El Camino Hospital Hospital
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I attended two of Dr. Rabkin's seminar-support group meetings. Both were led by Program Director, Barbara Metcalf, RN. Dr. Rabkin explained medical issues, elaborated on the benefit of the DS over the RnY, and clearly discussed the risk vs benefit for the MO. He pointed out that the risk of death is the same as for other surgeries performed on the MO. It's not the surgery, it's being MO, but it's WLS that gets the bad reputation. He does both DS and RnY, but only the RnY when an insurer won't pay for the DS.
He has performed an evolving series of weight loss surgeries since the 70s,and has published in peer review journals. He has trained with the best and is now in the forefront. He is completing the longest range study of post-op WLS patients that has been reported. This 10 year study has the potential to help the MO on many levels.
The seminars were rich in information; financial details, medical follow-up, risk vs benefit, availability of local housing for immediate post-op recovery, and aftercare information were all carefully explained. The handouts had just about everything a person would need to be informed.
The "Post-ops" were inspiring. Pacific Laparoscopy (Dr. Rabkin's office) produces a calendar every year with B&A photos of his patients. I looked through two year's worth and some of the people were at the seminar. Everyone was great about sharing their experiences. I remain in awe of the revelation of who exists behind the mask of obesity.
Other than Barbara, I've only spoken by phone with office staff and they were all friendly. One week after my initial consult at the Ventura, CA satellite office, the authorization request was mailed by Dr. Rabkin's staff.
Dr. Rabkin offers a unique arrangement with a local hospital for "cash" patients that has agreed to cap all expenses relating to surgery at $75,000. While this sounds like a lot of money, in the event of complications, we all know how very expensive hospital care is so to have a cap is a blessing.
So far, I've found nothing negative to report.
Very kind, truly compassionate and very skilled. Confident without arrogance.
Dr. Foster is absolutely wonderful at what she does. She comes across very competent and caring without the put-off of the "surgeon's ego." Her office staff are all very friendly, professional, and efficient as well.
In speaking with Dr. Foster, I found that she really takes the time to discuss all of the issues, go through what her expectations and her goals would be, make sure that your expectations and goals are a good fit and realistic, and answer all of the questions. I truly appreciated that she speaks just as easily, candidly, and sensitively when speaking technically and when speaking more casually. I work in healthcare and had many detailed technical questions, but my wife, who was with me, does not work in healthcare and would not have been able to follow the conversation if Dr. Foster had not been as sensitive to that.
I came in to see Dr. Foster since my insurance (Blue Cross) is likely to cover the Roux-en-y gastric bypass, and my primary care physician's medical group referred me to her. However, I was also interested in attempting to secure coverage for a duodenal switch (which was my first choice as a surgical intervention). My thought was that if my insurance carrier or medical group denies me coverage to have the DS, I want to keep my option for the Roux-en-y open. I discussed this right up front with Dr. Foster who was absolutely fabulous about discussing the philosophy behind each procedure with me, why she doesn't perform the DS, who she feels is a good surgeon who does perform the DS, and what the significant factors are in comparing the two procedures and determining which is most appropriate for me.
Dr. Foster has an extremely thorough pre-op plan, and a very well-structured post-op/aftercare program. She follows her patients closely and takes an active role in working with psychological support for behavior modification, and in assisting patients to find good physical fitness programs and regimes.
Dr. Foster does require that a person lose approximately 10% of his or her total body weight before proceeding with the surgery. She feels that it makes the operation safer to perform laparoscopically as the liver will be reduced in size proportionally. Further, she requires that this weight loss be achieved by following to the greatest extent possible, the diet that one must follow post-op. Her rationale is that it prepares a patient for real life following the procedure and establishes good habits beforehand.
While I agree that her reasoning is sound from a medical standpoint and from a psychological standpoint, I am aware that most surgeons do not require something like this. From those patients of Dr. Foster I have spoken with, it seems that I am not alone in being less than enthusiastic about losing weight to have the weight loss surgery. This is the only negative aspect or downside I see in working with Dr. Foster.
Overall, I rate Dr. Foster to be a perfect 10. I feel quite privileged to be able to work with her in planning my surgery, and I would highly recommend her to anyone who is interested in bariatric surgery without reservation.
My husband and I met with Dr Foster for the consult visit. She seemed very caring and well informed. I have to admit that I did struggle with having to lose weight before the surgery. I have some physical problems so it was difficult to exercise as much as I would of liked to in helping me lose the weight. Dr Foster was understanding and I felt comfortable in talking to her about my concerns.
Her staff was very friendly and caring.
