Surgical Weight Loss at Fountain Valley Regional Hospital

My husband and I met and spoke with Dr. LePort at his seminar on 02/22/03 in Las Vegas, NV. Dr. LePort was very informative. He answered most of our questions and went over the various types of surgery that was available, as well as the risks and benefits. I felt very confident and submitted my insurance information. Dr. LePort's office manager will submit this information to see if my insurance will cover the procedure(s) that I need. Dr. LePort said that he would also remove my gallbladder at the same time of the RNY. I am anxiously awaiting to see if I have appropriate insurance coverage and go from there. I feel that I have at least taken the first step.

Dr. LePort impressed me during our 1st meeting. He seemed interested in me. His office staff has been very pleasant and helpful.

I chose Dr. Leport based on alot of my own research. I found him to be the most experienced bariatric surgeon in my area (Orange County, California). I was so impressed by his reputation that I was willing to pay $2500 of my own money rather than use another surgeon in his office that would have been fully covered by my insurance. Not that the other surgeons in his office are not as qualified, I just felt more comfortable having Dr. Leport perform my surgery because of his reputation.

Dr. Leport's office is very busy but I found the staff to be well organized. I have to say that for me, everything went very smoothly. Because of my current health problems (diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure) I was approved within 3 days.

What I liked best about Dr. Leport's program is the "after care". I have 2 support group meetings each week that I can attend and they just started a meeting for long-term post ops.

Overall, I would rate the Lite Dimensions Program OUTSTANDING!

I was scheduled for dr.chin with the same group but asked to be moved forward as I am paying upfront myself and don't want to be nervous any longer than necessary so they changed me to Dr.LePort whom I have not met yet.

I have made up my mind to have this surgery and am going strictly by reputation,vibes,convenience.

I MET DR. LE PORT ON THURS. 2/13/03. MY SURGERY IS SCHEDULED ON 2/24/03. I LIKED HIM BECAUSE HE IS STRAIGHT TO THE POINT AND UP FRONT TOLD US OF POTENTIAL COMPLICATIONS. HE WAS PRETTY QUICK AND TO THE POINT AND ANSWERED ALL OF OUR QUESTIONS. HE TOTALLY MADE IT A POINT TO ENCOURAGE ME TO TRY TO GO TO AT LEAST ONE SUPPORT GROUP MEETING. HE ALSO STRESSED THAT THIS IS ONLY A TOOL TO HELP ME W/ WEIGHT LOSS. HE HAS'T PERFORMED MY WLS YET BUT I WOULD TOTALLY REFER HIM TO ANY ONE CONSIDERING WLS. IN FACT, I ALREADY HAVE! I HAVE ONE CLIENT WHO KNOWS DR. LE PORT. BACK IN 1989 HER DAUGHTER WAS IN A HORRIBLE CAR ACCIDENT IN H.B. THE PARAMEDICS TRANSFERRED HER TO FVRH AND HAD TO HAVE IMMEDIATE SURGERY. THEY TOLD HER THAT HER DAUGHTER MIGHT NOT MAKE IT OR IF SHE DID WOULD NEVER WALK AGAIN. DR. LE PORT PERFORMED NECK SURGERY ON HER AND MY CLIENT SAID," HE SAVED HER LIFE" . HER DAUGHTER IS ALIVE AND WALKING LIKE A NORMAL PERSON. THAT JUST RE-CONFIRMES HIS ABILITY AND COMPETENCE. SO I CAN'T WAIT TILL THE 24TH!!!

When I called the office for a consultation, I was told there was a three month wait but that other surgeons in his office could see me sooner. I made an appointment with Dr. Kelly Francis for 3 weeks later. During the time awaiting my consultation, I met with Smart Dimensions for a 2-hour orientation class on the various bariatric surgeries. I also took a 2-hour nutrition class on changes after my surgery. I had a one hour psych evaluation. My surgery was done by Dr. Francis with Dr. LePort as backup. The office staff was very helpful over the phone and in the office. I did not like the fact that you may have to wait a long time even though you had an appointment (but most doctor's offices are like this). My aftercare program has been great including phone calls with questions or immediate appointment when I fell at home. I cannot state enough great things about Dr. Francis (her personal attention, warm smile, great information, in-depth discussions about all areas of the surgery, surgical competence and great bedside manner). I also felt that Smart Dimensions was very helpful with all the paperwork explaining the risks of surgery and keeping in touch with me from the hospital til I went back to work.

I am a pharmaceutical sales rep and Dr. LePort came highly recommended by the physicians in my territory. His staff is excellent. I am so excited about this upcoming surgery and the beginning of the next phase of my life.

Waiting for initial presentation and then followup consultation. Good words from others who have used this surgery center.

It took me several months of waiting to finally get in to see Dr Leport. Once in his office we waited for over an hour to see a physicians assistant. After she "interviewed" me I was told that Dr Leport was running late and they wanted to re-schedule me. I insisted on waiting, and after approx another 30 minutes he took me in. Obviously a very busy office! The Dr was professional but brief, offered to answer any questions, gave what was obviously a "canned" speech, then a quick look at me.

He related the risks of surgery, but did not explain lap vs open, aftercare, or many other detailed topics. Luckily I had done some research and been to a support group so I wasn't totally uninformed.

I suggest having a comprehensive list of questions w/ you (and plenty of time on your hands).

My first impression of Dr. LePort, MD. was that I knew my PCP/PMG had picked the right man for the job. The feeling of support, confidence, and experience was there from the moment I walk through the Lite Dimension doors. I'am looking so forward to my surgery on 12/04/02 at 12:30PM. Good Luck to me, and to all that have decided to live a healthier life.