Kelvin Higa Bariatric Surgeon M.D.,F.A.C.S. F.A.S.M.B.S.

My first and only impression (only met him once) was a good one. He came in and was very nice. He asked me right off the bat "what can I do for you"? I told him that I wanted to see me look like how I feel inside. Told him Im shocked when I see myself in the mirro. He laughed and understood and told me he could help me. How awsome is that. Ive never even thought that someone could help me. He is a very imfomative and well trainied doctor.

Yes I have met with Dr. Higa and let me tell you he is with out a doubt the BEST THERE IS!! need I say more? Dr. Higa treats you as if he has known you all of your life. He answers your questions honestly and then gives you the opportunity to ask more. after your surgery he is right there to check up on you and to make sure EVERY THING is going the way that HE wants it to go. I would reccomend Dr. Higa to anyone in the state of California looking to have this surgery he is the GREATEST.
Lucy Whittle

Well, I finally had my consult on 8-13-03. I was sooo pleasently suprised at what a nice, and funny man he is! I know they say that surgeons usually don't have much of a personality but Dr. Higa was definitly the exception. The office staff was friendly and time efficient for the most part. They took my early and i was out of there pretty quick. He really answered most of my questions. And i never felt once like he was in a rush to get out of there. I did leave without a good idea of my post-op diet issues. But he assures me before i leave the hospital i will have more than enough info on that. overall I think i am very grateful to have him as my surgeon. And would reccomend him to anyone.

Have consult with Dr. Higa on 4/11/03. I have heard only wonderful thigns about him and all other surgeons with VSS.
I cant say enough wonderful things about Dr. Higa. I felt like he "was there for me" throughout this whole process. I wsa totally comfortable and secure that my life was in his hands. He has a wonderful sense of humor and bedside manner. I would recommend him to anyone! Youa re lucky if Dr. Higa is your surgeon!

I have a consult with Dr. Higa on June 9, 2003. I have heard nothing but good things about him and I am very confident that I am going to be in the best of care. I trust that the Lord has made this choice in surgeons for me and look forward to meeting him. I will do a more complete evaluation of him as time goes on. God Bless :)......June 14, 2003 UPDATE...Met with Alice and Dr. Higa on June 9th and all I can say is that once I met them both I knew that I am in safe hands. I know the everything is going to be ok. The office staff is VERY busy but my appointment was at 10:30 and I was seen by 10:50 and was out of there by 11:30 so it was not problem at all. Dr. Higa and Alice are the best choice I could have ever made. I am truly confident and blessed to have them doing my surgery. They made the risks very clear and were very upfront and did not sugar coat anything. I believe that the bedside manner and patient understanding is the best I have ever seen in any doctor or practitioner I have ever met. I know they want you to put the negative out there too, however I can honestly and humbily say that I have nothing negative to say about either Alice or Dr. Higa. So, it is WELL worth the wait to have Dr. Higa do your surgery. God Bless :) July 18, 2003...I have a date with Dr. Higa...Aug 5, 2003 at Clovis Community...weeeehooooweeee God Bless

I have only met Dr. Higa via a videotaped seminar. My consultation was with Alice Jackson, NP. I was excited when I left there, but then she called a week later to tell me I needed to lose 50 lbs. before they would proceed. Everyone advised me to find another Dr., due to my particular circumstances that keep me from losing weight. However, she called back again the following week and said if I would have the sleep study test for sleep apnea, they would proceed. I am anxious to personally interact with Dr. Higa himself and to have my surgery soon.

My first impression of Dr. Higa was that he is a very quite man. I wasn't really sure what to expect. He is friendly and informative. But he is really low key. Alice is Nurse Pratiotioner is awesome. I have actually seen her more often then I have Dr. Higa. I felt very lucky to have Dr. Higa as a surgeon though, because his reputation is awesome. I don't care how talkative someone is if they are going to be cutting me open I want them to know their stuff.

