Henry Horrilleno Bariatric Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S.

He was very helpful and knowledgable about the procedure and immediately set me at ease. His office staff was very helpful since I moved from one surgeon to him. They got everything taken care of in a quick and effecient manner. They have been very helpful getting issues resolved with my insurance company. I would recommend him to any other person looking into having a lap-band done.

I first met the staff by telephone. They were very helpful and friendly. I met Dr. Horrilleno at my consultation for surgery. He was very friendly and took the time to explain the procedure that he wanted to perform. He was very frank and straightforward about the procedure and my responsibilities. I would recommend Dr. Horrilleno with no reservations.

My first impression was that he was quiet, professional and very skilled in this type of surgery. He patiently answered all my questions. His office staff were especially wonderful. Debra, his insurance lady, comforted me as I began crying in fear of the dying during the surgery. Leo, his nurse, has been a welcome source of information when I had questions. Both have been cheerleaders all the way. How could I be down with both of them cheering me on? Dr. Horrilleno has rules that might differ from other surgeons' rules, but he emphasizes that you follow his rules if you want success. He has a once-a-month support meeting. Debra and Leo also attend this support group meeting and continue to be our staunchest supporters and cheerleaders. Dr. Horrilleno was especially careful not to let me leave the hospital too soon. His surgical competence is not to be questioned. I was one of his largest patients and I came through the surgery with flying colors. He continues to be very caring about all his patients. I would highly recommend him for RNY surgery. I have total confidence in him.

3/21/03 In my opion, Dr. H and his staff are very caring, and are delighted to help you in any way they can and want to help you become healthy.

Dr. H and his staff - Leo and Deb. have been wonderful. They were warm from the beginning and they are available at all hours of the day. I was very pleased with Dr. H. during the orientation. He provided ample information/understanding relating to the various surgerical options, stressing the fact the small pouch is a TOOL and not a diet, and the importance of attending the monthly support groups. They provided a packet which covered why our bodies need protein, a step by step food consumption guide, explaination of why our bodies need iron, calcium, multi-vitamins and B-12. I continue to refer back to this packet for additional information and clarity. During my one on one meeting, Dr. H. was able to become familiar with my situation and provided additional comfort on how the RNY was going to add more fun, excitement and joy to my life. After the surgery, Dr. H. continued to show his support with multiple checkins and ensuring all questions/concerns were answered. My surgery lasted 2 1/2 hours and everything has been better than expected. Thanks Dr. H.

I had an appt on 02/20/03, it was actually more of a seminar, but he did a slide show and was very imformative. I had went to another seminar in Plano and all they really told you was what surgeries he did and not much about what the risks and aftercare. Debra his office manager was wondrful and had the surgery herself and looked wonderful. I have now turned in my paper work and awaiting approval. I guess the concern is why can you get in to see him so much faster than some other the docs and the fact he has lost 2 patients one from pneumonia and one from a blood clot, but he was very open about that, my main personal worry is about a leak post-op. Of coarse being a nurse, you know what can go wrong with any surgery.Please anyone who has had surgery with him, please email me [email protected]

Dr. H is a small man with a quite way about him. I researched him and felt confident after out first meeting he was very soft spoken yet always willing to answer any questions.

He rubbed my arm for comfort and went over every detail carefully and made sure I understood before we moved on to another topic.

He cam by everyday while I was in the hospital and always made myself and family comfortable he always emphasized his availability.

His office is small, but Nurse Leo and Deborah are always available for questions. My post op visit 8 days after the fact Dr. H spent a great deal of time with me and also stayed and answered all of my mothers questions which meant a lot to me. He told me how I made his day by giving him afirmation of how much I appreciated the tool he had given me.

I believe you need a surgeon with an equal amout of surgical competence as well as bedside manner.

I rate him as excellent and I am so glad I found him.

I attended Dr. Horrilleno's seminar on June 30th. I have submitted all of the documents to his staff today (7/2/01), now we'll wait and see what my insurance company says. He seems like a well informed doctor about WLS. His staff is very nice. I personally have not met Dr. H, but look forward to once the insurance company responds.

Debra has been great! The letter was sent on 7/13 to the insurance company. Since Great West One Health Plan also requires a Psych evaluation, that was faxed off on 7/24. I was approved on 7/25. Thank you Debra and the people at Great West One Health Plan!

Now I have to get the Ultrasound on my gallbladder, lab work, and a Pre-Surgery Work up done by a Cardiologist before the date is scheduled. I am hoping to get this done within the next week.

8/3/01- The doctor has received all of my test results and I should be getting a call to schedule my consultation sometime in August. And then the surgery will be scheduled. Debra said it will be in the early part of September most likely...August is pretty much booked. At least I'm getting closer! I can't stress how helpful Deborah is!

8/6/01- My first consultation w/ Dr. Horrilleno is 8/24. Debra said that when I come in that day then she will schedule the surgery....they are currently scheduling surgeries the 1st week of September.

