El Camino Hospital Hospital

I have met very few people I like as much as my surgeon. Sometimes you can just tell when someone really knows what the are doing. An amazing individual that has not saved my life but changed it in ways that I never even thought about. At 42 years of age I am now doing things that even if I lost the weight I never thought I would be doing. Weight can be a tru handicap but once it's under control age is truly just a number.rnThanks Doc.

HI MY NAME IS MARYrnMY STORY STARTED ON 09/22/09 WHEN I HAD MY GASTRO BYPASS SURGERY MY WEIGHT WAS 270 I HAD DIABETES HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE BACK ACHES AND KNEE PAIN. KNOW AFTER TWO MONTHS I AM A NEW WOMEN AND I AM VERY HAPPY WITH MYSELF.I TAKE NO MEDS ANYMORE NO PAIN MEDS EATHER.I FEEL MORE ENERGETIC AND FULL OF LIFE.I AM ABLE TO HAVE FUN WITH GRANDCHILDRE AND ENJOY LIFE WITH ALL MY FAMILY, ITS ALL THANKS TO BEN AND DR ZARE FOR GIVEING ME A SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE. THANKS TO THEM MY WEIGHT KNOW IS 211LBS rnrn

Dr. Rabkin performed my DS on June 17, 2009. I'd heard about him from two sources - my daughter saw him on a local talk show and sent me to his informative website, and a distant relative, who is a medical professional in the San Francisco Bay Area, recommended him when she heard I was investigating BS.

Dr. Rabkin is a kind, gentle, and understanding human who is also a top notch bariatric surgeon. About 3 weeks after surgery and just before a long weekend, I needed to see him because I was worried that my wound was infected. He did not make me wait until after the holiday, even though most of his staff were already gone. He went out of his way to meet me at the medical office I was familiar with, when he was actually at his other office and had to drive over to see me. This seems like a small detail, but it reflects the lengths he will go to make his patients comfortable. I know he cares about me as a person, not just a body.

His entire office is friendly and approachable. Dana and Barbara answered every single question I had beforehand, and I had a lot. I joined the online mailing list, and have used it to get many of my questions answered by others who have had BS before me. I really feel like part of a community.

My only complaint about the entire surgical experience was due to a nursing oversight at the hospital I was at, St. Mary's. There was one hour where I was locked into my bed with the rails up and the call button box on the floor. I yelled my head off, but evidently no one heard me. Luckily, I did not need any critical help at that time. I addressed my experience with the head of nursing and felt they would make changes so this would not be repeated with other patients. The rest of my stay at St. Mary's was excellent, with good care and special equipment available due to my weight and lack of mobility. The lesson I learned was to keep my cell phone handy - I could have called the nurses station!

Update:rnrnDr. Zare was a wonderful surgeon and is a great Dr ongoing. He is genuinely concerned and really cares about you as a person, not just a patient. His staff is also caring and kind. I would and have recommended him to others.rnrnCR

From the first day that I walked into Dr. Zare's office he and his staff put me at ease. I weighed 351 pounds at my first appointment with him. I'm now 5 weeks post surgery and weigh 292 pounds. This has been the best think I have ever done for myself. Thank you very much Dr. Zare & Ben you have truly put my life on a new, better path.rnrnBob

I liked how Dr. Zare explained the surgery process from start to finish. Dr. Zare is a great doctor and has great skills. Ben his office staff help me along the insurance process. This office is great!!I I have lost 52 pounds and I feel great. I would recommend Dr. Zare and his office to anyone who is considering surgery.

Update after surgery: I love the office staff at Dr Rabkins office. I really feel like they are family. They did everything to make my surgery easy for me. I love seeing them at the support group meetings. rn rnDr Rabkin and Dana Benner are the best!!! I am so glad I had the honor of having them perform my surgery. Even my husband who is the biggest worrier in history had complete faith in their abilities. rnrnThis is such an involved and important surgery to get right. I paid out of pocket for Dr Rabkin because I wanted someone experienced and well-known. I had one in-network option for surgery but went with my instincts instead. I couldn't be happier. rnrnI met Dr. Rabkin at my consult and found him to be very easy to talk to and very honest about obesity. I know that he is the best and he is the doctor I want and trust. I look forward to having insurance approval so I can get moving!

