Kaiser people.....

HI!  Funny I found your post when I was looking up Dr. Fadorka on the internet.  Does anyone out there have a non kaiser contact for him?  I am a private pay person.  I am thinking of Dr. Almanza out of Mexico - does anyone have anything to say about him???

 I am scheduled to have surgery next week with Dr. Fedorka (2-17-11).  I have met him twice and really like him.  He is very straight-forward, which I like.  The first time we met he was very thorough and found a problem with my heart.  He sent me for a CT scan and they did find a problem with one of my heart valves.  The second time we met he reviewed the results of the scan and of his consultation with the cardiologist.  He said the cardiologist cleared me for surgery and indicated that by loosing weight and lowering my blood pressure I might be able to avoid open heart surgery in the future.   I am very impressed that he has been so careful to make sure I am fit to survive the surgery.  All-in-all, it has taken nearly a year to move through the process that Kaiser requires.  I have felt frustrated at times, but overall feel that they are ultimately concerned about my health and success with this surgery.  I am happy I went through the options classes.  I feel more prepared for my surgery than I imagine people that have had one Saturday seminar would be.  I also feel very fortunate that I will be having my surgery locally and not have to go to San Diego.