Surgical Weight Loss at Fountain Valley Regional Hospital

Dr Russo has been my surgeon for 3 surgeries now.

Sleeve - September 18, 2017
Gallbladder- February 26, 2018
Bypass revision - August 6th, 2018

His bedside manner is excellent and hes super patient in answering questions, or rewording if you dont understand exactly what is said or going on. He is EXTREMELY proactive when a problem surfaces of finding put whats going on and how to resolve it as he did with my gallbladder and my acid reflux which led to my revision.

It's hard to find doctors who genuinely care for their patients and dont just see another paycheck... dr russo is one of those that sees a person and not just a dollar sign. I am super happy with my surgeon and my results and would recommend him to anyone!!

I would recommend Dr. Russo to anyone who would like to get their procedure done. He is willing to spend as much time as you need to cover any questions you may have or even to give you the answers to questions you didn't think to ask. Whenever we had an appointment, he never seemed rushed and always paid attention to the task at hand. Dr. Russo even went above and beyond to make sure I had the proper services I needed in a timely manner. He treats you like a person, which I have found is a rare quality in the doctors I have known.

As for the surgery itself, things went very smoothly. I was up and moving within hours after, and by the 5th day I was out and about the town (certainly not recommended by my doctors!!). Four months have passed since I got the sleeve done and I have yet to experience any severe effects. My scars are also healing very nicely. I have currently lost 85 lbs, but your mileage may vary.

TL;DR: He is a brilliant doctor and surgeon and I heartily give my recommendation.

I had the gastric Y procedure done by Dr. LePort in January of 2011. At the time the procedure was done I weighed 395 pounds, 6'-0", 50 years old. I am writing this review at the end of May 2012, I have lost to date 215 pounds. I currently wiegh 180 pound, I am a 33 waist, (at the time of surgery I wore a tight 54 paint), I wear Large shirts, (at the time of surgery I wore a shug XXXXL). At the time of surgery I was Hypertensive, I took 250 mg Diovan daily, Diabetic Type II, I took a combo of Glucophage and Actos 500/1000 mg, twice a day, my blood surgars, on a good day hovered around 127. I had sleep apneia, but refused to wear that constrictive device at night, and my wife had moved out of the bed room due to horrible snoring, you could hear it outside with the windows closed. I have never had any coronary or other issues and my cholrestoral has always been normal.

Immediately afrer sugery, within 48 hours, blood pressure returned to normal and has remained there, off meds. 6 months after surgery my blood sugars returned to normal, I am 102-104 regardless of time of day, prior to or after meals, no change. 6 months after surgery I no longer had sleep apneia. I take NO meds at all.

After surgery I lost an average of 1 pound per day for the six weeks and continued to lose weight at consistant and constant rate until January of 2012, when I reached 190 pounds. I lost another 10 in the last four months. I fluctuate about 1-2 pounds depending on my internal schedule of evacuation - Poop. I take all the vitamins and supplements and follow a simple and easy diet. I don't drink, I eat between 4-5 fruits a day, a small salad and consumed 180 grams of protein daily, fish or turkey. I cannot tolerate pork or beef anymore, and I don't miss it.

The surgery was NOT a magic bullet, I followed and continue the diet and eating routines that I learned prior to and immediately after surgery, that is why I was successful. I never had a soda pop fetish, nor was I a sweet/chocolate/junk food Junkie. I ate a lot of food and I use to consume beer...a lot of beer, I no longer drink.

If anyone choses this procedure you better realize it is NOT just a matter of getting stapled and returning to your pre-surgery way of eating and living, that ALL has to change. If YOU don't change mentally and physically on how you eat, think about food/drink and excercise....save your money and don't put your body through the procedure. It is a total and complete waste of your time and if you end up going back to your past habits and gain all or NOT even lose a pound - I know several of these people and they blame everyone but themselves for their present morbidly obese condition.

