Ventura Bariatrics Bariatric Center

Dr. Sanchez performed my surgery in April 2008. He was efficient, knowledgeable, and despite the fact he went to rival USC (I'm a Notre Dame girl) extremely personable. TThe staff could be better about follow up and accurately recording co-payments, but overall are genuine and supportive. Over 2 years later I have maintained a weight loss averaging 90 lbs. I highly recommend him.

3/10- Dr. Sanchez has been so awesome to talk to and deal with. He understands what you want and wants what is best for you.

11/09 - I have been scheduled to talk to Dr. Barry Sanchez. Penninsula Surgical Specialists aka Thinner Future actually does VGS which is what I want and will take my insurance. :)

This surgeon (Dr. Legha)is apparently also at Mountain View - El Camino Hospital. I got a 2nd opinion referral started, so wish me luck.

I have had the hardest/stonewall time with Stanford Hospital. First it was - losing my referral not once, but twice. Third time is a charm?? Then having to wait for Medi-cal to approve the hospital, then they supposedly lost my chart. When I finally had my appointment with Dr. Morton, one of his associates ended up seeing me, telling me I couldn't have the procedure I was looking into (lapband) because I was severly morbidly obese, and that I should have the gastric sleeve. I asked for more info on that and he told me to go to the info seminar. I said I have seen a bit of info online, and at the seminar it wasn't really covered. Then we went over my medical history. I am Bi-Polar and that apparently raised a HUGE RED FLAG and so all he was going to do was send me for my blood work and to talk to the psychologist before going any further. I still do not have my main question answered of - "Which surgery would be best for me to keep taking my medications for bi-polar?" I feel that my mental health is extremely important and now that that has been taken care of for a significant amount of time, Elective surgery to help with weightloss, to help with depression sounds good, but I can't get that question answered.
I met with the Psychologist today and she told me that the surgeons tend to be touchy about people who are bipolar, and tend to reject them so for me to just be aware of. She was nice to chat with and I was able to talk to her open and honest about things. Things where someone could of realy dinged me by me saying -when I'm depressed I don't like to eat, but after the surgery I'll have to eat, but I also told her thatI'll just have to set up a system that works best for me

He is awesome and so caring! I had another surgeon before from another hospital who was horrible and more interested in getting money out of me, than helping me. Dr. Sanchez was so helpful and I was immediately approved through my insurance 100%. The previous surgeon told me my surgery wasn't covered and was going to charge me $17,000. To all of you out there looking for a good doctor, follow your heart and don't be afraid to keep looking if something feels wrong. Dr. Sanchez was a god send and Yvette at his office makes EVERY step so easy. After my awful previous experience I almost gave up on having surgery all together. I am so glad I tried one more surgeon before giving up.

My surgeon was Mr. Barry Sanchez, he was very nice and made sure he answered all my questions. The office staff overall was good. I really do not have anything negative to say about him.rnI just got my operation and I felt very relaxed with him and at the time of surgery I was very scared. So, I knew no matter what it would be ok.rnI would recommend him to others, his bedside manner as well as overall competence is great.

I am currently PreOp I will be able to better answer after 2/26/08.rnrnBut, my first impression of him was:rnDr.Barry Sanchez is a professional in his field. He welcomes questions and comments. He took his time explaining the options of each type of WLS and asked if I had a preference (which I did) and it is why I chose his practice.rnrn04/02/08 5 weeks Post Op.rnSurgery went very well. Dr Sanchez did a great job with Pre Op instructions and I followed them to a tee. So as not to have any complications. I did tell him on my 1 week follow up appointment how I felt about the Scheduling Coordinator. I cannot say it is the whole Office Staff because I personally did not have any contact with them. It is the \"return phone calls that drove me crazy\". 48 hours to return a call is absolutely rediculous.

Pros:rnVery streamlined, very efficient at gettting folks through the surgery. Dr. Sanchez is very informative, and comes across as warm and competent. Good sense of humor and would be fun to grab a beer with. rnHe shares office with Dr Wetter as well, who is equally warm and competent. I met with him a few times when Dr. Sanchez was unavailable, and I would recommend him as well. rnrnCons: rnOffice staff is VERY unorganized. (Phone calls not returned, appts cancelled, follow ups not done)rnrnThe best recommendation I can give is that I am now helping my sister go through the process with Dr. Sanchez as well.

He was wonderful and informative.

From the first time I walked into the office in October, Dr. Sanchez and the entire staff were wonderful. I felt comfortable and non-pressured to make my decisions. Now I am 1 1/2 weeks post-op and had my check up yesterday. Everyone was wonderful and encouraging.

MY FIRST IMPRESSION OF DR. SANCHEZ WAS THAT HE WAS NICE , EXPLAINED EVERYTHING AS DETAILED AS POSSIBLE. MANY HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THEIR OFFICE CANCELING APPOINTMENTS ALTHOUGH I AM HAPPY TO SAY THIS HASN'T HAPPENED TO ME AS OF YET. rnrnHE HAS A GREAT BED SIDE MANNER AND WAS SINCERE AND EASY TO TALK TO . MADE ME FEEL COMFORTABLE RIGHT AWAY. OFFICE STAFF WAS GREAT. JANET THE CORDINATOR WAS ESPECIALLY HELPFUL. rnrnI WILL WRITE MORE ABOUT AFTER CARE AND SUCH AFTER MY SURGERY!!

Dr. Sanchez was very straight up with what was expected of me as well as what I was going to go through. There were times that just his smile cheered me up. At first he seeme very dry but opened up and was very motivating. The staff in Burlingame, Ca were awesome and the Hospital like always have taken good care of me.