1-800-GET-THIN

1-800-GET-THIN

Company type	Private
Industry	Marketing, Healthcare advertising
Founded	February 2010 (2010-02)
Founder	Robert Silverman
Headquarters	Beverly Hills, California , United States
Products	Weight-loss marketing services, insurance eligibility assessment and verification

1-800-GET-THIN was a U.S.-based marketing firm located in Beverly Hills, California, focused on promoting weight-loss solutions. The enterprise utilized a registered brand name to advertise insurance-related services, specifically eligibility assessment and verification within the healthcare sector.

History

Established by Robert Silverman in February 2010, 1-800-GET-THIN sought to assist individuals in addressing obesity, which was becoming an increasing global issue. Silverman stepped down from his role as company president in February 2012 to explore different professional pursuits.

Lap-Band

In February 2012, Allergan, the producer of the Lap-Band, discontinued sales to organizations connected with 1-800-GET-THIN. Following this decision, two affiliated medical centers stopped performing Lap-Band procedures, and all promotional content related to these surgeries was removed from their websites and YouTube channels.

Controversies

During 2012, members of the U.S. House requested a congressional inquiry into the marketing strategies of 1-800-GET-THIN and concerns about Lap-Band safety. The California Department of Insurance launched investigations into associated surgical facilities over allegations of insurance fraud. Reports and legal actions indicated that principal surgeons had ownership stakes in both the clinics and the marketing company, with partial ownership attributed to Kambiz Beniamia Omidi.

By October 2012, the FDA announced a criminal probe involving suspected offenses such as conspiracy, healthcare fraud, wire fraud, tax evasion, identity theft, and money laundering. The FBI also examined claims of extortion linked to the organization.

A former patient provided testimony regarding awareness of multiple deaths connected to surgeries prior to October 2010; two further fatalities were reported subsequently. Despite these assertions, no physicians were convicted or faced disciplinary actions from medical boards concerning these events. One prominent lawsuit was dismissed in 2017.

In 2011, a class action suit initiated by relatives of deceased patients accused the company of deceptive advertising practices. A settlement reached in 2013 allocated close to $1.3 million for victim compensation and funding a public education campaign about surgical risks. Additional legal proceedings are still pending.

Between 2011 and 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued warnings that advertisements by 1-800-GET-THIN and related brands misrepresented the dangers associated with Lap-Band procedures. In 2014, federal authorities confiscated assets exceeding $100 million tied to the business. In February 2018, top executives Julian Omidi and Mirali Zarrabi faced indictments on numerous charges connected to alleged fraudulent conduct within the company’s operations.