Paul T Cirangle, MD

Had VSG on 10÷7÷14 after about 5 years of research, weighing options and attending various informational meetings hosted by various surgeons for various procedures. I made an informed decision in selecting Dr. Cirangle.
There was no missunderstanding about the costs, services and legal liability terms. I was given ample opportunity to explore and ask questions regarding every bit of the waivers, risks, procedure, aftercare and expectations. Dr. Cirangle is focused, efficient and scary-​smart! As far as his bed side manner — I didn’t find him rude at all! Though his delivery was unvarnished, he treated me with respect and included me as a partner in treatment and care. I especially appreciated the video link he sent showing him conducting the procedure from start to finish. There was NOTHING more he could have done to prepare me.
His staff — They work together as a team and were available to me as I needed them. I was never neglected or disrespected. Gabriella (nutrition/​diet) had thorough and detailed instructions for post surgery eating. Sunana (Cirangle’s PA) was thoughtful, supportive and full of great advice.
I’ve lost all the weight I never thought I would, my excess skin isn’t so much of a problem and I feel and look great. I wish I would have done this sooner. No regrets.

Don’t go here. I did and I deeply regret it. I cancelled surgery two months before the date and two days after scheduling it and they want to keep $ 1,330.00 for nothing after I have already paid $ 400.00 for a consultation. After I cancelled the surgery, I received abusive and threatening emails from Dr. Cirangle and I have had to report him to the Medical Board of California. There is something very wrong with this office. They are unprofessional, unethical and focused on getting money from patients at all costs.

I wrote a review a few years ago but I am now 4 years out from surgery. Dr. Cirangle is much more than a surgeon. He is a partner for life in helping his patients live happy and healthy lives. If you fall off track and gain (even a pound) he will help you get it off and get back to the basics that he teaches every patient when they meet him and have surgery. His Registered Dietician is a tremendous resource that is available whenever I need her or have a question and she is always providing really great information at each of his support group meetings. I am so happy that I found Dr. Cirangle and I continue to appreciate him more each year out from surgery. Losing the weight was a really easy process but maintaining a healthy lifestyle and my desired weight is a lot harder. It’s really nice to know that there is someone to hold me accountable and continue teaching me healthy eating habits. It’s amazing how great I feel.

I would not recommend going to Dr. Cirangle. I absolutely loved him, but his office staff is HORRIBLE! No customer service what so ever. Stacy who is the main person you have to deal with is very rude and condescending. She never returns your calls, never follows through with what she promises. When you do finally get a hold of her she is so rude to you that it’s horrifying. I waited over 2 months for a response from her that she said would take 2 days. Every time I contacted her I would get some run around story. That was when I decided this office is not for me.
If I can’t get answers to my questions now before the surgery what is going to happen after I have the surgery??? It made me so very nervous. The dietitian Gabriella was very nice and always pleasant on the phone. Until… she figured out that I was going to move onto another doctor. All of a sudden I couldn’t get my medical records until I now signed a document stating that I would be liable for this outrageous $$ amount if I either decided to go to another doctor or even if I decided to not have the surgery. Of course I never signed it and they had to give me my records but it took almost a month before I got them. About a week after that I received a bill for $ 250– with no explanation what so ever and it was supposedly for services dated back to my first visit with them in January and it is now April. I will not be paying the bill and will move forward with legal action if need be.
I felt bad having to change doctors because I really liked Dr. Cirangle but I think Stacy is ruining his business personally. Please be careful if you decide to go here. I was very dissappointed as I had read great reviews about him. However, I have found another GREAT doctor who is wonderful and his staff is great. It was funny when I mentioned Dr Cirangles name they knew immediately I left because of Stacy… :(

I have been a patient of Dr. C for about 2 years, however just started getting «the Unilocal bug» recently. Quite honestly, you will NOT find a more caring and dedicated physician in Northern California. He has a national reputation and absolutely lives up to it. He performed my Sleeve Gastrectomy in April of 2012 — since that time I have not only LOST 137 POUNDS, but my diabetes, heartburn and high blood pressure have gone away completely. Everything went perfectly! His office staff is awesome as well. Every time I call, I am greeted by a friendly voice who actually goes out of their way to help me — IMAGINE THAT!

