPop = aryArray[aryArray.length - 1];
		aryArray[aryArray.length] = null;
	}
	return varItemToPop;
}

function getDivRef(id) {
	var divref;
	if(ns4) divref = document.layers[id];
	else if(ie4) divref = document.all[id];
	else if(ie5 || ns6) divref = document.getElementById(id);	
	return divref;
}

//v3.0 name changed to avoid clash with possible other JS in content, this function complements of MM Dreamweaver
function NavBarSwapRollover(swapimage,defaultimage,imageID) {
	if(imageID.length > 0 && document.getElementById(imageID))
	{
		if(swapimage.length > 0) 
			document.getElementById(imageID).src = "images/" + swapimage;
		else
			document.getElementById(imageID).src = "images/" + defaultimage;		
	}
}
function BillzNavBarMM_findObj(n, d) {
	var p,i,x;
	if (ns6) x = document.getElementById(n);
	else {		
		if (registeredObjects[n]) return registeredObjects[n];
		if (!(d)) d = document;
		try {
			p = n.indexOf("?");
		}
		catch(e) {
			p = 0;
		}
		if (p > 0 && parent.frames.length) {
			d = parent.frames[n.substring(p+1)].document;
			n = n.substring(0,p);
		}
		if (!(x = d[n]) && d.all) x = d.all[n];	
		for (i = 0; !x && i < d.forms.length; i++) {
			x = d.forms[i][n];
		}
		for (i=0; !x && d.layers && i < d.layers.length; i++) {
			if (d.layers[i].id.indexOf("external_") == -1) x = BillzNavBarMM_findObj(n, d.layers[i].document);	
		}
		registeredObjects[n] = x;
	}				
	return x;
}

function BillzArrayContains() {
	var arg = BillzArrayContains.arguments;
	var foundit = false;
	var i = 0;
	for (i = 0; i < arg[0].length && !foundit; i++) {
		foundit = (arg[1] == arg[0][i]);
	}
	return foundit;
}

function NavBarRegisterLayer() {
	var arg = NavBarRegisterLayer.arguments;
	var n = arg[0];
	var d = arg[1];
	var mo = false;
	var o = null;
	if (arg[2] && arg[2] == 'MOutLayer') mo = true;
	else mo = false;
	
	if (!(BillzArrayContains(aryLayerNames, n))) {
		if (o = BillzNavBarMM_findObj(n)) {
			aryNavBarLayers[n] = o;
			BillzArrayPushUnique(aryLayerNames, n);
			aryNavBarLayerInfo[n] = new NavBarLayer(n, d, mo);
		}
	}
	return true;
}

function BillzNavBarMM_showHideLayers() {
	//v3.0 name changed, this function complements of MM Dreamweaver with customizations by Bill Heller
	var i = 0;
	var x = "";
	var obj = null;
	var v = null;
	var p = null;
	var args = BillzNavBarMM_showHideLayers.arguments;
	
	if (args[args.length - 1] != "menu") nbMouseOutTimer();
	for (i = 0; i < (args.length - 2); i += 3) {
		if (!aryNavBarLayers[args[i]]) {
			x = (args[i + 2] == 'show') ? 'hide' : 'show';
			NavBarRegisterLayer(args[i], x);
		}
		if ((obj = aryNavBarLayers[args[i]]) != null) {
			v = args[i + 2];
			aryNavBarLayerInfo[args[i]].isDefault = false;
			if (args[args.length - 1] == "restore") v = (v == 'show') ? 'hide' : 'show';
			
			if (obj.style) obj.style.visibility = (v == 'show') ? 'visible' : ((v == 'hide') ? 'hidden' : v);
			else obj.visibility = v;
		}
	}
	return true;
}

function BillzNavBarRestoreLayers() {
	var i = 0;
	var x = "";
	var obj = null;
	var v = null;
	var p = null;
	var args = BillzNavBarRestoreLayers.arguments;
	for (i = 0; i < (args.length); i++) {
		if (obj = aryNavBarLayers[args[i]]) {
			v = aryNavBarLayerInfo[args[i]].defaultVisibility;
			if (obj.style) {
				obj = obj.style;
				v = (v == 'show' ) ? 'visible' : ((v == 'hide') ? 'hidden' : v);
			}
			obj.visibility = v;
			if (!aryNavBarLayerInfo[args[i]].MOutLayer) aryNavBarLayerInfo[args[i]].isDefault = true;			
		}
	}
	return true;
}

