Philip Chin Bariatric Surgeon M.D.,F.A.C.S.

I liked Dr. Chin right away, he made me feel comfortable. He answered all of my questions and was very easy to talk to. He explained the operation and what to expect after.
Both surgical competence and bedside manner are very important to me. I wouldn't let a doctor operate on me I couldn't talk to. I like the staff at his office very much. Everyone there really went out of their way to help get me approved and to get me scheduled as soon as poosible.

Dr Chin was very calm and explained about the surgery. One very important statement he made was this is just a tool for weight loss!!!

The office staff is great they called the moment they received the fax that I was approved.

I was pleased with my first meeting with Dr. Chin. His office and staff was warm and freindly (except they need new magaizines)
I had already made up my mind that I wanted a laperscopic gastric bypass, and well some of his comments led me to beleive he would rather do this surgery open (which I am scared to death of) I am not sure if he would rather do it open because of the risks or his lack of experince with the other.
So now I will do more research on both.

I did this a little backwards as I really was running on faith. I travelled down to Fountain Valley to have my surgery. My home in Oregon was over 1000 miles away. I met Dr Chen the day before my surgery for the first time. He was very pleasant and wanted to make sure I understood the procedures. I must say I didn't have a very good expereience with the office staff. When I showed up for my appointment 8 am I was sitting in the lobby all by myself. I overhead one of the office workers (Vicki) discussing my case and making statements how they shouldn't let people come up and take all their tests two days before surgery. She said "Don't they have doctors where they come from?" I was appalled, and let my prescense be known. I came so close to backing out of the surgery just because of their office staff. However, I must say Dr. Chen was wonderful. Lite Dimensions in Fountain Valley is the Clinic name. The Fountain Valley hospitals is a wonderful place to have any kind of surgery. Everyone I met was incredibly wonderful. They really care about patient care and well being. You feel like a person that's getting a humans attention. I can't say enough about all of the staff there.I would certainly give the hosptial 10 stars, Dr. Chen 7 Stars, and the Lite Dimensions Staff 1 Star! I explicitly state that these are my personal impressions of my own personal experience and that I am making no statements about what other people may experience.

1st impression, guiet,soft spoken, gentle. Informative.




Office staff very nice,very busy office but always pleasant.



Check out his credentials, has a good surgery background and education





Over all I rate him very hi





surgical competence is better

I was originally scheduled with Dr. LePort on July 30, but couldn’t wait that long. I rescheduled with Dr. Chin, and my appointment was moved up to July 3, 2001. I met Dr. Chin and was pleasantly surprised by his professional demeanor. I thought he would rush in and rush out, quite the contrary; he spent a considerable amount of time talking to me about the surgery and was glad to answer all of my questions. The office was immaculate and the staff seemed knowledgeable about the concerns of bariatric patients. It was a win-win. The approval from PacifiCare should be back in 2-4 weeks, and the surgery date will either be in August or September. I am extremely optimistic. 300+ pounds with a BMI of 54 should get me through the door.
UPDATE: I called on July 16th to find out about my referral and was told because of my insurance (PacifiCare), I was switched to Smart Dimensions instead of Lite Dimensions. My physician stays the same but my surgery will be at Orange Coast instead of Fountain Valley. I spoke to Linda in the office (who processed my paperwork) and she has been extremely pleasant. The surprise is that the paperwork wasn't turned in until July 18th (saw them on the 3rd) and I was approved on the 19th.
I am on my way!

08-26-01 Update:
My surgery went well, had gallbladder removed due to stones. My surgery was delayed 4 hours because of the patient before me. Dr. Chin refused to let me have any fluids until I had a gastric test for leaks two days following the surgery. On the evening of the third day, I was finally allowed to drink, by that time, I could've cared less.

Regarding the hospital: Immaculate, well stocked with supplies and extremely clean.

Regarding the staff: Evening staff most superior to morning staff, this may be because of decline in patient calls, doctor requests for services, etc. Overall the care was excellent, the evening shift seemed quicker to respond.

Regarding my Physician: Dr. Chin has an excellent bedside manner, great physician whom I definately recommend to anyone seeking surgery or just information. The program is highly structured, but you are responsible for reading the information and asking questions. It is your responsibility to follow up on the procedure, the diet, the risks, etc. Yours and yours alone.