Dr. Cirangle is GREAT or at least I thought so at the beginning. Now he is just a drive by pay 10K (no insurance) 2 year free fills kind of guy. Lucky for you when you paid that 10K he also throws in talking down to you & making you cry. Not me, you say? LMAO .Oh yes, YOU TOO! Just what we all need after having surgery. One Office visit MY HUBBY SAID HE FELT LIKE CRYING TOO, HE COULDN’T IMAGINE THE WORDS DR. CIRANGLE WAS SAYING TO ME & I JUST TOOK IT. We talked about it in the car I went back 1 more time, told him how I didn’t appreciate being scolded like a child & a few other words. It felt good as he was really horrible to me… That was the last time I saw him. The other fills I no longer wanted from him. I can afford to pay for my own fills w/​a Dr. who will smile & and do his job too. So now it is 2 or 3 years later & I am in the Emergency Room at Stanford’s Lapland slipped down I was nausea the whole time & in great pain went to a Dr. other then Dr. Cirangle & he asked me why I don’t go back to the same Dr. I told him because he thinks he’s God & I don’t like him. That simple & 100% the truth. Then when the new Dr. saw he put a Lapland over the pouch I had, he could not believe he Dr. Cirangle did it. That is not something that should be done he said while turning his head side to side. Luckily, I got in had to wait a bit .(5 weeks of liquid’s only) Not a problem as to the pain I had before. Please beware .Before you decide who you want & make sure
you really know the Dr’s. Oh I had failed to mention in the waiting room a lady I had asked how she liked Dr. Cirangle & she told me he got on to her alot but she guessed she needed that. No one needs that, you deserve better… My opinion only. Now go have a great day…

My life was forever changed after having gastric bypass surgery with Dr. Cirangle 6 ½ years ago. At 38 years old, I walked into that surgery consultation with Dr. Cirangle feeling as bad, physically and emotionally, as I had ever felt. He was direct, honest and ultimately thought he could help me. I’d seen doctors regularly my whole life who never addressed my weight or even suggested that I had a problem. Maybe they thought they would offend me? I don’t know? I am sure that I had even convinced myself that weighing 280 pounds wasn’t that heavy. Dr. Cirangle didn’t sugarcoat anything and didn’t pretend that my health wasn’t in serious jeopardy. He gave me all the facts and information and costs right up front. He told me that weight loss surgery was only a tool, that it was up to me to make the changes necessary if I wanted to lose and ultimately maintain my weight. I researched everything, attended his support groups and scheduled surgery for 4 months later. My surgery went well, recovery as I expected-​I was back to work two weeks later (and 30 pounds lighter). I continued follow-​up with Dr. Cirangle. Within that first year I had lost 100% of my excess body weight. I actually never knew how bad I felt or how sick I was until I felt better. Around the 4 year mark, I hit some bumps, gained a little weight, struggled with anemia, but that was because I was making unhealthy choices. I made some changes. Now, I continue to maintain a «normal» weight. If you want a doctor to laugh at your jokes or believe your excuses for your obesity, then Dr. Cirangle is not your guy. But if you are ready to make a commitment to your health, want an excellent surgeon and expert in the field of bariatric surgeries, you should consider him. I will be forever grateful.

Look.
You’ve committed yourself to a lifestyle change, to ending your obesity, and giving yourself freedom from the fat suit you’ve had wrapped around your skeleton for years. This is awesome. But stack the cards in your favor, and really research all the surgeons out there. I’m a career scientist, so reading papers and judging metrics are right up my alley, and that’s one of the reasons I picked Paul Cirangle as my surgeon. I was sleeved (VSG) last year; I got to goal weight in about nine months, losing 130 pounds. I actually lost 100% of my excess body weight, which is something most WLS patients aren’t always able to do. I picked Cirangle for a few reasons.
1) My research showed he was one of the best sleeve surgeons out there — he’s written papers and developed methods that other surgeons use to learn how to properly shape a sleeved stomach.
2) If you look around the area and look at people that maintain 100% excess weight loss for many years, you’ll see many are Cirangle patients — I noticed that, and I wanted that level of success!
3) Cirangle’s surgery metrics are awesome. He sews a tight, effective sleeve but because of his technique and experience, doesn’t usually suffer from complications like leaks. As him directly about his metrics and compare them to other surgeons.
4) And this one makes a huge difference, folks — his office staff is outstanding. They are along with you during your journey. I’ve called and e-​mailed them a LOT, and they have always been welcoming and engaging. They remember who I am, they understand what it’s like to be morbidly obese, and they stay with you during the journey. Many surgeon offices treat you like cattle, pushing you through the surgical line, but LapSF really does seem to care about the success and feelings of their patients.
5) Cirangle is really committed to aftercare guidance, and even now he still helps me develop skills for entering maintenance and remembers me and my journey. I feel like if I had chosen a different surgeon with a different office staff, I wouldn’t have gotten rid of all of my weight. If you have more questions about Cirangle as a surgeon, please feel free to contact me directly. I’m really critical of surgeons and medical staff in general, but I cannot recommend this guy enough — he’s helped turn my life around.
To those who say Cirangle is a jerk — yeah, he’s not warm and cuddly; it’s not his job to be. You don’t hire him to get the best bedside manner, you hire him to have the best weight loss surgery. He’s a big advocate on tough love, and a lot of patients come in thinking that the surgery will fix everything and they can just eat less of the low-​quality food they’re currently eating. Cirangle confronts people because he wants them to be successful, and not lie to themselves. He’s not a sales manager or customer service rep., he’s a bariatric surgeon and he saves people’s lives.
My life is wildly different and amazing and adventurous now, and I owe it to him and his team.

