chossing a doctor

Hello i was wondering if anyone out there went there Dr. Criangle, to do there surgery. He works out in San Fran. I have spoke with several cousions who all had the surgery done. On swears by Castle the other by Queens and one by  Dr Criangle. The thing with Criangle its in San Fran, yet he could do the surgey in about a month. How long does Queens or Castle take. Any help would be great. Thanks

Aloha!

Dr. C is my surgeon. His credentials speak for themselves. He is outstanding in the field of bariatric surgery. You can check his numbers yourself and compare him with other surgeons. There are many fine ones out there... there are also some I would shy away from. In my case, I wanted to chose the type of surgery I was going to have and who my surgeon would be and after MUCH research on the subject, I wanted Dr. Cirangle and the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy.

My insurance wouldn't pay for any WLS outside Hawaii though, so I had to self-pay. I feel it was an investment in myself... the best investment I could have made. Dr. C comes to Maui for our follow-up visits, but doesn't perform the surgeries here in HI, so yes, you have to go to CA for the surgery. He is only comfortable in a hospital that has the designation of being a Center of Excellence, so that meant I had to go to San Fran. I wanted that security, too.

You can communicate with his office and they will answer any and all your questions. Also, visit his website... if you haven't already done so at: lapSF.com. There is a LOT of information there. They also come to the islands for seminars and support groups that you can attend on a monthly basis.

The choice is ultimately yours. I feel you must be comfortable with your decision for optimal success. Do your homework and weigh all your options. This is a life-changing event and you need to be prepared, educated, and willing to accept changes as well as understand the risks involved.

All WLS's are tools. You still have to do the work. They aren't an instant miracle that will make you thin for the rest of your life. You have to work at it and understand how to use your tool. If you are properly prepared physically and mentally, you'll succeed beyond your dreams! It is a journey like no other!!

Best of luck to you and I hope this helps.
Malama pono!

Thank you Makena for the help and information. Im planning on checking out the Queens program to see how the do things. Im hoping something works out I need the surgery and need to make a decision.

I saw Dr. Fowler at Castle.  One was financial I couldn't afford the $4500 surgeon fee and HMSA at the time wouldn't cover surgery outside of Hawaii.  I don't know about now.  Dr. C was my first choice but I am very pleased with Dr. Fowler and his staff.  I love the monthly support group meetings and the weekly exercise classes if you chose to go to them.  Dr. Fowler's surgeon fees is only $600.00 which I could afford.  For me the surgery was $1900 and that covered the hospital stay and anything else.  It all depends on your coverage.  I would call your HMSA rep and find out what your coverage covers.

Aloha,
Asia

Sorry I didn't answer one of your questions.  It took me about 6 weeks.  Read my profile and it will tell you how I pushed my date up.

Aloha,
Asia

Thank you for the information, just got off the phone with HMSA and they pretty much cover everything but the 80/20 for hospital stay. I have an HMO so im going to have my PCP submit.  I going to see a Dr. SCHIFF in the beging of Feb. He was recommend by Dr. C. I hope he stll gives me a referal if i dont go thru Dr. C. It would be good if I could stay home and do this. Again thanks for the info and ill keep u all updated.

I have HMSA HMO too!!! My pcp is Dr. Nakamura at the Kuakini hospital clinic. He is refering me to Queens hospital (if everything goes as planned). If your like me, tight on budget, i would look for alternatives on island. Island in my opinion will always be cheaper. But if you got the money, San Fran seems like a excellent alternative to get off the rock!!!! Ooh Thank you for letting me know what HMSA is going to cover for. If you got any new additional information please let me know....in fact we can be HMSA buddies!!!! lmao!!!!

Yea i go to Dr. SCHIFFon Feb 3, I just got HMSA i used to be Kaiser, they sucked. I have the initial seminar with Queens on  Feb 10. . Yea the biggest thing is the money, yea i can probly work it out to go to the mainland if that is my only opition, yet i would prefer to stay here.If Dr. SCHIFF doesnt  work out do u know if Dr. NAKAMURA is taking new patients or does anyone know of a PCP i could call, again ill wait to see what Dr. SCHIFF has to say. I really need this done for myself and family 

Did you ask the HMSA rep if they will cover the procedure out side of Hawaii.  They wouldn't cover mine.  You also know that the $4500 surgeon fee is not covered by HMSA that comes out of your own pocket.  Castle Hospital is now a certified Weight Loss Center of Excellence. 

Hea Thanks for all the advice, I just went to see Dr. SCHIFF at Pali Momi and he is gong to recommend me to who ever i feel most comfortable with, I'm stoked. I am going to a Pali Momi seminar, next week they are starting a weight loss center now so Dr. SCHIFF told me to check it out. I also have the seminar at Queens next week Tuesday. Anyway this is the start to the third greatest journey of my life, my wife being first and son second.