Hilario Juarez Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

This is totally my opinion of Dr. Juarez!!! I think he is a pompus self absorbed,incompetent man! I have had nothing but problems since my surgery, I have seen the man a total of maybe 20 minutes in the past 11 months. He always sends his PA to do his dirty work and too straighten up his goof ups!I was in hospital for an infection in incision site he wrote all my discharge meds. and I was allergic too everyone of them! My allergy's were on my chart and my arm band. He has way too many patients, you are a $ sign to him not a person. I hope if you have him as a Dr. you have a better experiance then I did. Good Luck:o) Sharon Thornnton

Dr. Juarez was nice. My consult with him was very short, it's hard to think that I waited four and a half months to see him for 5 min. However, he didn't seem hurried at all and he answered all of my questions. He has a good personality and that's important for me. I have to get a long with all of my physicians. I think it makes for a better surgery.
His office staff seemed nice. I brought in all of my paper work/referals on the day of my consult with him. I hear they have a habit of loosing papers.

I was late to the appointment, (got lost on the freeway) and the office staff wasn't at first going to follow through with the appointment! Like I'd already had to wait 4 months to schedule the thing! Then when they saw that I worked for Mesa Public Schools and my insurance was United. Well, I should of just gone home, and eat myself into oblivian!!! The Office staff was very negative about my chances of getting approved. At that point, if my sister, who had the surgery 7 years previous, wasn't with me I think I would of cried and left the building! I was finally able to meet with the PA...very nice guy who was very patient and explained how the procedure works and did a very brief exam and said that I was a good candidate for the lap. At the end of the visit Dr. Juarez peeked his head in and introduced himself and then left...hmmmmm. I'm sure he's a very competent doctor, several people have had him so I wasn't too concerned.

About two weeks later I get a phone call from his office, saying that they had recieved info for me that I was approved and should be hearing shortly from the insurance co. YIPEEEE!!! The office staff seemed alon more amenable to me now that I was approved! But I still needed my psyc. evaluation and I needed to see a kidney specialist for final approval.

Sooooo, my appt. was in Oct. 2002, it is now March 15, 2003 and my surgery is officially on April 2nd! I plan on attending the class for pre-op on the 1st!
No, April foolin!

From what I understand, as I haven't been to one yet, is that there are classes twice a month to go to. To help both pre and post.

I'm alittle concerned about St. Lukes. It's an older hospital in a neighborhood that I wouldn't want to be in come darkness, but I hope that all will be just fine.

I phoned Dr. Juarez' office this morning to schedule my consultation and found his office staff to be EXTREMELY nice. They answered the phone right away, proactively offered much information, answered a few questions and did not rush me through the call. I'm thinking pros all the way! / Update: I left the surgeon's office with a list of things I was to get so they could proceed with insurance. I slacked and paid more attention to my boyfriend for a couple months. Out of the blue, their office called me to tell me I was approved and to schedule me. SUPER great service from Pat in his office - she was so kind and excited for me. I most certainly DID NOT feel like a number or feel rushed. Once again, she answered questions and volunteered valuable info. :)

Dr. Juarez is informal in his approach and not heavy in bedside manner but he is a trauma surgeon and extremely skilled. His office staff is getting better but has to be pushed. Handoffs within the office do breakdown so you must remind, remind. He does not have a structured aftercare program unless you can get into St. Luke's Hospital where the program is associated with the hospital.

My first impression of Dr. Juarez was good. The consult only lasted 10 minutes and he basicly told me I was a good candidate for Lap. Although I did give him a good chuckle. When he asked to see my stomach (I was sitting at the time) I pulled up my shirt over my boobs! Duh..What was I thinking.. I didn't know I did it till he laughed..Lol.. Dr. Juarez reputation was so good that I felt completely at ease with him. I was recommended to him by two other Dr's and a friend that is a RN. The seminar was very informative and he seemed like a easy guy to work with. The office staff were helpful but busy. It took a while to get everything together for the surgery but, they were efficient enough.

Dr. Juarez is an amazing man. He has a unique sensitivity about him that is often missing in today's medical community. His office staff is exceptional, and well organized. (Thanks Angelia!) Dr. Juarez is very busy and appointments are hard to come by, but he is well worth the wait! I felt like they (Dr. and staff) wanted me to have the surgery as much as I wanted it. Communication was great! I will update as we get further along in the process.

After waiting over 4 mos for this appt I did not even meet with Dr Juarez but his PA. I was very upset that I was not told this ahead of time. The office also could not find any of the records or other info that was sent to them including my ins referral! The office was crowded & chaotic on the day I was there & I waited for 2hrs before I was seen. The PA was very nice though & spent as much time with me as I needed. He answered all my questions & did not make me feel like he wanted to rush me out of there. Maybe it was just an "off" day for that office

03/04/03 Dr Juarez office staff is great when dealinfg with the ins co. Everythig was taken care of by them & I was approved the next day! What was time consuming was gathering all the records & test results to get to them.

He is very prfessional and hurried but stayed to answer all my questions. Others that have been with him for a while have only good things to say. Have had some difficulties with the office returning phone calls promptly. My surgery is beginning of March, 2003 and will update then

Dr J is a wonderful surgeon. His P.A., Emil, is great as well. I've been released by them, since I'm over 1 year post op... but I would, and have, recommended my friends and family to go to Dr Juarez!
The Aftercare program at St. Lukes hospital is great.. with a dietician, Jane, and very helpful support groups bi weekly