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

Dr.Higa is a very nice doctor. He seems to be very thorough with his exam. I really don't have more to say but that. I go today for my preop.I should beable to tell more later.
His office staff is helpful but I'm still not sure about them the ones in the office reception area were not friendly.

My first impression of Dr. Higa was that he was young and very nice. He conducted the consult in about 45 minutes. Answered all of my questions. He seemed to be concerned that I knew what would happen before, during and after.

Dr. Higa went over the risks of the surgery in terms that the laymen would understand. I would truly recomend him. I drove four hours to see him because another one of his patients was totally satified.

I was very impressed with his professional yet relaxed manner. He has a great sense of humor and makes you feel important. He also takes every question you have or comment seriously and is interested in how you are doing in all matters. He truely cares about his patients personal lives and is dedicated in helping us with our journey to improving the quality of life. He makes himself available in many ways and is big on pt education and awareness. His office staff and associates are top quality and its apparent high qualifications are required to be a part of the group. There is a need to follow up with the office staff regarding progress of approval and surgery dates on your part not due to incompetence but due to high volume. Aftercare is stressed as almost more important than pre care. They really want you to suceed and be on top of any complications no matter how small. They see you 6 days post op, 3 weeks, 2-3 months,through the first year and then yearly on a continual basis. Any time there are problems, they want to see you right away They go over all the risks in full detail and encourage all the questions you could come up with. You are not hurried through a visit. Dr. Higa and his associates Dr. Boone and Dr. Ho are highly rated. Pts come from all over the nation from the east coast and even Hawaii. Physicians come from all over to observe the high advanced specialty laproscopic skills they have. Dr. Higa has a very impressive list of qualifications and also instructs in Medical Teaching facilities. I can't think of one thing negative of my whole experience. I would go no other place than Fresno Valley Surgical Specialists.

I was surprised at how young he looked, but I was very impressed with his friendly manner & how knowledgeable he was. (So was my friend who is a Physicians Assistant & had an old gastric procedure that didn't do to well). I thought he was very friendly & yet did not talk down to you or use all the big words he knows to impress you. I felt very well informed of my choices, including the risks & benifits. Their office also insists that you attend a seminar that explains the entire procedure, including risks, benefits, diet, other procedures etc. The information was also given out in written form so if you didn't take it all in or forgot anything you could look it up. I am a nurse & I thought it was one of the most well put together, easily understood packets on surgery I have ever seen handed out to patients! His staff is very nice, friendly & efficient. Thank God for Laurie & Jan as they take all of my phone calls (those questions you can never think of when you have them on the phone) in good humor & answer all my questions...& if their voice mail is on they call you back quickly. Would rate him & his staff a 10!!! They also where helpful in scheduling things closer together for me so I wouldn't have to make so many trips pre-op since I live over 3 hrs. away.

He is a great man I really do like him. He makes you fell like you are some one and that you do count. I am blessed to have him for the surgery and that he does care about me.

I have not met my surgeon yet. However, the office staff has been very kind when talking to them over the phone. I do have an appointment in April!!!
Linda

He seems to be a very knowledgeable person on the subject of WLS (gee - hope so, he just did my surgery) He is very thurough. Any (I mean ANY) question asked was answered until I completely understood the answer. I think I was in pretty good hands . I would recommend him to anyone (excpt, maybe my worst enemy....don't want them to have the best you know)

My physician said he would find me the BEST surgeon for my RNY and he did. That is Dr Higa, the BEST!
My impression of Dr Higa was the same from the day I met him (consultation) until I said goodby to him at my (1 wk) post op visit.Dr Higa is warm, caring, compassionate, and very highly skilled in Lap RNY. He has charm, wit, and the greatest bedside manner. I felt very informed and confident that he would take good care of me. He called me a few days after I returned to NJ from Fresno to see how I did on the trip and how I was feeling. He conducts a support group once a month and has a online group as well. His staff seems well-informed and interested in my questions and finding answers. I highly reccommend Dr Higa, no matter how far one must travel for his services. He truly cares!!!

Dr. Higa was great! He's very up-beat and friendly.

His office runs very effieciently, it's a busy place, the office staff is very nice.

I did feel that a bit more information regarding surgery and aftercare could have been helpful. If I had to do it again, I would have made a better list of questions.

He emphasizes aftercare pleasantly but firmly, he actually called me personally a couple of days after my release from the hospital to see how I was doing.

He has a Support Group, both online and in person.

I rate him an A+

Bedside manner was great, although...I hardly saw him!
(I slept, a lot)

I had 1 office visit with him, my second visit is my pre-op on 7-17-00. However, he seems to be very carrying and understanding towards the battle of weight loss. The office is unorganized, I wanted to attend a support group prior to my surgery. I called and confirmed the meeting, however, when I drove from Hanford to Fresno, I found out it was never scheduled. This happened to several other patients whom I met that night. Everyone I met that night answered many of my questions. He comes highly recommended, therefore, it is hard to get an appointment with him. I feel that surgical competence along with a bedside manner make a doctor.