Fresno Heart and Surgical Hospital Organization

06/01/01 Dr. Boone is with Valley Surgical Specialists in Fresno, CA. My first impression was very positive. The office staff has been very friendly and efficient. After my first phone call requesting a consultation I was immediately scheduled and received all of the neccesary paperwork in the mail within a week, along with an informational brochure on the procedure. During my consultation, I watched a video which went into great detail about the procedure, risks and benefits of the Lap RNY surgery. I then met Dr. Boone. He was very friendly, but seemed a little reserved. He answered all of my questions as well as those of my husband. Good experience. However, it took approximately 15 - 20 work days to submit my paperwork to my insurance company, but once sent, it was 15 pages of very thorough information. My insurance company approved me within days. If you are interested in Valley Surgical go to their web page at www.valleysurgical.com.

These are just my personal impressions of my own personal experience and I am not making any statements about what other people may experience.

I first saw Doctor Boone at the seminar. He was very knowledgeable about this subject and used humor during the "lecture" he also gave ALL the statistics good and bad of the surgery not just the ones he thought we'd want to hear. My first real meeting with him was the consultation. He was cordial and seemed to understand my concerns. I felt as if he understood my reasons for wanting or NEEDING surgery even if he couldn't really empathize with my plight, as I don't think he's ever had a weight problem. The office staff were friendly and helpful. We arrived for the appointment 15 minutes early to fill out forms, but the actual appointment time was 11:15, the actual time I got in was 11:40 for the consult. Once in the consultation He shared about the surgery and answered all my husbands and my questions. He spoke of after care and said "you'll get tired of seeing our faces 4 or 5 times a day". I assured him I wouldn't and hoped I would indeed see him often the day of surgery. Upon leaving the office both my husband and I felt I would be in skilled hands for my surgery and aggreed I would proceed.

My Dr held a seminar that I was required to attend before the initial consultation. The seminar was informative.

I have only had the initial consultation with Dr Higa but I left his office without the feeling I get so often with other doctors that because of my weight it is okay to insult or be condescending to me.

Dr Higa was interested in my history and family, concerned about my health and vrey reassuring about the benefit to me in having the surgery.

Additionally he reassured me concerning the fact that 2 years ago I attempted to have the surgery but the procedure was aborted when the anaesthesiologist was unable to intubate me. His confidence that this would not be a problem went a long way to calm my fears.

I am about 3 weeks away from having the surgery and seem to be fluctuating between excited and scared.

2-10-01 My consult with Dr. Boone is a little
more than a month away. I have been patiently
waiting for this day to come. I have only read
good things about him and the staff at Valley
Surgical. I have my paperwork filled out
and I can hardly wait for the 3 1/2 hour drive.
I'll let ya all know what I think after the consult.

3-21-01 I finally had my consult with Dr. Keith Boone.
He genuinely seems like a Dr. who cares and wants to get
his patients as healthy as possible with this surgery.
He talked with my husband and myself for about 45 minutes,
and he definitely made it clear of possible risks and complications.
Overall, I really liked him and his staff seems very helpful
also. My paperwork is being submitted so now I am just
waiting for insurance approval. The best part of the whole exam was
the nurse giving me a gown that was huge- it was great- no hiney
sticking out the back. I'll let ya all know whats happening when I
know more.

4-19-01 Valley Surgical called to give me my pre-op appt. and surgery
date. I am so excited, that it will finally be my turn to cross over.
My lap RNY will be May 21, 2001- WhaaHoo

5-23-01 Home from the hospital...Thank you Dr. Boone...this man really
knows how to make you feel totally at ease with such a life changing procedure.
The staff at the Fresno Surgery Center was awesome also. They all gave me the gift,
now its up to ME to make it work.

He is a 39 year old man. He is soft spoken and friendly. I have met him one time. I will see him for my pre op in five days. He was informative but I felt I had most of the answers I wanted from all the research I have done. I felt like he wanted to answer as many questions as I had. He did not rush me in any way.

Dr. Boone made me feel comfortable,anwsered all my questions. explained risks and what I could expect after surgery.His office staff were at times hard to get a hold of.They told me they had did things that they had not,I felt they were giving me the run around but once I had my date all is forgiven. Dr.Boone emphasize the importance of aftercare and they have a structured program.
Dr.Boone really put me at ease I felt safe putting my self in his hands. Before going into surgery I was relaxed and confindent with my decision and my Dr. which makes a the difference in the world.

Dr. Boone of Valley Surgical Specialists is absolutly a God send. I live in San Diego and grew up in the valley and always assumed that SD was the best place to go. However, I would recommend him over any on the programs in San Diego in a heart beat. The office staff is great and don't feel like I was run through a mill or lost in the process.
He is kind, quiet and very informative. In my pre-op he told me what exactly to expect after I awakened, which really calmed me. He answered any and all of my strange questions.
He was wonderful in the hospital, and even started to relax and show his humorous side.

Dr.Higa is a very nice doctor. He seems to be very thorough with his exam. I really don't have more to say but that. I go today for my preop.I should beable to tell more later.
His office staff is helpful but I'm still not sure about them the ones in the office reception area were not friendly.

My first impression of Dr. Higa was that he was young and very nice. He conducted the consult in about 45 minutes. Answered all of my questions. He seemed to be concerned that I knew what would happen before, during and after.

Dr. Higa went over the risks of the surgery in terms that the laymen would understand. I would truly recomend him. I drove four hours to see him because another one of his patients was totally satified.

I was very impressed with his professional yet relaxed manner. He has a great sense of humor and makes you feel important. He also takes every question you have or comment seriously and is interested in how you are doing in all matters. He truely cares about his patients personal lives and is dedicated in helping us with our journey to improving the quality of life. He makes himself available in many ways and is big on pt education and awareness. His office staff and associates are top quality and its apparent high qualifications are required to be a part of the group. There is a need to follow up with the office staff regarding progress of approval and surgery dates on your part not due to incompetence but due to high volume. Aftercare is stressed as almost more important than pre care. They really want you to suceed and be on top of any complications no matter how small. They see you 6 days post op, 3 weeks, 2-3 months,through the first year and then yearly on a continual basis. Any time there are problems, they want to see you right away They go over all the risks in full detail and encourage all the questions you could come up with. You are not hurried through a visit. Dr. Higa and his associates Dr. Boone and Dr. Ho are highly rated. Pts come from all over the nation from the east coast and even Hawaii. Physicians come from all over to observe the high advanced specialty laproscopic skills they have. Dr. Higa has a very impressive list of qualifications and also instructs in Medical Teaching facilities. I can't think of one thing negative of my whole experience. I would go no other place than Fresno Valley Surgical Specialists.