During my hospital stay Dr Foster was very caring and attentive to my questions.
I felt that the hospital does a great job to get you registered and the pre-surgery classes were very helpful.
I feel that the aftercare could be stronger. I am alittle over one month out and still feel sort of lost in terms of - "it this normal" "does everyone have these feelings" But I do think that connecting with someone from the support groups and emailing is very helpful...
Overall I feel that Dr Foster, her staff, the hospital and staff all do a fine job.
My first visit with Dr. Foster was excellent! She is very straight forward and to the point, no monkey business. She appeared very confident and competent and was enjoyable to visit with as well.
She takes pride in doing a good job to help you understand WLS and what will be expected of you pre and post-op. My other visits with her were the same I lost 14 lbs on my 2nd visit and then 1 lb on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th staying on the downward ceurve was important to her even tho it was only 1 lb. It was very frustrating to me tho. The date was set and I the insurance was approved on already on the 5th visit and i was scheduled for 12-8-03. This all happened one day before my 50th birthday, I expressed that i was going out for my birthday and she told me if my friends actually cared about me they would take me out to do something fun and not make it food. That was funny of course we had planned a big dinner. My next visit was my preop in 20 days and I was informed that she would not tolereate me gaining weight, in fact if i gained i would have my surgery cancelled. She is very matter of fact you need to help yourself and prepare for the surgery correctly. My preop was scheduled the day before Thanksgiving. Oh I thought I will be able to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner. Unfortunatly or maybe fortunatly she was held up in surgery and the preop was rescheduled to 12-5. Now I really had to be good, and I was down 7 lbs when i had my preop. Surgery day 12-8-03, I am still not believing that it is all happening I was sure I would wake up from the anesthetic and be told sorry we could not do your surgery. Was I surprised I woke up and all was done and it was done by lap and I was fine. It went so easy... Thanks to Dr Foster and a great anesthesiologist. He said I just gave you a little something to relax you and that was all I remember.
That night was a little difficult nothing to swollow I was so dry, but it passed quickly and 8 am down to xray for the dye test. I was so suprised there was Dr. Foster greeting me how was your night , how are you doing. Explained the test introduced the radiologist stayed through the test and after to explain the results and show me the films. WOW!! She expected my best and she gave her best and more!! I am an LVN and haved worked in the medical field since i was 16. I would recommed her to anyone she is an excellent surgeon she follows her patients through all the steps to prepare and with follow thru. On a scale of 1-10 i would rate her a 20...
The only downside to El Camino is that the Peninsula Surgical Specialists (Dr. Foster's group) has only just started doing bariatric procedures there, so the bariatric staff is still in the "getting-to-know-you" phase with the hospital. Additionally, the post-op staff is just starting to learn the routines for bariatric patients. However, the staff is trying extra hard to work for their new segment of the community, and nearly all of the bariatric equipment is brand new. Overall, the care and professionalism at El Camino Hospital are simply excellent, and I recommend the hospital wholeheartedly.
The moment I met Dr.Foster, I liked her immediately. She was very warm, friendly, genuine and sincere. The office staff has been extremely professional and personable.
I started my WLS journey at UCSF and was very unhappy because of the unprofessionalism and lack of concern with their staff. I spoke with my primary care physician about my concerns and she immediately referred me to Dr.Foster's office. I'm sure glad she did because I've been extremely happy from the first day I called. The surgery coordinator, Yvette, has been exceptionally helpful and was able to work with my insurance to get me approved without a hitch! Although this site recommends stating anything negative, I really don't have anything negative to say about Dr.Foster or her staff. It's been a great experience since I've transferred to her office.
I am currently three plus weeks post-op and I am feeling fantastic. Looking back at this journey I have taken for the last six months I have to thank Dr. Foster because when we I first met her I had already lost about twenty pounds and showed her that I was very serious about the procedure. She was very honest and put all the cards on the table; She said that this is not the end all to be all. You have to make a 100%commitment to a complete lifestyle change and follow the directions and advice she offers; and I have to the letter. As I am writing this I have lost almost 70 pounds nearly 40% of the goal I have set to lose. I could not have done this without Dr. Foster's help.
The gastric bypass procedure is not a diet into itself and I do not recommend for everybody unless you are willing to put in the time and effort and education necessary for this life altering (and I can not emphasize this enough) change.
I give Dr. Foster my highest recommendation; She is a top shelf professional and is serious about her job and the care of her patients.
She can be blunt and a little abrasive but she is usually right in her advice and assessments. She is very careful and protective about patient safety and well being.