function NavBarLayer() {
	var arg = NavBarLayer.arguments;
	this.defaultVisibility = arg[1];
	this.isDefault = true;
	this.MOutLayer = arg[2];
	return true;
}

function BillzNavMove() {
	return nbNavMove();
}

function nbNavMove() {
	var thisl = null;
	var otherl = null;
	if (thisl = BillzNavBarMM_findObj("nbScrollLayer")) {
		if (thisl.style) {
			thisl = thisl.style;
			viz = "hidden";
		} 
		thisl.top = nbThisLoc -= 3;
		if (nbThisLoc < -750) {
			nbThisLoc = 325;
			nbTimes--;
		}
	}
	if (nbTimes <= 0) {
		otherl = BillzNavBarMM_findObj("BillzLayer");
		otherl.visibility = viz;
	} else {
		setTimeout("nbNavMove()", nbTime);
	}	
	return true;
}

function NavBar_openadmin() {
	window.open('admin/','SiteAdmin','height=screen.availheight,width=screen.availwidth,scrollbars=1,toolbar=0,directories=0,status=0,menubar=0,resizable=1');
	return true;
}

window.onload = FullyLoaded;
//-->
</script>
					
<script type="text/javascript">
//<!--
function NavBar_setCookie(cookievalue,navVersion,linkID) 
{	
	var cookiename = "SLIDINGTABLE_NAVBAR" + navVersion;
	var cookieVersionname = "SLIDINGTBL_NAVBAR_VERSION";
	var cookieClear = "SLIDINGTBL_NAVBAR_CLEARCOOKIES";	
	document.cookie = cookieClear.toUpperCase() + "=false";
	if(cookievalue.length > 0)
		document.cookie = cookiename.toUpperCase() + "=" + escape(cookievalue);
	if(navVersion.length > 0)	
		document.cookie = cookieVersionname.toUpperCase() + "=" + navVersion;	
	if(linkID.length > 0)
		NavBar_setPLinkIDCookie(linkID,navVersion);		
}
function NavBar_setoLevelIDCookie(cookievalue,linkID,navVersion) 
{
	var name = "SLIDINGTBL_NAVBAR_OLEVELID";		
	if(cookievalue.length > 0)
		document.cookie = name.toUpperCase() + "=" + escape(cookievalue);	
	if(linkID.length > 0)
		NavBar_setPLinkIDCookie(linkID,navVersion);	
	if(navVersion.length > 0)	
		document.cookie = "SLIDINGTBL_NAVBAR_VERSION=" + navVersion;		
}
function NavBar_setPLinkIDCookie(linkID,navVersion)
{	
	document.cookie = "SLIDINGTBL_NAVBAR_PLINKID=" + linkID;	
	if(navVersion.length > 0)	
		document.cookie = "SLIDINGTBL_NAVBAR_VERSION=" + navVersion;
}
function NavBar_deleteCookie() 
{
	// first we'll split this cookie up into name/value pairs
	// note: document.cookie only returns name=value, not the other components
	var check_name = "SLIDINGTABLE_NAVBAR";	
	var a_all_cookies = document.cookie.split( ';' );
	var a_temp_cookie = '';
	var cookie_name = '';
	var cookie_value = '';
	var b_cookie_found = false; // set boolean t/f default f	

	document.cookie = "SLIDINGTBL_NAVBAR_VERSION=0";	
	document.cookie = "SLIDINGTBL_NAVBAR_OLEVELID=";	
	for (i = 0; i < a_all_cookies.length; i++)
	{		
		a_temp_cookie = a_all_cookies[i].split( '=' );			
		cookie_name = a_temp_cookie[0].replace(/^\s+|\s+$/g, '');
		
		//expire all cookies for every slidingTable_navbar intances.			
		if (cookie_name.toUpperCase().indexOf(check_name) == 0)		
			document.cookie = cookie_name.toUpperCase() + "=";			 	
	}	
}
		
//-->
</script>
			
				
<script type="text/javascript">
//<!--
				
nbImagePreload('footer_ucla_2_1','images/footer_ucla_on.gif', '');
nbImagePreload('footer_wheelchair_2_5','images/footer_wheelchair_on.gif', '');