Dr. Zare has been fantastic so far. I am just starting the process and he has taken excellent care of me. Ben, who works with Dr. Zare has been so nice, and so helpful. I feel like I am in very good hands.

I have to admit when I called to set up an appointment I was a little nervous. I had researched all the different types of WLS and was looking for a surgeon that I could trust with my life. I had looked into a Dr. in Monterey but did not feel confident at all so it actually caused me to postpone and have serious second thoughts. I then was told by my PCP about Dr. Zare. She had rave reviews of his work from some of her patients. I have to say from the first phone call to their office and speaking with Ben I had a completely different feel then from any other office I had called. Ben was so kind and very calming. Dr. Zare called me latter that night to discuss the process and procedures and we set up a office visit. I did my own research on Dr. Zare and found nothing but rave reviews for him and his staff. We discussed all the options available to me and what Dr. Zare felt would work best for me and my weight loss goals. I left the office knowing I would trust Dr. Zare with my life. Working with Ben was a pleasure. He told me what I needed for my insurance company, he gave me the information I needed and I made the appointments...submitted all the papers I needed to and everything was submitted. I had approval withing 24 hours. And the date was set. rnrnDr. Zare was amazing. I felt so blessed to have him as my surgeon. He is the Best. His staff is the Best. The hospital he works with is the Best. I am a blessed woman to have him as my surgeon. I would recommend Dr. Zare in a New York minute.

March 2012 - 3 year update!!!! I am happy to report that 3 years after surgery I have maintained my incredible weight loss. My current weight is 150 with a BMI of 23. Since my surgery I have become MUCH more active!!! I take yoga classes regularly and have become a runner. (Last year I ran 3 half marathons, and am currently training for my 4th). Amazing that I can now run 13+ miles where as before I could barely walk down the street!!!! Dr. Zare' continues to provide a wealth of knowledge and support during my lifelong journey to be healthy. Thanks Dr. Zare'!!!!

Sept 09 - My surgery was 6 months ago. I am amazed at how fast my life and body has changed. I have lost over 100 pounds and my BMI has gone from Morbidly Obese to get this NORMAL. I am 13 pounds away from my goal and life is fantastic. Dr. Zare' has been with me every step of the way. From follow up visits to phone calls. When I have needed him he has been there (and Ben is pretty great too). I even get calls just to make sure I am doing good and staying on track. I could not have chosen a better surgeon or office to be my partner through my bariatric surgery. Thanks for saving my life and helping me make the best of my future!rnrnFeb 09 - After having my insurance approved and then denied 4 years ago (and losing and gaining 50 pounds) - I felt like I was ready to start the process of looking into weight loss surgery once again. I met with 3 surgeons in the San Jose area and was most impressed with Dr. Zare' and his office coordinator, Ben. Dr. Zare' was very informative in explaining the benefits/risks of gastric bypass vs lap band. His friendly, relaxed and upbeat manner reassured me that he was the surgeon for me. I did not feel any pressure from him or his office (which I did from one of the other surgeons). My approval process was incredibly fast (thanks Ben) and I was scheduled for surgery on March 4, 2009. My surgery did not go as smooth as planned due to a medication reaction on my part. However, Dr. Zare was completely on top of the problem, working with me, my family, the nurses and additional doctors to resolve the problem. His bedside manner was fantastic, always reassuring me in his calm manner that everything was going to work out fantastic (and it did!) plus he was always available (checking in on me in person numerous times a day and by phone with the nursing staff). I was well aware of the risks before surgery, but never thought that I would have any problems, I am so glad that Dr. Zare was my surgeon. His conservative proactive approach and excellent surgical skills truly saved my life. I give him an A+ rating in both surgical competence and bedside manner.