Out of Area and Out of State New Patient Instructions:
How to schedule a surgical phone consult with Dr. Cook
(These instructions are for out of area and out of state new patients only. If you are a patient who lives in the greater San Francisco Bay Area, please use the Local New Patient Instructions.)
This section outlines the steps needed for out of area patients traveling to Los Gatos, California to receive treatment from Dr. Cook. If you are interested in exploring this possibility further, follow the steps outlined below.
At Vital Health Institute, we understand that traveling a long distance to have surgery with a doctor that you have not previously met can be difficult, even if it is the best decision. Some women are fortunate to have the support of their local physician and family, while others may not have that support, or may even encounter resistance. We welcome your questions, because we want you to understand our medical practice and what we have to offer. We don't pretend to offer a quick fix that will immediately remedy all of your problems. Instead, we are dedicated to doing everything possible to help you. We have a proven track record of dealing with the types of medical problems you are facing.
We want to help you make a decision that is right for you. To get started, please follow the steps listed below. Also, please provide a copy of your previous medical records, especially a copy of all previous operative reports, including blood work or lab tests done in the last six months and (if available) color copies of any pictures taken during the procedures. In this way we can begin the process needed to put you back on the path to health.
Steps to Arrange Surgery with Dr. Cook at Vital Health Institute
- Contact Vital Health Institute either by
- Internet: Complete and submit the Request a Surgical Consult Form, and Michelle, Dr. Cook's Patient Coordinator, will call you within 48 hours (in the unlikely event you do not hear from her, the form may not have gone through; in this event, please call her).
- Phone: Call Michelle at 408-358-2511 or 888-256-7705.
- Speak with Michelle
- Michelle will answer any questions you have about the practice, and will walk you through the steps needed to set up an initial phone appointment with Dr. Cook.
- Complete and return the New Patient Questionnaire and Registration Page. You can get these forms in the Vital Health Institute New Patient Packet in one of three ways:
- Our website at VHI New Patient Packet
- Michelle will email them to you
- Michelle will mail them to your address
- Have your doctor send us a copy of your previous medical records, especially your previous operative reports, and color copies of any photos from any surgeries performed. Government regulations require they have a completed and signed Medical Release Form to send us your medical records. Download the Medical Release Form
, fill it out, sign it and send it. Your doctors will send a copy of your medical records directly to us. Once your records are received,
- Michelle will contact you to schedule a date and time for you to call the office and speak directly with Dr. Cook about your case.
- Speak with Dr. Cook. This helps Dr. Cook understand your particular medical situation, and helps you to understand what Dr. Cook and Vital Health Institute can offer you in the way of treatment options.
- Speak with Jessica, Dr. Cook's Surgery Scheduler. If, after talking with Dr. Cook, you are interested in possibly coming out for surgery, he will arrange for you to speak with Jessica, our Surgery Scheduler. She will provide you with information about the logistics of having surgery with Dr. Cook, including potential surgery dates, your insurance coverage, hospitals, hotels, length of stay, etc.
- Talk with Michelle about cost of treatment.
- Jessica will arrange for Michelle to call you and discuss cost of treatment. If needed, Vital Health Institute has two different financing options available for patients.
- Finalize surgery details with Jessica, who will:
- Confirm your surgery date
- Schedule your pre-op and post-op visits
- Provide contact information for hospitals and anesthesiologist
- Help with other miscellaneous details
- Make your flight and hotel arrangements (see below)
- If you are flying in to see Dr. Cook, San Jose airport (SJC) is the closest airport (just 10 minutes away). The San Francisco (SFO) and Oakland (OAK) Airports are other options.
- If at any time you experience difficulties with the process, please call Jessica at 888-256-7705.
Making Travel Arrangements for Your Surgery
You can use your own travel agent, or book flight arrangements yourself; alternatively, you can find low-cost fares via the Internet. If you do book a flight online, the local airport codes are: (San Jose – SJC, San Francisco – SFO, Oakland – OAK)
Out of state patients undergoing surgery are usually here for about nine days.
If your surgery is on a Thursday, you should plan on the following schedule:
- Fly to San Jose on the prior Sunday
- First pre-op appointment Monday (usually two hours)
- If additional tests are needed, these will be scheduled on Tuesday
- Second pre-op office appointment on Wednesday (allow two hours)
- Surgery – Thursday
- Post-op appointment – Monday
If your surgery date is on a day other than Thursday, you will still follow the same schedule of appointments (although the actual days of the week will be different).
Depending upon the type of surgery performed, patients usually need a day to a week of post-operative recovery before they are ready to fly home.
Make hotel arrangements ahead of time.
If you need to make arrangements for a rental car, this can be done through any of the major car rental companies.
The weather in Los Gatos is usually sunny, mild and pleasant in the summer. In the winter the temperature usually reaches a high in the 50s, with rain not uncommon.
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