When I went into the operating room he asked me what kind of music I liked - Heck I thought. I am gonna be sleeping- I asked him- "what kind of music do you like!!!" whatever made him happy was fine with me!!!

After surgery he went out and talked to my hubby and family and let them know I was ok. And then again in my room he came in to check on me. Very nice man.

He didn't really address risks of surgery, cause I didn't really need him to cover much of anything. I have been reseearching wls forever and knew exacting what I wwas getting myself into.

I guess his surgical competence is better than his bedside manner. But I wasn't looking for someone to sit and read me a bedtime story or hold my hand. I wanted someone to perform surgery on me and have no complications. So far I haven't had any problems!!!

I would rate Dr. Higa and his staff as awesome. I know they will be there if I need them . He always has someone on call in his office and the other Dr's he works with are great also. I feel very lucky to have gotten to use him. He is my hero!!!

- I don't want to seem unbelieveable here but I did not have anything negative to say about my surgeon or his office. I think the only time I was ever close to being upset is once when I was in the waiting room and had to wait a long time. Turns out someone had a emergency though. Not their fault.

DOCTOR HIGA IS VERY KIND, FUNNY, AND EXTEMELY KNOWLEDGEABLE IN BARIATRIC SURGERY. HIS SURGICAL STAFF ARE VERY KIND AND GENIUNELY NICE PEOPLE. THEY WALKED ME THROUGH STEP BY STEP PRE-OP AND POST-OP. I DON'T THINK I COULD HAVE GONE THROUGH WITH THE SURGERY IF I DIDN'T THINK HE WAS COMPETANT.

**UPDATE**
March 8, 2003
Dr. Higa is my hero!! He is a very nice and funny man! Pre-surgery, you don't many chances to get to know him, but with the 5 day hospital stay and 1 follow-up appt., I can see who he is as a person! I think it is very important to know who is 'fiddlin' around with your innards' as I jokingling referred to it to my grandpa! I would recommend him to anyone! He IS the best!! He probably trained most of the doctors out there! :)
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Feb. 10, 2003
My surgery was moved BACK to the 25th! Dr. Higa told me that with having to basically cut my old surgery out, the risks of surgery are doubled for me. He was very nice, didn't mention the fact that I'd gained about 10lbs. since last year!
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Jan. 3, 2003
My surgery date has been moved up to Feb. 14, 2003. Dr. Higa's office called me and let me know...I was so glad that they didn't push it BACK! :) I have my pre-op visit with him on Feb.10, and my 1st post-op visit set for Feb. 21.
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Nov. 2002
I have my pre-op appt. with Dr. Higa on Feb. 19, 2003, with my surgery date set for Feb. 25th! I have been waiting such a long time for this surgery...but I know it will all be worth it!!
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Nov. 8, 2001
I met with Dr. Higa, he is a very warm and sincere man. I feel very confident that he is the best choice for my surgery! He said he was sure he could help me, and even ventured to say that he felt he could go with the Lap! Of course it all depends on the 'status of my previous surgery', so he is sending me to a another dr. to have some tests done...didn't sound like I was gonna like what would be done, but I gotta do what I gotta do! I'll keep ya all posted on how things go. Oh, one thing, the psych evail. doctor they use asks for $235. up front!! So guess what I'm giving myself for Christmas!?
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Sept. 28th, 2001
I went to the seminar...one more hurdle out of the way! Although I already knew everything that was presented, I can see how these seminars would be helpful for those who do not have the internet, or have just started their journey. Dr. Ho was the speaker, and like I've heard before, she is YOUNG!! Quite pleasant and informative. She seems to be honestly concerned for the well being of the overweight. Nothing condescending, but you can tell she is passionate about her field. I would be VERY pleased to have her as my surgeon. I have an appointment date with Dr. Higa set for Oct. 22nd. I'll post more when I meet him.


Aug. 9, 2001
I haven't met him yet, but I do have a date set for my mandatory seminar. I have a referrel for my consult too! Just have to wait till December!

I have yet to meet Dr. Higa, but will update when I do.