//-->
</script>
<script type="text/javascript">
//<!--
function NavBar_setCookie(cookievalue,navVersion,linkID) 
{	
	var cookiename = "SLIDINGTABLE_NAVBAR" + navVersion;
	var cookieVersionname = "SLIDINGTBL_NAVBAR_VERSION";
	var cookieClear = "SLIDINGTBL_NAVBAR_CLEARCOOKIES";	
	document.cookie = cookieClear.toUpperCase() + "=false";
	if(cookievalue.length > 0)
		document.cookie = cookiename.toUpperCase() + "=" + escape(cookievalue);
	if(navVersion.length > 0)	
		document.cookie = cookieVersionname.toUpperCase() + "=" + navVersion;	
	if(linkID.length > 0)
		NavBar_setPLinkIDCookie(linkID,navVersion);		
}
function NavBar_setoLevelIDCookie(cookievalue,linkID,navVersion) 
{
	var name = "SLIDINGTBL_NAVBAR_OLEVELID";		
	if(cookievalue.length > 0)
		document.cookie = name.toUpperCase() + "=" + escape(cookievalue);	
	if(linkID.length > 0)
		NavBar_setPLinkIDCookie(linkID,navVersion);	
	if(navVersion.length > 0)	
		document.cookie = "SLIDINGTBL_NAVBAR_VERSION=" + navVersion;		
}
function NavBar_setPLinkIDCookie(linkID,navVersion)
{	
	document.cookie = "SLIDINGTBL_NAVBAR_PLINKID=" + linkID;	
	if(navVersion.length > 0)	
		document.cookie = "SLIDINGTBL_NAVBAR_VERSION=" + navVersion;
}
function NavBar_deleteCookie() 
{
	// first we'll split this cookie up into name/value pairs
	// note: document.cookie only returns name=value, not the other components
	var check_name = "SLIDINGTABLE_NAVBAR";	
	var a_all_cookies = document.cookie.split( ';' );
	var a_temp_cookie = '';
	var cookie_name = '';
	var cookie_value = '';
	var b_cookie_found = false; // set boolean t/f default f	

	document.cookie = "SLIDINGTBL_NAVBAR_VERSION=0";	
	document.cookie = "SLIDINGTBL_NAVBAR_OLEVELID=";	
	for (i = 0; i < a_all_cookies.length; i++)
	{		
		a_temp_cookie = a_all_cookies[i].split( '=' );			
		cookie_name = a_temp_cookie[0].replace(/^\s+|\s+$/g, '');
		
		//expire all cookies for every slidingTable_navbar intances.			
		if (cookie_name.toUpperCase().indexOf(check_name) == 0)		
			document.cookie = cookie_name.toUpperCase() + "=";			 	
	}	
}
		
//-->
</script>
			</head>
	
		
	
	
	
	
	
		
	



<style type="text/css">
#lryParentmain56 {
	display:none;
	visibility:hidden;
}
</style>
<body style="margin:0px; background-color:#7082a6;" class="body">
<table align="center" width="90%" bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
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				<ol>
				
					<li class="metalist"><a href='#2'>How do I know if I am eligible?</a></li>
					<br><br>
				
					<li class="metalist"><a href='#1'>What are the different surgical weight loss procedures offered at UCLA?</a></li>
					<br><br>
				
					<li class="metalist"><a href='#3'>How long are the surgery, hospital stay, and postoperative recovery period?</a></li>
					<br><br>
				
					<li class="metalist"><a href='#4'>What are the risks and outcomes of bariatric surgery?</a></li>
					<br><br>
				
					<li class="metalist"><a href='#14'>Will my insurance authorize bariatric surgery at UCLA?</a></li>
					<br><br>
				
					<li class="metalist"><a href='#15'>Are there non-surgical alternatives to weight loss surgery?</a></li>
					<br><br>
				
					<li class="metalist"><a href='#16'>Will my primary care MD be involved in any of this?</a></li>
					<br><br>
				
					<li class="metalist"><a href='#17'>What is a Center of Excellence (COE) in bariatric surgery?</a></li>
					<br><br>
				
					<li class="metalist"><a href='#18'>Where can I get more information about bariatric surgery in Southern California?</a></li>
					<br><br>
				
					<li class="metalist"><a href='#19'>I have reviewed the UCLA Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery website and did not come across any “before & after” pictures. Why don’t you have them?</a></li>
					<br><br>
				
					<li class="metalist"><a href='#21'>Can surgery be done on patients less than 18 years of age?</a></li>
					<br><br>
				