I met with Dr. Leport a week ago. I took copies of all the feedback from other patients about him. I found him to be very
confident, concerned and I felt immediately comfortable that he was performing my surgery. So far, everyone I have met or talked to in his office goes out of their way to make you feel comfortable and at ease.
So far so good. Now I'm waiting for insurance auth. but am told my company usually is fast with this. I'm going to call tomorrow anyway to check progress as I want this done ASAP.

He discussed the surgical risks in a very clear and concise way without terrorizing me. I feel secure with him.

I would give him a high rating at this point but I will make an addendum post-op.
Post Op Addendum:
Met with Dr. Chin as I was having a great deal of pain and sickness due to gallbladder. Met with him on Monday, surgery set for Wednesday, nice not to have to think about it for a long time. Doctors were great. Went to Orange Coast Medical Center Hospital - WHAT A PIT! I got angry and left 3 days after surgery. They left me laying in urine soaked sheets, would not help me get up to walk, there was NEVER a walker left in room, nurses did not respond to call button whether to help me toilet or when I dropped the morphine button. Hope I don't ever have to go there again.

I FLEW OUT TO SANTA ANA, CA FROM OAKLAND, CA ON THURSDAY, JULY 19, 2001 AT 9:41AM. MY ENTIRE TRIP WAS SO VERY SMOOTH. I FOUND EVERYTHING REALLY EASILY, IT WAS IF EVERYTHING WAS WAITING FOR ME TO ARRIVE. I HAD TIME TO SPARE BECAUSE I ARRIVED AT 10:00AM, BUT MY FIRST APPTS. DIDN'T START UNTIL 2:30PM. IT ALLOWED ME TIME TO FIND HOTELS, STORES, MALLS, GAS STATIONS ETC. FOR MY RETURN TRIP. I WAS PLEASED WHEN I ARRIVED TO DISCOVER THAT FOUNTAIN VALLEY HOSPITAL IS JUST THAT, A HOSPITAL WHICH HAS DEDICATED SOME RESOURCES INTO THE BARIATRIC PROGRAM. THE BEDDING, GOWNS AND STAFF ARE ALL EQUIPPED TO HANDLE THE LARGER PATIENT. THAT HELPED ME TO FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH THE FACILITY. WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY APPT. I MET WITH ONE OF THE NURSES ON STAFF. SHE TOOK ME INTO A PATIENT ROOM RIGHT AWAY, WHERE MY PICTURE WAS TAKEN (WHAT A DAY FOR ME TO DECIDE NOT TO WEAR MAKE UP). I WAS THAN WEIGHED AND MEASURED, ALONG WITH HOLDING AN INSTRUMENT AT ARMS LENGTH WHICH MEASURED MY BMI. I THEN WENT TO THE PATIENT ORIENTATION WITH ANOTHER NURSE WHO TOLD ME SHE WOULD BE MY DIETICIAN AND ALSO THE NURSE VISITING ME EVERYDAY I'M IN THE HOSPITAL. SHE ALSO ASSURED ME THAT I COULD CALL AS OFTEN AS I NEEDED AFTER MY SURGERY WITH ANY CONCERNS I MIGHT HAVE. SHE WENT OVER THE PROGRAM AND WHAT I COULD EXPECT FROM THE STAFF AND DOCTORS. IT WAS VERY INFORMATIVE. PROMPTLY AT MY APPOINTMENT TIME I WENT IN TO SEE DR. CHIN WHO WILL BE DOING MY SURGERY. HE LOOKS TO BE ABOUT MY AGE, 38-40 YEARS OLD. HE HAD JUST SEEN TWO OTHER PATIENTS PRIOR TO MY GOING IN SO I HAD A FEEL FROM EACH OF THEM THAT HE WAS GREAT. THEY EACH LEFT HAPPIER THAN WHEN THEY CAME IN. IN ADDITION HE WAS TALKING WITH ANOTHER PATIENT ON THE PHONE AND WANTED TO MAKE SURE THEY GOT INTO THE HOSPITAL TO BE CHECKED OUT THAT DAY. SO OVERALL, HE SEEMED TO BE VERY CARING. THE OFFICE STAFF WERE VERY FRIENDLY AND HELPFUL. I'M OUT OF THE AREA AND ASKED FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION THAT WOULD HELP ME WHEN I WASN'T IN THE HOSPITAL, BUT JUST FINDING MY WAY AROUND THE CITY IN GENERAL. SO FAR, I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING THAT I DON'T LIKE ABOUT THE DOCTOR, HE WENT OVER ALL OF THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SURGERY, AND MY GENERAL HEALTH, AS WELL I HAD ABOUT TWO PAGES OF QUESTIONS THAT I WANTED ANSWERED, AND HE DID SO WITHOUT HURRYING ME, OR MAKING ME FEEL THAT ANY OF MY QUESTIONS WERE SILLY. HE REALLY PROMPTED ME TO ASK ANYTHING THAT I WASN'T SURE OF. THE OFFICE STAFF DEALT WITH THE AFTERCARE ISSUES, AND THE DOCTOR DEALT WITH ALL OF THE SURGICAL RISKS, BENEFITS, AND MEDICAL TERMS. I EVEN WENT BEYOND THIS SURGERY EX. IF HE SAW ANYTHING ELSE INSIDE WHILE I WAS OPEN, AND WHAT ELSE DOES HE LOOK AT WHILE HE'S IN THERE. HE WAS GREAT ABOUT ALL OF THAT. HOWEVER, I WANTED HIM TO TAKE OUT MY GALL BLADDER SO I WONT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT LATER, BUT HE SAID NO IF IT'S HEALTHY HE'S NOT GOING TO BOTHER IT. SO MUCH FOR KILLING TWO BIRDS WITH ONE STONE. I HAVE KAISER, BUT IT REQUIRES TOO MUCH WAITING, AND I'M PLAYING BEAT THE CLOCK AT 340#, 38 YEARS OLD; AND A LONG FAMILY HISTORY OF HEART PROBLEMS, DIABETES, HIGH BLOOD ETC. ETC. ETC. I WANT TO DO THIS WHILE I'M AS HEALTHY AS POSSIBLE AT 300#, I DON'T WANT TO WAIT TIL I'M ON MEDS BEFORE I DECIDE TO DO SOMETHING.

