Connie Duren

Hi everyone. I live in the valley and am looking for a surgeon. I have done some research and there are only 4 listed on line. Dr. Higa/Boone, Dr. Juarez and Fr. Felix. I had originally went to Dr. Boone for the Roux N Y but long story short my insurance refused to pay at the last minute so I started looking for a cash alternative=lap band. Dr. Boone is a very as a matter of a fact guy. When I asked him in our consulation ($300 for 20 minutes of his time) about the lap band because I was considering it also he ignored me and said the RNY is what I needed. He made me feel stupid for asking and like I was bothering him. I was not impressed! I spoke to a lot of people who have had surgery from their offince and they all said he wasn't the best at bedside manners! They are the largest in the valley and have the most surgery but I feel like because they are so big, I have become very small. I went to Dr. Juarez on Tuesday for his seminar and loved him and his office staff. He held the seminar in the office and about ten people were there. He made us the focus, not getting through the slide show. He would stop and answer questions and even asked if someone looked puzzled what they were thinking or wondering about. Now that was very impressive. He had a good package and cost 11,000. I am going to Dr. Felix next tuesday to his seminar to check him out. He is 15,000 and I do not know what the package includes yet. If anyone is doing or has done the same please let me know. I am trying to decide on a surgeon and all imput is appreciated!:tongue: Thanks.

Congrats! I am so excited for you. Dr. Higa is awesome. How are you doing post op?

Christy, I have decided to go to San Francisco. Dr. Jossart will be doing my surgery May 21st. Dr Felix is wonderful though. You will love him and his staff when you meet them. I feel because he is still new that he and his staff will be excellent in their care and follow up! Good luck in your search. :leaving:

Has anyone gone to Dr. Jossart in San Francisco? He is so reasonable, yet I worry about the three hour drive..

Tweety, I went for my consult with Dr. Jossart Tuesday and scheduled my surgery for May 21st at 2pm! I am having the VG- Vertical Gasterectomy, or it is also called the gastric sleeve. Dr. Jossart spent a lot of time explaining to me how this is better for me than the band, especially since I am a Cash Pay patient and the bands are more expensive in the long run and can have potientally more problems and replacement surgeries, er visits..........I am so excited. I have some sample packets of protien mixes and I like both the cho and straw NECTAR brands so far. I will be out shopping this week since I only have two weeks to get everything. I would sure appreciate any and all imput! Can't wait to hear from you,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Connie

Tweety, I got in touch with the office and have an appointment TODAY at noon. Wow, so quick. I have all the labs and evals ready so I should get my date today.............Excited and Nervous. I am grateful that you can share you experiences with me. I felt very alone. The cost for 5 years is 14,000 now (without insurance) did you have a lot of lab follow ups? How about supplements, do you get them from him or online? Any info would be great. Hey, you have not posted your current weitght???????? Is all well? I noticed also that you were down 50 lbs in 3 months! Wow, I can only dream of that. I need to loose a 100 or mabey more, I will find out today... Talk to you soon. Thanks for mailing me back. Connie

Velvet, I am going next week for my consult with Dr. Jossart in San Fran. I have heard good things and my friend went to him as well. The drive is what concerned me. 3 hours one way. I have talked with someone who has only had 8 fills is two years from him. That was encouraging. I am a cash pay so all the info I get is important to making my decision. He has a great price. Good luck to you and your decision. Mail me back if you want to chat. I understand the need for support and advice! Connie

I finally figured out how to read your response. I am not to computer savvy.. I made my first trip to San Fran this weekend to see it the drive was reasonable. It was fine. Thank you so much for your response. I see that you were adjusted 5-6 times in the first year. Would you have done more if you did not have to travel? 8 times in two years is awseome. I figured that many in the first 6 months or year. I have e mailed and phoned in a request for the cost/coverage breakdown from their office and to date not recieved anything. Did you pay cash? If you don't mind what was the cost and coverage. I am so afraid of the hidden costs......they can crush you. I want to finance enough for everything possible if you know what I mean. Again thank you for responding. It means so much to talk with someone who has had the same surgeon. Oh, does Dr. Jossart do the fills flouroscpoic? Mail me when you can. Connie

Who is your Doctor?

5 Hours away? Where are you from? I am from Madera, Ca (Fresno) and it takes 3 hours one way. How was your experience? Love to hear your story...........Connie

I live in Madera Ranchos and am looking into Dr. Felix. I will go to his seminar on Tuesday. I just recently went to Dr. Juarez in Fresno and he seems wonderful and is 3,000 cheaper than Felix, so we'll see. I am walking with a buddy M-Thr at 6am now but am always ready to walk more. Let me know the details and mabey it will work out for us to walk. By the way, congrats on the big step......

I am looking to get the lap band and went to Dr. Juarez for a seminar. He is very reasonable and very attentive! He has only done 50 bands (4 yr exp)and 300 RNY's. Is he to new at this? Have you had him as your surgeon? Please respond.

Dr. Juarez in Fresno is 11.000 with 6 months of free fills and 75.00 thereafter. Dr. Felix in Fresno is 15.000.