Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery Associates Bariatric Center
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I have heard nothing but great things about Dr. Boone as a surgeon. Its helps that I know a married couple who are respiratory therapists that work at St. Agnes. They told me which Dr.s had the least amount of complications and Dr.'s Boone and Higa from Valley Surgical Specialists where on the top of the list. The wife even had Dr. Boone as her surgeon for her RNY a couple of years ago. She looks and feels great now.
My first appt. with him was on 1/22/02 and he was very nice, knowledgeable, professional and took the time to answer all my questions. He really put me at ease and made me feel like I would be in good hands.
His office staff for the most part is nice and helpful, especially Keri who helped in getting the surgery approved by my insurance, (Foundation). Once it was approved and all my tests where completed I was told it would be about 1 week before I would hear from the surgery scheduler but it took 3 weeks to get a surgery date. That has been the only drawback I've had with this office. I kept hearing that the scheduler was swamped and shorthanded but never from her, she did not return calls. I tried to be patience because I know what it feels like to be in that position even so I did call every week after that first week. When I finally got her on the phone 5/1/02 she was very nice and she got me scheduled for 5/16/02. As long as I had waited to hear the date it was now sooner than I expected but I was sure not going to argue. The wait for a date should be improving soon they are currently are training at least one more person to help out with the surgery scheduling.
5/21/02 I had the RNY Lap. surgery on 5/16/02 and I can't say enough good things about Dr. Boone. The only real pain I had was in my neck, head and upper back and that got better every day. Once I got home on the 18th it improved very fast, by the 20th I've been pain free and so far no complications at all. He's a great surgeon.
I FOUND DR. BOONE TO BE SOFT SPOKEN, BUT VERY INFORMATIVE. I HAD A LIST OF QUESTIONS AND HE WENT OVER THE ENTIRE LIST WITH ME, AND NEVER MADE ME FEEL THAT I WAS TAKING UP TOO MUCH TIME. I FEEL VERY CONFIDENT WITH DR. BOONE AS MY SURGEON.
HIS OFFICE STAFF WAS VERY HELPFUL, AND COURTEOUS, MY NEICE HAD AN APPT. WITH ME BUT THERE WAS A MIX UP AND HER APPT. WASN'T PUT DOWN. THEY WERE VERY GOOD ABOUT IT AND GOT HER IN TO SEE THE DOCTOR. WE WERE UPSET ABOUT IT AT FIRST BUT THINGS WORKED OUT.
WE DISCUSSED THE IMPORTANCE OF AFTERCARE, AND THE PROGRAMS THEY HAVE TO HELP AND THE SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS ETC.
I HAVE NO COMPLAINTS AT THIS TIME, AND AM LOOKING FORWARD TO SURGERY.
Dr. Higa is a very caring and competent surgeon with a wonderful bedside manner. He is the best and has a very high success rate. I have been watched a little closer by Dr. Higa and his assistant nurse Alice. I have had some complications. It's strange that when I have needed them the most, they wind up calling me before I had the chance to call them. One call probably saved me from serious consequences or maybe death. I was hospitalized 2 hrs. after the phone call. Due to another complication, I had to have more surgery. What was supposed to be a simple removal of my galbladder turned out much more complicated. I always felt that Dr. Higa's care kept my attitude positive and I am still so happy I had the weight loss surgery. Here is how I would rate Dr, Higa on a 1-10 scale.
Ability as a surgeon-10,Bedside manner 10,
pre and post op care 10, Educating his patients 10, Showing concern and confidence in you 10, Going through the whole process in a timely manner 6. My process took 8 months, but I gotta tell you, Dr. Higa is well worth the wait.
Dr. Higa was very friendly and personable. He is a surgeon and likes control. I don't think he likes me very much because I challenged him with his routines. Office staff was excellent many of them post op. Dr. Higa's post op instructions were not very specific but contacting others from other programs helped me and talking with other post op lap RNY's was very helpful. Aftercare is emphasized but coming from a long distance I've had to push a little to get the info I need from what they offer. I had to prove I had an idea of what I was getting into and that I had counseling support and group support set up locally before I was approved for surgery. When Dr. Higa does say something, even very low key, take note, he means it. I was not allowed to gain preop or my surgery would have been cancelled.
I developed several post op complications which could have been prevented if Dr. Higa had checked my clotting time prior to administering heparin (drug that can cause you to bleed) or had put in a wound drain into one of my incisions. When I informed the office my wound had opened I was cautioned not to see someone locally. I wasn't believed, Dr. Higa accused me of making up the wound. I couldn't get dressings or homecare ordered. I did get antibiotic support. Being a RN I was able to heal myself. I attribute this lack of care to Dr. Higa's self confidence because I was the first patient of his who's wound had opened up under his current surgical procedure.
Dr. Higa is a very caring man and always has the best interest of his patient in mind.
It only got better.
The office staff is wonderful, they go beyond what they need to do.
Nothing. He is the BEST
That he is the best and all his patients will tell you the same.
That he is very skilled and cares.
Aftercare is very important to him and his staff.
Yes
Yes
The best in the world
Both are FANTASTIC!!!!
1/28/02
I finally met with Dr. Higa but only briefly. He was very nice... has a great reputation. Spent most of my time with the nurse practioner, can't remember her name but wasn't very impressed with her. Found her to be phony, she tried to answer my questions but I wondered about her actual knowledge of the procedure. I hope that on my pre-op visit to spend more time with Dr. Higa. Everyone else was very nice, prompt, no problems. Can't schedule surgery date until complete psych eval and submit to insurance. Psych eval scheduled 2/11/02
My first impression of Dr. Boone was that he was a very nice looking, soft spoken man! He was very nice to speak to when I had my consultation! So far, Jan at VSS has been a real help in getting this all together! I will update as soon as I have had surgery! Well, surgery has come and gone and let me tell you...I couldn't have choosen a better surgeon!He is extremely nice and so very helpful! He listens to what you are saying and makes sure you understand everything before it happens! If you are thinking about Dr. Boone, you don't have to think twice, he's the best!
My first impression of Dr. Higa was good. My sisters went with me because it was a four hour drive and he was joking around with them while still trying to make me feel comfortable.
Dr. Higa did such an awesome job with my surgery. I felt he was the doctor best qualified to operate on me (trust me, I went to three other doctors before him!)
My first consult appointment with him went very well. He was easy to talk with and friendly, did not seem judgemental. Plus he was very easy to understand, which was important.
Thus far the staff I have dealt with have been friendly and easy to communicate with. Except for the recepention gal I checked in with, I had a hard time understanding her and she came across as rude when I asked her to repeat herself.
The risks of the surgery were addressed via their conference video (or some attend an actual conference) and during the consult visit.
I'll post more info when I return from Fresno in three weeks time.