ValleyCare Health System Bariatric Center

Dr Estakari at the beginning explained everything to me told me the good about the operation and also the bad about it the it, the risk of complications that might happen. She is a straight foward person to make sure you know about the procedures before it takes place. I had surgery on Thursday Jan 9,2003 everything went great I was sent home on Sunday Jan 12,2003. I am a little sore but feeling good about the surgery. Just make sure you keep walking, and keep using the breather, and keep up the fluids.I Think Dr Estakari is a great surgeon, very professional.

Dr. Estakhri is very nice, a typical surgeon: no nonsense, straight to the point, no extra fluff.

Her office staff is great.

The worst thing about her office is I often have to wait a long time in the exam room.

She has a nurse who does excellent teaching and followup. They have a support group that meets weekly.

She was great and very helpful. Always available. Staff is wonderful. After care and support group very important told to attend every meeting I can.
Risks were discussed and very easy to understand.
I rate the doctor and staff a 10.

really like her, she is very caring plus alot of support.she makes sure that you understand the sugery and know what your getting into that it is a life long change.also a wonderful staff of people. a support group for before and after.she cares about your long term results.so glad to of found her and all the staff they are all great.the only thing i do not care for is that it's a far drive for me. the meetings twice a week with everything going on in your life.but the meeting are so good you get so much support and learn so much from other people that i hate to miss them plus you get to know other people and that's really nice.very up front about eveything and i like that.

I liked her, I felt she took enough time with me and answered my questions quickly and easily. I will let you know when I meet again for pre-op appt.

My first impression of Dr Estakhri was very organized and knowledgeable. I like that. I haven't met with her again so far but look forward to working with her in pre and post-op. I believe Dr Estakhri's group which she works closely with has an amazing program that I have seen with the support group meeting works very effectively. I least like that it took alot of work on my behave to get a date for surgery. But now I realize it was to prepare me properly for surgery. Future patients show know about this group is that they don't take your surgery lightly. They depend alot of the aftercare of their patients and have it very structured which helps in the succes of the program. Dr. Estakhri spelled out the risks matter of factly, nothing sugar coated. After all we are adults. I would rate this surgical team very high. I believe a group should have a complete avenue of care. Everything should count!

I started out with Dr. Dat Nguyen.When my insurance company changed in the middle of all of this, he was not covered under my insurance. So I will now have Dr. Estakhri.I will meet her for the first time on my Pre-Op visit on July 10, 2002.I have heard and read good things about both of these doctors.I also found out that Dr. Nguyen will assist on my surgery, so I am very happy to have 2 very good doctors taking care of me.Valley Care Health Services in Pleasanton has been great. You have to go to mandatory pre-op classes, they want to make sure you are going into this with your eyes open, and understand all that will happen to you. I don't like having to lose weight before surgery but realize it is for my own good! I have lost 7 and need to lose about 8 more before surgery, so I have been walking to get ready for this too!

I found Dr. Estakhri and staff to be very organized and professional. I am very pleased, so far, with Lifeguards choice. I live far away from any major cities, so I have a drive to endure to see her. That is my only regret. I would be happier if I were closer so I could participate in support groups. I want so desperately to be involved with my peers. Hopefully she can help me...

I am so thrilled to have met Dr. Estakhri. She is part of a GREAT program in my home city of Pleasanton, California. The office staff has been very pleasant to work with. There is nothing that I don't like about Dr. E at this point. Her whole program seems to be designed around the prior and after care. She has a support group that is really incredible and meets every week. At my consultation with Dr. E I first met with the Bariatric Coordinator. She delivered so much information in a very simple format. I was allowed as much time as I needed to ask questions. The risks were completely explained to me too. Then I met with the Dr. and she again went over the risks - using pictures, statictics etc. She was very understanding and impressed me with her strict guidelines that patients must meet prior to surgery in order to reduce risk. She was very realistic. The difference with this from my previous Dr. was that she explained the "why" of everything. I came away with a great understanding so that I could make an informed decision about the surgery. I would rate Dr. Estakhri and her team with high marks. The only thing that I didn't like is that the team only meets once per month to decide which people become candidates for the surgery. So if you happen to get your meeting right after that date you have to wait another month before you even know if you are considered as a candidate. Then the insurance process and then the date is set. I took a very proactive and professional approach and explained my time restraits and they are working with me and my work schedule so that I do not have to wait until next year. And so far I have nothing to complain about.

Dr. Estakhri and her office staff and associates are the most wonderfull, supportive, friendly, down to earth people you would ever want to meet.I highly appreciate the pre op support I got and the Post op care I am recieveing now. the have a wonderful support group and have been a pleasure for me to make this journey with.
Michelle Ferrario