8/27/01- I had my consultation w/ Dr. H on the 24th. He is a very nice guy and seems to know his stuff. My surgery date is scheduled for 9/12....now I'm getting just a tab bit nervous but excited.

11/4/02- Down -127 pounds. I weigh 138 pounds. I haven't seen Dr. H since 2 months after surgery due to insurance issues but I've been having my own doctor do my labs every 6 months.

I did a lot of leg work attending seminars and consulting with other surgeons before choosing Dr. Horrilleno. I liked him because he was honest, humble and approachable. He was open and up front about surgical risks. He allowed for Q & A from potential patients. He performed my surgery on May 26, 2002.
I had a large varicosity in my leg prior to surgery and knew it increased my risk of bloodclots somewhat. I was given heparin prior to surgery and wore the pumps on my feet as preventative measures. Even so, a few weeks after my surgery, I developed blood clots in my leg and Dr. Horrilleno's associate, Dr. Randall Kirby (a vascular surgeon), took over my care. I ended up being hospitalized 3 additional times (and had 2 other surgeries). Dr. Horrilleno would see that I was back in the hospital and stop by my room just to check on me. It meant a lot to me that he would take the time out of his busy day to do that. I think that speaks volumes about the kind of doctor he is.
You ask which is better, surgical competence or bedside manner? I say BOTH are important. I rejected one possible surgeon even though he had an excellent surgical record because I didn't trust his bedside manner. I am so glad I trusted my instincts on that. Dr. Horrilleno has excellent surgical skills and my complications were not because of him.
As for the staff. The nurses, Leo and Marge are absolutely the best. The process of getting approval has it's ups and downs and I encountered a few while getting everything together. I have to give the office credit though because if you communicate with them they try hard to help. As for my follow-up appts. His staff would always work with me so that I could see both doctors (or nurses)in one visit instead of having to make 2 trips (a 2 hour commute).
The thing I liked least was a pamphlet given out titled "Advancing your diet after surgery". It has some serious flaws and it was not written by a medical person. It states that "anemia is literally no blood" which is not at all true. It is full of other errors and not easy to follow. I had serious concerns about this representation from his office. I am glad that I didn't let this stop me from using Dr. Horrilleno but I do think this pamphlet needs some professional editing.
Overall, I would rate Dr. Horrilleno a 9.5 and I am very grateful that I have my life back (I lost 85 lbs in the 5 mos. since surgery). I would do it again in a heartbeat!

<FONT COLOR=#8A2BE2>October 18th, 2002... I thought a lot about the past year & my journey while I was on my cruise (Oct 12th-17th, 2002). I thanked the Good Lord each day for Dr *H* and his skills for helping me to live a longer, healthier, happier life (and being able to dive again while I was in the Carribean).

Dr *H* truly cares for his patients. He is a quiet man, but his heart is with all of us - in his prayers & in his care & attention of each person. The surgery is simply a *tool* for us-- if we do not follow the guidelines set up from the VERY start - we set ourselves up for failure(this INCLUDES the breathing exercises & diet we are expected to follow prior to surgery). WE are responsible for our success once we leave the hospital.

I could NEVER ask for a better surgeon or a more caring friend than I have found in Dr Horrilleno.

THANK YOU Dr *H* !!!!</font>

<FONT COLOR=#FFA07A>March 11, 2002 - My surgery was on March 5th - home on March 8th. Dr *H* completed my surgery (including an umbilical hernia repair) in, what he told my family, *record time*:)-just under 2 hours. Although he is resuming Lap on the 17th of the month, I opted to keep my date with him for Open. My PCP felt, as I did, that this was a safe method & perhaps best for me. Dr *H* didn't rush me to leave the hospital - he ASKED me if I was ready to go. Now that I am through the surgery & home safely, I can say with complete confidence that Dr Horrilleno is a TOP NOTCH surgeon. HIGHLY recommended.</font>

<FONT COLOR=#8A2BE2>Jan 11th, 2002 - all pre-op testing complete (I GUESS I am sane! LOL - passed the psych eval:) Appt with Dr. H Feb 18th to schedule surgery date. Looks like end of Feb - 1st of March:)</font>

<FONT COLOR=#FFA07A>Dec 3, 2001...The seminar with Dr. Horrilleno on Dec 1 was VERY informative. He has a gr8 sense of humor while being very *matter of fact* in his answers. Someone asked what kind of surgeon he was b4 bariatric - he quipped " a GOOD one!!" laffin.............

I am very pleased that he requires all of the testing & psych evals b4 surgery (I could prolly WRITE that psych eval - but that's okay HAHAH).

Looking forward to my visit with him that will determine whether we will do Lap or Open. (all my appts. for testing are this week- Dec 10 & 12th).

More info on the good *Doctor* as soon as I meet with him:)</b></font>