surgery in Fresno?

Hi everyone.. although I am not really 'new' to the board, I don't make many posts. I love to read your posts though! I learn so much every time I log on.
 
I was planning to have my surgery with Dr.Vierra, and I met all his requirements and had a date (this week) with him for surgery when we realized that my insurance doesn't cover Dr.Vierra. BUMMER! He has referred me to Dr.Higa in Fresno and so I am off to a consult with him on 02/24. I would like to talk/message with someone who has had their surgery with Dr.Higa. I am wondering if he is going to require tests above and beyond what Dr. Vierra required. How long is his surgery wait-list? Can someone give me some information about Dr.Higa, please?

Thanks so much!

Same thing happened to me.  Wish Dr Vierra's office would tell you up front that you have to go elsewhere and do different tests.  Most of Dr Vierra's tests transferred but Dr Higa requires others that don't make a lot of sense like pap smear and mamogram.  Plus his office staff is rather lame, losing paperwork and not following up so you have to stay on them.  So it took a long time one transferred there but the surgery went fine with some minor bleeding and a suture opening up after.  The main problem with Fresno is the commuting, four trips before I was released back to Dr Vierra.  Worth it though.  My RNY was in October and I've lost 50 pounds.

You'll be OK with Dr Higa.  Don't worry.
Carmel Valley Linda

Ara Keshishian, MD, FACS, Is a top notch surgeon, and they perform there surgey @ Delano Regional Med Center, which is not to far, from fresno. They take all kinds of insurance, They have there own financing department, and they have a quick staff, *****turns calls right away.

Check them out

Lucky you!  I adore Dr. Higa.  He's one of those doctors you love or hate.  When I was researching him a lot of people said he was very "short" with them and in a way, he is.  But you have to know, he's got A LOT of patients to see in a day.  He is very to the point but he always takes the time to answer every question I have and is genuinely concerned about my care.  I've never had any problem with his staff or problems with paperwork etc.  They've always been friendly and I was always kept up to date on progress.

To be honest, you'll probably only actually see him once before surgery and once (maybe twice) afterwards.  His staff will handle most of the appointments.  He did come to see me right before surgery and made me feel very at ease.  He also came in to see me the next morning.  You always hear people have this complication or that complication but I haven't had a single complication, nor any pain whatsoever.  Even immediately after surgery.  I honestly believe that is due to having Higa as my surgeon.  He is outstanding.  And by the way, Fresno Heart Hospital is also great.  Not only the facility but the staff was so nice and helpful.  My husband was so impressed with Higa that he is now starting his own WLS journey and will only trust Higa do it.  His consult is coming up in a few weeks.

By the way, the only requirements I had to fulfill was his seminar, which you can watch on DVD in office if you live too far to attend, a psych evaluation, a nutritionist consult and unfortunately an up to date papsmear.  It was all worth it.  I'm 30lbs down less than a month out and feeling great!

Oh and the wait is a little long but not painfully long.  My consult was on 11/11/08 and my surgery was on 01/17/09 but a lot of that wait time was because we had all three major holidays in there, Thanksgiving, Chrismas and New Years.

I wish you tons of luck and hope you'll keep me up to date on your journey!  ;)