This procedure is the best thing that I have ever done for myself. I have absolutely no regrets having this done. It is work, it is not fun, the retraining of how you eat and look at food takes a few months to get programed in your brain. Now it is second nature for me.

My daily menu

Protein Shake for breakfast - Reduced Fat Milk - two scoops of powder - 80 grams of protein.

Lunch - Banana, 4-6 oz of sliced roasted turkey breast, 2-3 slices of provolone cheese, carrots or celery sticks, 2-3 stone ground crackers.

Dinner - 4 oz of pasta, olive oil, anchovies, garlic, tomatoes, basil - Heated and in a bowl.

Fill in snacks - apples, strawberries, fresh fruit, banana. 2-3 pieces daily.

I drink a minimum of 5 litres of water a day, every day...over the course of the whole day.

All the meals take a while to eat. You learn to chew it all real well. If you don't it will come right back up, embarassing in public - been there, done it, once and learned.

Your diet needs will change - You will find foods that you use to eat or love, you are no longer able to tolerate and keep down. Part of the program, deal with it.

I do not eat any junk, sugar, candy, donuts, cakes, and Ice Cream/frozen yogurt. If you do, you will put it all back on, your choice, I don't recommend it. I no longer drink, any alcohol, that puts the weight on faster than the junk food, your choice, your life.

If your are mentally prepared and WANT to change your entire life, old habits and your thought processes...a great procedure. If you think that you have this done and you are going to keep doing what you have done to yourself to get you to this place now. Well save your money, don't waste the surgeons time or yours...have another pizza or whatever you are doing to yourself that you have read this far and now feel insulted by my comment.

Good luck to those serious about losing the weight and changing your life.

I had a two night stay at Fountain Valley Regional Hospital for my Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy in November 2011. From the time I was admitted and taken to my room, the service was EXCELLENT. The staff were very attentive and took care of all my needs. I was checked regularly for my vitals (temp, b/p etc), given breathing treatments, had blood taken daily, assisted with walking and going to the bathroom when needed, given my medications daily, physical therapy, offered a sponge bath or a shower etc.

Dr. Ali was my surgeon and he came and spoke to me prior to going to the OR and was very caring and calming. He came and checked on me every morning. The Anesthesiologist (can't remember his name) was also very caring prior to my surgery. The Nurse that prepped me for surgery was also very gentle putting in my IV. All the Nurses and assistants throughout my whole stay were wonderful.

The nursing staff was excellent. The pre-op and post-op staff were excellent as well. My room was always clean. I don't have any complaints about this hospital. The care I recieved was excellent and I felt very well taken care of and really that was all that mattered to me.

I realize that no surgical experience is enjoyable, but having surgery at this hospital is the one thing I would have changed in my journey. The nursing staff was great, but the facility itself is old and dumpy. I was supposed to have a private room and I had at least one roommate at all times. The room I had overlooked a patio with clear non-smoking signs, yet I saw several people, both employees and visitors, smoke on this patio. The planters were waist-high with weeds. I would not recommend this facility.

Great surgeon, very straight forward and business oriented. Surgical skill level is tops and that is the most important to me. Office staff is professional and worked with me well. No long waiting periods to see the doctor. PA mostly handle aftervsurgery appointment. They seem very competent. I would recommend to those serious about the surgery - the office and doctor don't try to talk you into it. I was impressed with each person I have dealt with.

needs updating, looks worn.

I had my initial visit with Dr. LePort at the Doctors Talk. He seemed to take a lot of pride in what he does (WLS) and well he should. He seems very straight forward, no sugar coating. I look forward to our one to one meeting.

Im OUT and feeling better...Thank god for my surgeon he was GREAT!!! at first when it came to push and shove he did both to get me to lose weight but thank godness he was able to get in without making the large incisions. His office staff are the BEST!!! My nurses at Orange Coast Memorial were so helpfull and sweet(Mandy was the greatest god bless her) The after care at the hospital is very well structured. They treat you with alot of respect and encouragement. I would rate the hospital and my doctor both a 10!!!