First post- just wanted to see if there was anyone out there from the Bay Area getting the surgery...researching surgeons. Met with Dr. Crystine Lee today...anyone heard of her?

please talk as much as you like...I really do not have many people to talk to about this. What do you mean down to a 24? Please do let me know about the hair loss when u find out. Wow no leaks in 2 years- do you know how many that is out of? how many total he has done over his career?

Jossart uses a 32 standard bougie, he hasnt had 1 leak in over 2 years because of a new technique he developed and hair loss is normal after about 6 months but is only temporary. I'm also scared of that because i don't have much to begin with :sad_smile: I was told by a fellow sleever that i work with to take biotene? not sure exactly what that is, i'm assuming a supplement. I havent been able to touch basis with her but as soon as i do, i'll shoot you a message as to what she recommends. She has lost over 200 lbs. I also have a close to 40 BMI and hope to be down to a 24 at about 6 months pre-op (according to Dr. Jossart) :blabla: sorry, i talk to much - but i'm soo excited :dance:

I believe he does about 200-250 per month. It's pretty good. He has a really healthy outlook on how to handle his patients and he wants you to live an as normal life as possible. He specifically said he didnt want us living on shakes. I'll friend you and then send you an update on the hair loss stuff as i will also have to start taking that soon. She said if she had known about it, she wouldve started taking it before surgery. Thanks for putting up with my blabbing. :gossip: Oh, and 24 BMI is what I meant. That is when I will be at my ideal BMI.:cheer2:

Got it. Glad to have you as my 1st friend on here I have a feeling that I will be on a lot...seem to be obsessing on this since my 1st consults. got it on the 24 BMI, at first I thought you meant size 24 and was confused. very excited you have a date and hope to be there soon. was just reading about the nausea, I absolutley panic about throwing up. I think I need to be careful about what I read and don't so I don't make myself completely anxious.

I believe he does about 200-250 per month. It's pretty good. He has a really healthy outlook on how to handle his patients and he wants you to live an as normal life as possible. He specifically said he didnt want us living on shakes. I'll friend you and then send you an update on the hair loss stuff as i will also have to start taking that soon. She said if she had known about it, she wouldve started taking it before surgery. Thanks for putting up with my blabbing. :gossip: Oh, and 24 BMI is what I meant. That is when I will be at my ideal BMI.:cheer2:

I've also heard a lot of good things about Dr. Jossart. I ended up going with Dr. Rabkin because he could get me in sooner and because his fees were about $3000-$4000 less than Jossart (i'm self pay). I would just stay away from Dr. Cirangle. Like I said, I've heard nothing but bad things about him.

I don't think that you can go wrong with either the LapSF guys or PacLap - both have extensive experience in bariatrics. I went with Dr. Rabkin (paclap) mostly because my wife had her DS with them and I've been going to their support meetings for the past eight years, so the comfort and trust levels had already been established. Another thing that you should do is look at their pre/post op procedures as that can vary widely between different practices. I believe that LapSF is one of the groups that has you go thru a more extensive pre and post op liquid diet while Paclap doesn't have any particular preop diet and starts you on mush/puree in the hospital moving to more solid things as tolerated. Both have their reasons for their programs and it's hard to argue with the success of either practice, but it's something to consider (one week of Soups was more than enough for me - haven't had any since) beyond the basic qualifications of the surgeon. It is certainly worth going to support meetings for both and get a feel for how they work and get a feel for which procedure they may recommend for you - they may recommend a different procedure for your circumstance and that should be considered before making a final decision.

Also, if you have any hint of liver problems, Dr. Rabkin is the one to see as he is also a liver specialist in his non-bariatric life. On the other hand, if you think that you may have a problem giving up drinking alcohol for the 12-18 months of major weight loss, then the LapSF guys are probably more tolerant of that than Dr. Rabkin, for the same reason.

thanks... have you had your surgery yet?

I have my surgery date for 9-22-11. The days are passing like a child waitting for Christmas. lol

Same here!!! 5 weeks from tomorrow!!!

Hi bayarea12,

I would like to suggest my surgeon, Dr. John Feng @ Palo Alto Medical Foundation. I am currently in the final stages of the Pre-op stuff and hope to have a surgery date soon. I also have Blue Shield PPO and have been told they are quick with approving qualified patients for bariatric surgery. The program with Dr. Feng is very informative and his staff is very helpful. Also they gave me all the surgery, nutritionist & therapist codes so I could check with my insurance to make sure it was all covered.

Feel free to hit me up with any questions about the program or Dr. Feng.

Ok, i just checked back on this string, and now I'm panicked! I met dr cirangle a couple weeks ago and thought he was nice, and very knowledgable...but now I'm freaked by the comments on here! Why is he so terrible? Has anyone had a bad expience with him personally? Maybe illl add another post...

Well, are you cash paying or insurance? Dr cirangle is definitely one of the best! He and dr jossart are the dr.s that actually pioneered the sleeve. They have a "technique" that they use. I just don't like the "program fee" that his office charges. $5750 for patients with insurance.

I'm still working out the insurance angle...but I can self-pay if need be. The hidden fees are lame, but at least that doesn't speak to his surgical abilities I've gone on yelp and health grades.com and it seems there are a couple of bad experiences, but for the most part, people are happy. About his sometimes lackluster bedside manner, One woman put it well by saying "I'm not going to a surgeon to hold my hand, I go to him to save my life" ---well said I think.

I agree. I would definitely prefer an experienced surgeon over being nice. The awesome thing about Dr. Jossart is that you get both The expertise, the great bedside manner and the competent understanding and hard working staff he has. Up until a few months ago, Dr. Jossart and Cirangle were in the same practice. Both told me that they use the same proven technique. They both have all their bases covered with any side effects. I've already got all my prescriptions for anything that "might" happen. A lot of the things that I've read about on this site are things that my doctor has already considered and taken precautions to avoid... its great having one of the best Dr.s in the world and feeling well taken care of. I'm sure you'll have a great experience with Dr. Cirangle and if you have the cash to pay for the "program fee", well thats even better!! I just feel very blessed that we are able to get this surgery done since there are so many people out there can't because they don't have the insurance or the money to be able to My heart goes out to them.

Agreed. I am very grateful to be in a place where this is an option for me. I'm sure dr Cirangle will be great...and who knows, maybe i'll benefit from a "no-nonsense" approach good luck with dr jossart, I've heard great things about him too!

Thanks!! Keep us updated on when you're surgery is scheduled!!

Thanks!! Keep us updated on when you're surgery is scheduled!!