DO NOT USE THIS GUY FOR HELP WITH YOUR WEIGHT ISSUES —
HE’S A COMPLETE RIPP OFF!
I got so sick from a defective port that leaked after 5 years. When I called him about it he told me I would have to repay for an entire new surgery! I’m filing a legal complaint against him. On top of everything else HE’S A COMPLETE JERK. HE HAS NO BEDSIDE MANNER AND DOESN’T GIVE A _​_​_​_​about you unless you are paying for another surgery. BUYER BEWARE — he’s the worst! I sincerely regret using him. I’ll have to use a qualified doctor to repair the faulty port this jerk put inside me!!!

Stellar surgeon, and unbelievably fantastic staff!
I had the vertical gastrectomy (or gastric sleeve/​VSG) surgery with Dr Cirangle on 04/​26/​2012 (just under 2 months post-​op).
I only met with Dr C once before surgery; I found him direct and confident, and based on my research he really was the surgeon for me – great track record and a leader in VSG. My surgery was as close to «a breeze» as I could have hoped for; I recovered quickly, with minimal scarring and no significant pain. Two days after surgery I noticed that one eye was very dilated and was very worried; I called Dr C’s cell phone number… HE answered (not a message service), and he told me to not worry — I simply touched the anti-​nausea patch by my ear and likely then touched my eye. Whew! To be able to CALL my surgeon personally and talk to him was incredible.
In 2 months I have lost approximately 32 lbs and am absolutely thrilled with this decision. Dr Cirangle has an on-​going relationships with his patients; I saw him about 1 month after surgery and I will be seeing him again in the coming week or so.
Okay… so for the staff… I can honestly say I owe my surgery to Marilyn Reed.
Marilyn works with the insurance companies for Dr Cirangle’s patients; in my particular situation, I had obstacles. First, I was initially denied by insurance. Then, when I had the necessary information to be approved, my insurance carrier at work changed from Anthem to Aetna, and I was informed that Aetna wouldn’t cover bariatric surgery. So, there was a mad scramble to (1) ensure I was approved by Anthem and (2) get me scheduled for surgery.
Marilyn is a miracle worker; she continued to follow-​up with Anthem and helped with internal scheduling so that I could have surgery before my carriers changed. She could have treated me like a number… but she didn’t. She was patient with my pestering, and she was always positive and optimistic about the outcome.
I am healthier and happier as a result of Dr Cirangle’s work and Marilyn’s dedication to helping patients.
All other staff I’ve worked with and talked to have been wonderful. They are ALWAYS sweet and helpful… it’s such a pleasure to work with an office of people who really treat the patients with respect. Thank you all for your hard work! You have no idea the lives you’re changing!

I am a 3 week post-​op patient of Dr. Cirangle– my experience with Dr. Cirangle, his staff and his surgical skills have been a positive experience so far.
His staff are helpful and can answer most non-​medical questions. When you are a patient of his, you are afforded counsel of a nutritionist as well as direct access to the surgeons. They send you home with a very detailed dietary guide after surgery as well as a host of barriatric foods that you will need to get you through the post-​op. His office also coordinates their own support seminars– a rarity among this profession.
I believe Dr. Cirangle is a topnotch DOCTOR because he doesn’t sugarcoat things… the guy is a straight shooter. He will give you the information and tools you need to be successful– and any support you need along the way.
I believe he is a topnotch SURGEON because he has had THOUSANDS of successful surgeries, he is widely known as one of the best VSG surgeons in the US and because my surgery went beautifully and I see success already.
I chose Dr. Cirangle after joining several weight loss surgery forums, on line researching, etc. The one thing I kept coming back to was the absolute skill and low complication stats of Dr. Cirangle and his comprehensive post-​op support tools. He wasn’t the cheapest– but after I did my research I firmly believed that his skill, service and aftercare was worth every penny. This is major surgery we are talking about… not exactly a time to pinch pennies.
**If you are reading this review, it means that you are interested in weight loss surgery (wls) for yourself or a loved one– I will personally attest that it was the single best decision I have ever made for myself. Hands down one that is already impacting my life in an amazingly positive way. Take a chance… life’s too short.**

