Hilario Juarez Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

I was initially unimpressed with Dr Juarez and truthfully - still am. I saw him once prior to surgery day and only once while I was hospitalized. I went to a 2 week visit and a 3 month visit and after that I just gave up and never went back. I felt I got more support and information from this website and other groups I belong to than from him or his office. I was not allowed to join the support group because of my insurance not covering its costs, so I pretty much went thru this experience by myself. I feel his technical expertise was good - I have had no physical problems at all. However, his bedside manner and support fell way, way short!

I went in for my first consult and only met with Dr. Juarez very briefly. He seemed quiet. I mostly spoke with his assistant Amil. He seemed very nice and definitely knowledgeable. He answered all of my questions and even gave me some words of encouragement. The person in charge of dealing with insurance seemed nice and helpful. She explained to me what all was involved in getting the approval processed. The only thing that did bother me with the whole visit was the wait time. The office was VERY busy, and I had to wait about an hour after my initial appointment time, then an additional half an hour before I even was seen. I can understand that though. This whole issue is a very sensitive subject. Overall, I had a good experience so far with this doctor and his office staff.

I have not had the surgery yet.

The first time I saw Dr. Juarez was at his seminar. He was very personable and he even had a sense of humor. I however was not impressed with his seminar. I have done alot of research into the whole thing. I found that he really lacked the ability to teach the people there about the surgery. There were several there who really did need to learn and I felt that they went away with very little.

In his defense though, He could answer questions very well. So I think that if there was a better format or maybe one of his people gave the seminar and he came in at the end to answer questions......

I have met with him this weekend and found he to be a very nice guy and careing. I think that he is very human and really trying to please his patients.

His office staff however has some problems. The lady behind the desk was very nice. She smiled and talked to me as if I were a person/ not just another file. But the lady that she assigned me too (the nurse/case manager) was very anti-social. I said hello to her and she did not speak to me. Then she spoke to me when she asked me questions for my file. But that was it. I am hoping that she was having a really bad day. (it was morning on a Saturday-a reschedule because the doctor had had a emergency earlier in the week) But still when you work with people, especially those nervous about themselves, their appearence and the decision they have just made...I think you really have to try to be personable.

I Like the fact that Dr. Juarez was very nice and talked to me as another person not a doctor who has no idea how to relate his ideas to the person he is talking to. I did feel that he was a bit rushed. That is forgiveable and understandable. He also put my mind at ease about some of the things that the psych evaluation doctor was telling me.

He does emphasize aftercare. But he also wants you to know that you will only get out of it what you put into it.

He is very upfront about the risks of surgery. But he is doesn't try and scare you.

I think that this will be a good relationship. I think that his surgical competence is there. His bedside manner will probably be just fine. I think that I am more worried about the staff. I really can not believe how rude his nurse/case manager was.

I will post more as I know more

February 5, 2003

Since so many months have gone by, I would like to say that over the phone Jackie at Juarez's office is very nice. I think that maybe she is just a little shy perhaps in person.

I liked Dr.Juarez from the first I meet hm. He is very nice. His office was fabulous too. I did run into one problem with them calling me back but I explained my frustration and they ladies understood. And made it better with the 20+ calls afterwards.

Well update more after Surgery

12/03/02 I have a new surgeon. Could not use Dr Swain because he is not in the "plan". I have heard good things about Dr Juarez. Looking forward to meeting him personally.

1/29/03 I met Dr Juarez and his PA, Emil today. Between the 2 of them they answered all of my questions. I had a list (thanks to this web site's volumes of info.) and was very organized. I did have to wait to see the Dr but I did not mind as he was in surgery and I cetainly do not want him to rush on anyone just to see people in the office. The office staff was very nice and I was given a nurse to deal with my case, directly. I like that very much. Dr Juarez does 5 to 15 Lap RNY surgeries per week. He has the experience I am looking for. So far, so good.

My first impression of Dr. Juarez is that he is very busy. Which to me means that he has done a lot of surgeries. His staff is friendly but busy and the process can take a long time.

I haven't met him yet. I met with the PA and he seemed nice. Everyone in the office seemed nice and on top of things.

I liked Dr. Juarez when I first met him @ time of surgery. His staff was very helpful with me and my insurance company(Cigna). They took the proper steps when I was requesting my bypass. I wish that All surgeons would be involved in the appeals process if need be, but most are not. Dr. Juarez's office emphasizes on a lot of aftercare, but it depends on your insurance company as to how much or if you get to have it. He has a great aftercare program that I couldn't attend with the exception of the office visits because of my insurance. I would rate Dr.Juarez as a surgeon an 8; for good bedside manner, friendliness, surgical competence, and general concern for his patients.

I was told that I would not meet with him, that I woul dmeet with his assistant Emil.

Well, my 1st appointment I met with him and he seemed very warm and very direct. He was very honest about the proceure and the risks involved. His staff has been great. I called Anjelia (the P/A coordinator) at least 5 times a day for a week! Dr. Juarez is very direct, so if you go into his office expecting a candy coated version of the surgery, you will be sorely disappointed, he tells you up-front the pros and cons of the surgery. He has a superb progrma for aftercare thru Tempe St Lukes Hospital, but my insurance company is not contracted thru them, so I am not authorized to use them. I don't know his bedside manner as of yet, but he was very thorough in my initial consultation. I only wish there was a pre-op appointment for any last minute questions and for re-assurance. This was my own personal experience and I do not know what other people might feel or say about him or his staff.

Doc Juarez is a funny caring doctor. I was very impressed with him at the seminar. He took time to answer questions, even ones that were repeated. He never appeared impatient with the people. I haven't gone to the consult yet, so can't critique that area yet. Im looking forward to him doing this surgery.

Nov.29,2002: I went to my consultation on the 20th. There were so many people there, but they were all happy. It was a good atmosphere. The staff is great, and the doc is very personable. He lookes you right in the eye when he talks to you and wants to know what you expect from this surgery. I think I will be in good hands.