University of California, Irvine Healthcare Hospital

I was relased to soon form my surgery. I was in alot of pain and was unable to care for myself. If not for a good friend and his wife I think I would be in a bit of trouble. I was at UCi for three days and had to say with my friend for another three days before I was able to go home.

But I'm ok and now on the raod of better health.

First impression was excellent and never changed. Dr. Nguyen obviously cares for his patients. Dr. Nguyen's level of confidence left me with no concerns whatsoever that I was making the right decision.rnThe surgery went along without a problem of any kind, minimal pain, no meds needed. UCI nursing staff was the best of any hospital I have ever been in. (I've had 13 other surgeries.)rnrnOverall experience A++++rnrnSurgery done 12/26/2007

only bad comment would be after surgery and waiting for private room for a long time.

Very competent and confident. Has all the attributes of a high level, highly skilled surgeon, which is what I'm looking for.

The nurses were horrible and uncaring. The surgeon I had was awful and If another surgeon and the team of Drs wouldnt have stepped in to help me I truly feel i would have died. Its finally 8 1/2 months later and its been a horrible 8 months. There was a particular nurse i had on 2 separate floors named Guadalupe, she was horrible and mean and treated me horribly. Most of the nurses cannot draw blood or put in an IV so I had to get poked numerous times to then just have someone from the lab come and do it. Any other hopsital or lab they draw it with no problem for I have good veins. The way I was treated there was awful and that alone would make me never have the surgery . Please noone go there or to DR.NIAM who is now in Long beach, california. If you do please be careful and always have a friend or loved one with you for support.

The staff was great the nurses I had on the last day I was there were teriffic. Ikeia, Olu, and Riza made me feel right at home.

My first impression of Dr. Nguyen was that he was a little straight laced, didn't really laugh at any of my jokes, but he definately seemed to be well seasoned and in the know about the surgery as well as the typical results from his patients.rnrnThe office staff is great, Sharon the nurse is wonderful. Sharon is the one who remembers your name every time she sees you. Sharon and another girl in the office even brought me beautiful flowers while I was in the hospital. The Dr. is a little more mechanical and just goes over the nitty gritty but doesn't get too personal.rnrnThe thing I liked least about Dr. Nguyen was that he was very straight forward in regards to the surgery but like I said he doesn't get too involved personally with his patients, at least not myself. The person who bothered me the most was one of his other interns who was cocky and told me that I could just watch what I eat or exercise, Ya like I've never tried that before. rnrnI felt a little rushed into the surgery at first, but just relax and take things at your own pace, I really, really liked the outcome so far and wouldn't change my mind about having the surgery again at all!rnrnThe staff REALLY emphasizes aftercare and gives you access to tools such as this website and also urges you to go to support meetings where others who have had surgery meet once a month and discuss their tips and set backs with some day to day stuff such as exercise and nutrition, which is definately helpful. They are always available to talk to if you have any questions, their great about answering any question you might have. The aftercare program is really great.rnrnThe risks of surgery were told to me on my consultation day and everytime I went to the Dr's after that Dr. Nguyen always makes you tell him the risks even on the day of surgery, which at first was a little annoying and made me feel like I was in school again, but then you realize why he does this. Just to make sure that you are fully aware of any possible complication no matter how small it is.rnrnI would rate Dr. Nguyen and his staff an A they were great and I would definately chose them again if given the option!rnrnOverall I would prefer surgical competence over bedside manner if I had to pick, but a Dr. with great surgical competence and good bedmanner is even better.

I have trust in this hospital that I will get the best care. I have received excellant care from Dr. Nguyen and all his staff. My hospital stay was smooth and pleasant.

Chief of Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, UCI

UCI is a great hospital for the world renown doctors and the surgical floor I was on in 2007 was 100% better than the ortho floor I was on last year.

Hopefully everyone will get to be in the surgical floor section, because those nurses really do care about you, and were very kind and considerate....it was definitely a whole different experience than last year.