Keith B. Boone Bariatric Surgeon M.D., FASMBS

Dr. Boone and his staff are wonderful. They have been very helpful. I couldn't believe how smoothly everything went. I had absolutely no problems at all with one exception. My last name is Luis and I got entered into their system as Lewis and got lost in the system for a few weeks! Other than that, everything has been smooth sailing.

06/01/01 Dr. Boone is with Valley Surgical Specialists in Fresno, CA. My first impression was very positive. The office staff has been very friendly and efficient. After my first phone call requesting a consultation I was immediately scheduled and received all of the neccesary paperwork in the mail within a week, along with an informational brochure on the procedure. During my consultation, I watched a video which went into great detail about the procedure, risks and benefits of the Lap RNY surgery. I then met Dr. Boone. He was very friendly, but seemed a little reserved. He answered all of my questions as well as those of my husband. Good experience. However, it took approximately 15 - 20 work days to submit my paperwork to my insurance company, but once sent, it was 15 pages of very thorough information. My insurance company approved me within days. If you are interested in Valley Surgical go to their web page at www.valleysurgical.com.

These are just my personal impressions of my own personal experience and I am not making any statements about what other people may experience.

I first saw Doctor Boone at the seminar. He was very knowledgeable about this subject and used humor during the "lecture" he also gave ALL the statistics good and bad of the surgery not just the ones he thought we'd want to hear. My first real meeting with him was the consultation. He was cordial and seemed to understand my concerns. I felt as if he understood my reasons for wanting or NEEDING surgery even if he couldn't really empathize with my plight, as I don't think he's ever had a weight problem. The office staff were friendly and helpful. We arrived for the appointment 15 minutes early to fill out forms, but the actual appointment time was 11:15, the actual time I got in was 11:40 for the consult. Once in the consultation He shared about the surgery and answered all my husbands and my questions. He spoke of after care and said "you'll get tired of seeing our faces 4 or 5 times a day". I assured him I wouldn't and hoped I would indeed see him often the day of surgery. Upon leaving the office both my husband and I felt I would be in skilled hands for my surgery and aggreed I would proceed.

2-10-01 My consult with Dr. Boone is a little
more than a month away. I have been patiently
waiting for this day to come. I have only read
good things about him and the staff at Valley
Surgical. I have my paperwork filled out
and I can hardly wait for the 3 1/2 hour drive.
I'll let ya all know what I think after the consult.

3-21-01 I finally had my consult with Dr. Keith Boone.
He genuinely seems like a Dr. who cares and wants to get
his patients as healthy as possible with this surgery.
He talked with my husband and myself for about 45 minutes,
and he definitely made it clear of possible risks and complications.
Overall, I really liked him and his staff seems very helpful
also. My paperwork is being submitted so now I am just
waiting for insurance approval. The best part of the whole exam was
the nurse giving me a gown that was huge- it was great- no hiney
sticking out the back. I'll let ya all know whats happening when I
know more.

4-19-01 Valley Surgical called to give me my pre-op appt. and surgery
date. I am so excited, that it will finally be my turn to cross over.
My lap RNY will be May 21, 2001- WhaaHoo

5-23-01 Home from the hospital...Thank you Dr. Boone...this man really
knows how to make you feel totally at ease with such a life changing procedure.
The staff at the Fresno Surgery Center was awesome also. They all gave me the gift,
now its up to ME to make it work.

He is a 39 year old man. He is soft spoken and friendly. I have met him one time. I will see him for my pre op in five days. He was informative but I felt I had most of the answers I wanted from all the research I have done. I felt like he wanted to answer as many questions as I had. He did not rush me in any way.

Dr. Boone made me feel comfortable,anwsered all my questions. explained risks and what I could expect after surgery.His office staff were at times hard to get a hold of.They told me they had did things that they had not,I felt they were giving me the run around but once I had my date all is forgiven. Dr.Boone emphasize the importance of aftercare and they have a structured program.
Dr.Boone really put me at ease I felt safe putting my self in his hands. Before going into surgery I was relaxed and confindent with my decision and my Dr. which makes a the difference in the world.

Dr. Boone of Valley Surgical Specialists is absolutly a God send. I live in San Diego and grew up in the valley and always assumed that SD was the best place to go. However, I would recommend him over any on the programs in San Diego in a heart beat. The office staff is great and don't feel like I was run through a mill or lost in the process.
He is kind, quiet and very informative. In my pre-op he told me what exactly to expect after I awakened, which really calmed me. He answered any and all of my strange questions.
He was wonderful in the hospital, and even started to relax and show his humorous side.

Post-: Dr. Boone has such a great bedside manner, he did an excellent job and I feel good just a few days after surgery...Thank you Dr. Boone!!
Pre-op: Dr. Boone is very professional yet personable. I agree that at first he seems somewhat reserved and distant, but once he warms up, he's sweet as can be. He has a warm personality. He answered all my questions clearly and took his time and went over all aspects of the surgery. He took the time to make sure that I was well informed.

He emphasizes aftercare and the fact that WLS is a tool. He expects follow-up and for the patient to take the decision for WLS and maintenance afterwards very seriously.

After meeting him, I feel that he is more than competant, I feel comfortable putting my life in his skilled hands.

All in all, Dr. Boone is a wonderful choice for a surgeon. I would recommend him to anyone.

My 1st impression was he seemed quiet or reserved. But I liked him right away. He did seem caring and answered all my questions. His office staff is very friendly and professional. I went to my 2 week check up and 4 week and 8 week and again 2 months later and then I canceled the next one because I felt great and it was a 1&1/2 hour drive to his office and I got lazy. Then Dr. Boone's office called and said I had to come in because it is very critical that he monitor me for the 1st year and a half. He really cares and so I went back and I'm glad. I am 60 years old and have asthma, high blood pressure, chest pains, leg cramps. Since my surgery I have no asthma,no leg cramps, no chest pains and I take 1 pill a day to control my blood pressure instead of 4 pills prior to surgery. Oh yes I no longer have heartburn at all. I give Dr. Boone and his staff a 10. He did the lap on me.

Rather bland, business-like man. Not much in the way of personality came through at this first meeting, so nothing to like or dislike. I think that he is quite good at what he does and I trust his surgical abilities and that is what I want. Entire appointment did not last more than 20 minutes.
Office staff for the most part is very nice. Didn't care much for front receptionists. They seem to be not at all organized. They could not find any record of my appointment when I went the first time. Mind you, I had been waiting for this appointment for over 3 months. I got the impression that the receptionist felt that I was lying about the appointment time and day. Only after I offered to go the car and get proof (she insisted that I do so) and presented her with the proof did her attitude change. I was not a happy camper. They had me wait for about 15 minutes in the waiting room, took me back to Laurie's office (I knew then that I would not be seeing the doctor today) and rescheduled my appointment for the following Tuesday. Tuesday came and they were unable to locate all the paperwork that I had filled out and mailed to them in July. They also were unable to locate the EKG that had been sent to them in June for my Sept. appointment. There is an aftercare support group but other than that I am unaware of a structured aftercare program. This may be something I learn about further down the road. Dr. Boone did address the risks of the surgery both at the mandatory seminar and at my appointment.
Well, folks. Dr. Boone still isn't a bundle of laughs but my God, is he a great surgeon!! I was released 21 hours after my surgery to go home. Never had a bit of pain, just sore like too many situps. Haven't had any nausea so far. This has been a walk in the park.