1. Was informative
2. My impression got even fonder he is a great doctor and person.

3. very helpful
4. nothing
5. Dr. Chin and his staff are always willing to be there if you have any problems or questions (concerns).
6. emphasizes aftercare being very important and with great outcome
7. yes...support groups and nutrionists there to help with any questions or concerns.
8. yes
9. a very high 9

10. Surgical ...bedside manner not concerning the doctor not so great I had some problems with the aftercare nurses at the hospital and with the hospital.

I had my first appointment with Dr. Le Port
on Sept. 16th. He is a no nonsense physician.
He thoroughly explained the RNY procedure as
well as giving me his expectations of me as
a patient and member of the "team".

His staff is very friendly and professional.
I was given a packet of information that
contained his "curriculum vitae". Dr. Le Port
is currently the Director of Bariatric Surgery
Program at Fountain Valley Regional Hospital in
Fountain Valley,California...and Director of
Bariatric Surgery at Orange Coast Memorial in
Fountain Valley, California.

My packet also contains information about pre and
post op, hospital details, and general information
about WLS (Weight Loss Surgery).

Dr. Le Port has group meetings on Mondays and
Thursdays, although he is not always able to
attend, he has a terrific staff that supervise the
sessions.

Since seeing Dr. Le Port I have had my psych-
ological evaluation and everything is now in
the hands of his staff in processing the
insurance approval. The wait begins.

Since writing this over a year ago, I was denied coverage because the insurance company said my primary care physician did not provide the information they required. I wrote an appeal and it was rejected.

My Dr. and I decided to document my health for one full year and resubmit which we did 2 months ago. My referral to a surgeon, Dr. Chin in Dr. LePort's office was approved and I had my counseling and first meeting with the surgeon. The paperwork was submitted to the insurance company one month ago and today they notified the Dr. that I needed to provide additional information regarding my previous methods of weight reduction covering the last 20 years. I told Dr. Chin's office I wasn't going to play with them anymore...and I'm now a self-pay and my surgery is scheduled for June 26th.