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					<li><a name="#2">
					<b>How do I know if I am eligible?</b><br><br>
					Patients must meet specific criteria before they will be considered for an evaluation with the UCLA Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery program.  We are one of the few surgical weight loss centers in Los Angeles & Southern California that sets a higher level of standards surpassing those established by the National Institute of Health (NIH).  The patients must:
<ul>
<li>Generally be between the ages of 18 and 65. Patients older than 65 years old will be considered on a case by case basis.
<li>Have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of greater than 40, or a BMI of >35 accompanied by other issues related to health (co-morbidities).   <a href="body.cfm?id=38">Click here to calculate your BMI.</a> These co-morbidities include diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, obstructive sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol, triglycerides, etc), metabolic syndrome, polycystic ovarian disease, pseudotumor cerebri, etc. 
<li>Have recently participated in supervised weight reduction programs. These include WeightWatchers, Jenny Craig, Lindora, and other similar commercially available programs, as well as those administered by personal physicians, nutritionists, and personal trainers. It is important for patients to demonstrate the ability to follow instructions and ‘stick’ with a program prior to having a life altering weight loss surgery. To assist those patients who may not meet this requirement, the UCLA program will help by putting them through its own sensible diet and exercise program. Our program does not advocate ‘shots’, diet pills, magic diets, etc. 
<li>Be mobile, medically stable, and have an actively involved and supportive primary care physician. 
<li>Have a stable psychological status with adequate social support system to help them through the course of surgery and the postoperative period.
</ul>
					</li>
					<br>
					<div style="text-align:right;"><a href="#top"><img src="images/b_backtotop.gif" vspace="8" border="0"></a></div>
					<br><br>
				
					<li><a name="#1">
					<b>What are the different surgical weight loss procedures offered at UCLA?</b><br><br>
					Our preferred weight loss surgeries are explained in the “procedures” link on our website. We are one of the few weight loss surgery centers in Southern California which offer the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (vertical gastrectomy). The pros, cons, and risks of all bariatric surgery procedures, including those not done at UCLA, are explained in detail at one of our free patient bariatric surgery information seminars. The updated calendar can be found on the website’s front page.
<br /><br>
					</li>
					<br>
					<div style="text-align:right;"><a href="#top"><img src="images/b_backtotop.gif" vspace="8" border="0"></a></div>
					<br><br>
				
					<li><a name="#3">
					<b>How long are the surgery, hospital stay, and postoperative recovery period?</b><br><br>
					All surgeries are performed at the new <a href="http://www.uclahealth.org/homepage_med.cfm?id=264">Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center</a>. The average surgical time and length of stay are 2 and 48 hours, respectively. Similar to your recovery period, which is roughly 2-3 weeks, they both depend on numerous factors such as your underlying medical problems and the rare presence of postoperative complications. These topics and many more similar ones, are discussed in more detail at our free bariatric surgery information seminars and clinic. 
					</li>
					<br>
					<div style="text-align:right;"><a href="#top"><img src="images/b_backtotop.gif" vspace="8" border="0"></a></div>
					<br><br>
				
					<li><a name="#4">
					<b>What are the risks and outcomes of bariatric surgery?</b><br><br>
					As with any other surgery, there are risks associated with bariatric surgery. The UCLA program firmly believes that these risks can be minimized through aggressive preoperative education and tight control of obesity associated problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. The team will discuss the risks of surgical weight loss procedures with you in detail at the bariatric surgery patient information seminars, in the clinic, via an online interactive program (EMMI), and through a six page detailed consent form.
You can also watch the following presentation at <a href="http://www.obesityhelp.com/surgeryrisks/" target="_blank">www.obesityhelp.com/surgeryrisks/</a>
					</li>
					<br>
					<div style="text-align:right;"><a href="#top"><img src="images/b_backtotop.gif" vspace="8" border="0"></a></div>
					<br><br>
				
					<li><a name="#14">
					<b>Will my insurance authorize bariatric surgery at UCLA?</b><br><br>
					Dealing with insurance approval can be a frustrating step in the pre-surgery process and can take a week to several months.  It will be helpful for patients to have compiled a folder with information regarding previous attempts at non-surgical weight loss. Some insurance companies in Southern California will not cover weight loss surgery without this information. It is equally important to remember that an authorization for consultation does not guarantee an authorization for surgery. Once you are seen for consultation, your surgeon's office will submit a summary of your appointment, or clinical information, to your insurance company to determine if you meet medical necessity. It is highly suggested that you contact your insurance company for information about what prerequisites are required to approve surgery. 
					</li>
					<br>
					<div style="text-align:right;"><a href="#top"><img src="images/b_backtotop.gif" vspace="8" border="0"></a></div>
					<br><br>
				
