University of California, Irvine Healthcare Hospital

The day of my surgery, UCI cancelled their contract with my insurance co. My surgery was covered, but during recovery i was not in a participating hospital. No one told me until 2 weeks after surgery. i had to go through too much extra beaucracy with my insurance and UCI to make sure that my bills were paid. Stress did not help my recovery. Someone from the hospital should have informed me so i could transfer to different hospital for recovery.

First impression, Dr Nguyen is a competent professional. Very highly reccomended by my internist. Seems like the stereotype surgeon, good at doing the operation, but just ok bedside manner. I'm sure he is a nice man. Surgery more important than personality.

Office staff is great. Every appointment i meet with team members- dietician, nurse, social worker and med intern.

Last appointment i was given pre op diet list. it was very general and i need to find the proper liquid protien and vitamins. I wish I could go to the store and pick up a pre op package instead of looking through all the choices.

I found the facilities to be exceptional, but more importantly the staff was all phenomenal with one glaring exception. There was one radiology technician who was less than gentle when setting me up for an x-ray, and he pushed down on my main incision site which caused me a great deal of pain and discomfort. I found this to be an isolated occurance however, and all of the other people on the surgical floor and the nursing staff were outstanding! I could not have imagined receiving better treatment from my nurses during my stay at the hospital. I was checked on at very regularly scheduled intervals, and everything that was done was done with care. While I obviously don't have any plans or desire to check into another hospital any time soon, I would feel very comfortable going to UCI Medical Center for any future hospitalizations, and would know I could expect a great level of care.

State-of-the-art facility with the knowledge and skill level to support it.

My surgery was on January 16th, 2008, I began the process of my consultation with Dr. Nguyen on November 20th, 2007. My first impression of Dr. Nguyen was that he was someone who was very straight forward, which I consider as a good thing for the life altering surgery I was considering. It is my understanding from the team in the recovery room that Dr. Nguyens patients are only allowed to be put in private rooms after surgery and let me tell you, I may have been in revovery for a while but when I got to my room it was a private room. Dr. Nguyen and his team came in to see me see me the next morning, my white count was elevated and Dr. Nguyen basically said he didn't care if I had to stay for 2 weeks, they would get the white count down, and figure what was going on. Within 1-2 days my white count was normal. The office staff at Dr. Nguyen's office is nothing short of exceptional everyone from the girls at the front desk, Pam in the back office, Sharron, Gina, and all of the Interns. Everyone is willing to listen and answer questions. Future patients should know to make sure you ask questions because you will get a truthful answer. Aftercare is emphasized in so many different and positive ways. You have several meetings with Sharron who is the coordinator of the program and Gina who is the dietician, you are given phone numbers and email addresses for them. You are also given a very helpful book about you pre and post care that I still refer to almost on a daily basis. Along with the monthly support groups if you have a question for any of the staff it is usually answerd within the same day that you ask it. I would rate the whole experience from Dr. Nguyen, the staff, the hospital so much better than expected, working in the medical fields for several years I can say I was so pleased with every experience I have have from November 20th to today. And I am glad I made the decission I made and the medical team I made it with.<object width=\"585\" height=\"360\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.obesityhelp.com/shared/flash/WeightHistoryChart/WeightHistoryChart.swf?username=ladoux01\"><param name=\"quality\" value=\"high\"><embed src=\"http://www.obesityhelp.com/shared/flash/WeightHistoryChart/WeightHistoryChart.swf?username=ladoux01\" quality=\"high\" width=\"585\" height=\"360\"></embed></object>

Well, I did some research, I was confident with the UCI staff. I told Dr. Ninh, don't want any mistakes, he reassured me that he had plenty of exp. and I felt ok. It has been almost one year, since my lapband. I have not had any complications. My weight loss has been slow, my band adjustments have been conservative, but that is the only way to go. I have put on alot of weight over many years, it is ok to take time to remove it. It is about learning new behaviors, and I have learned alot about my bad behaviors, regarding eating. I have lost 30 lbs. this last year, mostly in the last 6-8 months. Dr. Ninh has a slow approach, which helps reduce risks. My decision for this type of surgery was based on the the reality that I was not LOSING weight, only gaining. So every day is a positive approach to my future and my new concept of health and excerise. I love the staff at UCI, Sharon So, what a great laugh and so cute. Pam, who helps you immediately, and so professional. Dr. Kevin \"Neven\" is geat guy and has wonderful patient skill and he has so much knowledge about the band and weight contol. I would HIGHLY recommend the team to anyone considering lap band. The \"YOU\" care is there!!

Dr. Ninh Nguyen, Dr. Longoria and their team, both doctors, as well as administrative and other staff are all very compassionate, understanding, willing to take the time to listen, answer any and all questions, address all concerns, and willing to deal with any complications, whether they are medical or psychological in regards to the actual surgery. rnrnPost-op consisted of what was supposed to be two days in University of California, Irvine Medical Center in Orange, California, but since I presented a fever of 102.9, I had to receive beyond the normal course of IV and PO (by mouth) antibiotics to steer off possible infection causing the high temperature. The nursing staff were also placing ice packs around my body to bring down my body temperature. I finally went home five days post-op.

AMAZING!!!! From Ninh's joking personality to his serious side he is very personable, knowledgeable and warm felt. Most surgeons do not know each patient by name but Ninh and his staff all seem to know the names of all their patients. Or maybe I am just so off color they couldnt forget me. (Doubt it) I have recommended him to every one of my friends who struggles with Weight Loss. He gets 2 thumbs up in my book and a huge thank you for helping me get my life back.

Although this is a trauma hospital and you have to wait for a bed... you are well medicated and dont even know you are waiting for a room.

I felt very well taken care of, especially by Drs. Nguyen, Reeves and Smith who all helped take care of me when I was readmitted for gall bladder problems that had been undiagiosned by my primary doctor.