ValleyCare Health System Bariatric Center

I found Dr. Estakhri to be very pleasant and helpful in answering all my questions.

Her office staff is wonderful. When I called to make an appointment, they put me out a couple of months. I asked to be put on a cancellation list and the next day they called me and moved my appointment up by almost a month.

I spoke to the person who schedules surgery and since having the surgery in 2001 would save me quite a bit of money for my deductible, she put me tentatively down for Dec. 27 even before we knew if the insurance would cover. When I got the approval, I called her back to tell her and she asked me if I could come in earlier if they have a cancellation for surgery. Of course I said yes, so I'm waiting to hear now.

I've been attending support meetings sponsored by Dr. Estakhri's office and find that her aftercare program is very good. The support classes are a great help. A very large group attends each week.

I had an appt with my surgeon on Sept 7th. Dr. Estakhri was a very nice lady, very informative meeting. And best of all I made the appt. in time for her monthly discussion (Sept 14th) on who gets the surgery with her team....

Dr Estakhri is a great surgeon. She really cares about her patients. She is very good about explaining the risks and benefits of this surgery. The office staff is great also. I never had to deal with any of the insurance stuff or anything. I would recomend this office to anyone!!!!!

I had a very favorable impression of Dr. Estakhari. She seemed empathetic, caring and concerned. She answered all of my questions.

I have a friend who had a less than desirable outcome with her, so I guess I was predisposed to thinking I wouldn't like her...to the contrary. I found her refreshing and upfront about the risks, and the rewards to this surgery. She is just the facilitator, I must do the work. And with anything, you can find a way around the surgery to put the weight back on. She was very emphatic about staying on the program and making it work. I liked her.

7/31 Met with Dr. Estakhri for the pre-op counseling. Again, she was confident, quiet, a good listener, explained the surgery in minute detail. Gave me some helpful hints about what to expect after.
Bring chapstick and something to keep your mouth moist! She was patient with all my questions. The biggest thing she emphasized is that I will be tired and unable to focus during the healing process.

8/10 Saw Dr. Estakhri for only a few minutes after the surgery, again she seemed concerned, had all the time in the world to listen to my questions...and answered any of my concerns

The process for this program is that first you meet with the psychotherapist, second you meet with the dietician and third you meet with the surgegon. Then the three get together to conference about you and your chances of suceses in the program. I had a pleasant and learning experience with each of them. My first impression of Dr. Estakhri was relief. She seemed genuinely nice, and caring about her patients. She answered all my questions and took the time to explain, in detail, the entire process. Her bariatric coordinator, Debbie Frickel, has been wonderfully patient with all of my phone calls. The only problem that I encountered was the re-scheduling of my original meeting with the Doctor. the re-schedule pushed me into a different evaluation period and I had to wait a bit longer for my approval letter.

My husband and I met with Dr. E. and were very pleased that she answered all of our questions and didn't rush us out the door. She explained everything in quite detail and all the pros and cons of the rny surgery.
Her staff was very friendly and put us at ease immediately. One of the main details here is that they emphasize the aftercare, support group and excercise groups. I went to one of the meetings and was very encouraged by talking to post op patients.

Young woman, very confidant. Still impressed with her. Office staff is well organized, and has a Bariatric Nurse to help with all the details.I had to meet with a diatician, and a phycologist. They have a team meeting to select patients, and make the critieria you will need to do to continue with the process.
Nothing

Has a structured support group and exercise.
We will see.

Straight forward.
Rate good,
Surgical competence.
Professional, not a bedside type doctor.

I really liked Dr. Estakhri, she was completely focused on explaining everything to me about the surgery and all things associated with it. Her explanations were clear, concise and in layman's terms. I like the team approach of meeting with the RN coordinator, Dietician and Psychologist as well the surgery before they will approve you for the surgery. It is also clear they are concerned with treating and caring for the whole person, not just performing the surgery and then you are on your own. The groups and aftercare will be a big help. My only difficulty is in how long everything takes to get approved and done. I called for an appt. in Dec. and here it is March and I still don't know if I have been approved for the surgery.

Just wanted to add that when I met with Dr. Estakhri at my pre-op appt. I was once again incredibly impressed by her! She seems so down-to-earth in her approach and took as much time as I needed to make sure all my questions were answered. She explained things so I could understand them and made sure I knew exactly what would happen. I have the utmost confidence in her skill as a surgeon and am so glad I found an amazing surgeon than also has a personality!

OK, here I am, 11 days post-op and I want to add that I am so glad Dr. Estakhri did my surgery! She is an incredibly skilled surgeon and did and outstanding job with my Open RNY. Due to a prior surgery for heartburn 2 1/2 years ago, Dr. Estakhri had to do an Open procedure so she could take down the other surgery before doing the RNY. I have had no complications and my care has been exemplary! The staff at Valley Care Medical Center is also wonderful and I am so pleased she did the surgery there. You cannot go worng with having Dr. Estakhri do your surgery! Thank you for helping me get my health back on track.

I had a really good 1st impression. She took the time to explain everythig thoroughly.

The Bariatric Coordinator, Debbie, is wonderful and very knowlegable!

They really emphasize aftercare. There are support group meetings, group therapy and monthly meetings with the dietician.

I had a great surgeon. Dr. Estakhri is very personable and extremely knowledgeable. I would suggest for anyone to have their surgery done through California Surgical Associates!