					<li><a name="#15">
					<b>Are there non-surgical alternatives to weight loss surgery?</b><br><br>
					Definitely. The UCLA program believes that weight loss surgery should be considered only as a last option and as part of a complete change in lifestyle and eating behaviors prior to surgery. Bariatric surgery is not a quick fix and will not work without full compliance with these changes. In morbidly obese diabetic patients, however, the benefits of surgery are more pronounced in those who have not been diabetic for too long. Earlier consideration of surgery, therefore, is recommended in this patient population. 
					</li>
					<br>
					<div style="text-align:right;"><a href="#top"><img src="images/b_backtotop.gif" vspace="8" border="0"></a></div>
					<br><br>
				
					<li><a name="#16">
					<b>Will my primary care MD be involved in any of this?</b><br><br>
					Absolutely. The UCLA program requires its patients to have a primary care physician. An actively involved PCP is an integral part of bariatric surgery. He/she will be involved in the many aspects of bariatric surgery including preoperative medical ‘tune-up’ and long term follow-up. For those patients whom may not meet this requirement, proper referrals can be made by the UCLA bariatric group. 
					</li>
					<br>
					<div style="text-align:right;"><a href="#top"><img src="images/b_backtotop.gif" vspace="8" border="0"></a></div>
					<br><br>
				
					<li><a name="#17">
					<b>What is a Center of Excellence (COE) in bariatric surgery?</b><br><br>
					The late 1990’s witnessed a rise in the number of bariatric surgery procedures being performed by inexperienced surgeons at facilities inadequate for these high-risk procedures. The COE model was established by the American Society for Bariatric Surgery in response to a rise in complications, litigation, and denials for bariatric surgery benefits by various health plans. To obtain the COE status, bariatric surgeons, programs, and hospitals have to meet very stringent criteria designed to ensure patient safety. In addition to the ASMBS program, some health insurance companies have adopted and implemented their own COE programs as well, with similar or even more stringent requirements. The UCLA Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery program is one of the few bariatric surgery centers in Los Angeles and Southern California which has met all of these various COEs’ requirements and belongs to their preferred network of providers. For more information, please visit <a href="http://www.surgicalreview.org" target="_blank">www.surgicalreview.org</a>, as well individual health plans’ websites.
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					<li><a name="#18">
					<b>Where can I get more information about bariatric surgery in Southern California?</b><br><br>
					The pros, cons, and risks of all bariatric surgery procedures, including those not done at UCLA, are explained in detail at one of our free patient bariatric surgery information seminars. The updated calendar can be found on the website’s front page. In addition to numerous books and journal articles, he internet has over one million websites, chat rooms, and blogs dedicated to weight loss surgery. Whereas much useful information can be found on these sites, we do caution you to maintain a certain degree of hesitation and reservation as you browse through them. The following high quality educational websites can help guide you and answer some of your questions. <br><br/>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.asmbs.org" target="_blank">www.asmbs.org</a><br>
<li><a href="http://www.morbid-obesity.info" target="_blank">www.morbid-obesity.info</a>
<li><a href="http://www.obesityhelp.com/surgeryrisks/" target="_blank">www.obesityhelp.com/surgeryrisks/</a>
</ul>
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					<li><a name="#19">
					<b>I have reviewed the UCLA Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery website and did not come across any “before & after” pictures. Why don’t you have them?</b><br><br>
					Whereas improved image is a given positive outcome of bariatric surgery in almost all cases, the UCLA program does not consider it as its primary goal.  Improved quality of life and ridding oneself from major health concerns, however, are and should remain as the ultimate reason to pursue weight loss surgery.  Our patient stories on the website reflect that fundamental belief held by our team. 
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					<b>Can surgery be done on patients less than 18 years of age?</b><br><br>
					Weigh loss surgery for adolescents should only be done as a part of a comprehensive weight loss program such as UCLA's Fit Program <a href="http://fitprogram.ucla.edu/" target="_blank">fitprogram.ucla.edu/</a>
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