I have seen much feedback about people saying Dr. Cirangle is a jerk but I have to add a rebuttal that many that thought he was a jerk, before and after my surgery was because he is firm to his patients about what they need to do to be successful.
I spent almost 6 months going through the process. My ex-​husband and I split before I had my sugery so I had to postpone my procedure. Dr. C called me to find out why I had postponed after all I had gone through to get this all set-​up and when I told him I couldn’t afford the deposit because of the divorce, he offered to cut the deposit by half so I could make it work. It was a long road and he was amazing!!!
I read many reviews before I had my surgery about this and learned going through the process with him as my surgeon after my surgery that truly he is making his patients be «real» about the path they are on. I saw so many that thought these procedures would solve all their problems without having to do any work.
None of these weight loss surgeries are a «get quick» fix. So many seem to believe that and it truly is not. It is only a TOOL! You have to actually make lifestyle changes and do the work and follow the instructions of your surgeon. Just because he holds you accountable for your actions in this so very important life changing decision, you shouldn’t blame him for being a jerk!
I had my VG (Vertical Gastrectomy) on July 5^th, 2006 and I was the epitome of the perfect patient. I had no issues or side effects but I also did EVERYTHING my surgeon told me to do. I lost over 120 pounds and because I exercised, it allowed me to benefit fro a much smaller amount of excess skin. It can be very largely dependent on the amount of weight you have to lose as well but the dedication to cardio exercise helped a lot. I went from a 42 BMI to a 25 and have never looked back!!!
This was a life changing experience because of Dr. Cirangle’s experience but it also had much to do with my choices of changing my lifestyle and following all my surgeon’s instructions to a tee. I knew from the beginning that he was the expert and knew I needed to commit to this 110%. I spent a lot of time attending and later contributing to the local support group as well which was also a great help.
I hate to hear the stories about people that go through this process and fail because they don’t take the steps necessary and then complain about the process not working. It does work, if you do what you’re supposed to!!!
IT IS NOT A QUICK FIX… but a TOOL!!! Use it wisely!!! Dr. Cirangle and his staff were the best and so very helpful to me throughout the entire process I had to go through.

What do you say about a guy that basically saves your life???
I researched the Country for the Best VSG (vertical sleeve gastrectomy) Surgeon. I found him in San Francisco.
Starting Weight: 338lbs.
Current Weight: 148lbs.
Total Weight Loss: 190lbs.
Time: 12 months
BMI: 54 to 24.6
Waist: 54″ to 31″
Dr. Cirangle has always been available to me… Wed. Sun. Day Nite…
This is a Doctor that has a VERY HIGH Success Rate and does a very proper/​correct and up to date procedure. He has a great aftercare program and runs his own support groups (rare for a surgeon to run support groups).
I will say… he wants you to try. He makes it all available to you. He wants you to learn. You have access to his nutritionist, you have support groups, you have personal appointments.
If there is a better Weight Loss Surgeon in the Country… I didn’t find him/​her.
If you want a Surgeon that gets results… Dr. Cirangle is your Man…
If you want a Softy that Sugar Coats everything… telling you «awww…it’s gonna be OK… just try and cut back some on the Ho Ho’s, Doritos and Frappachinos and you’ll be fine» Than you better find another doctor.
My experience with him… Is he has been my biggest fan. He told me what to do… I did it… and he has been nothing but supportive and complimentary.
This guy is serious about Weight Loss and getting your «quality of life» back to normal and above normal levels.
He gives you all the tools…(again very rare) to be successful… Has an incredibly high success rate… way above the national average.
Highly Recommended !

I’ve been a patient of Dr. Cirangle since January of 2010. He’s an excellent sugeon. I successfully lost weight and reached my goal weight in 9 months via the help of the VSG he performed on me. He has always responded competently and quickly to my concerns. I have had both short and long waits when I go to appointments, which is normal any more in the world of medicine. The reason the wait time varies is because he takes time with each patient to address concerns and answer questions. Sometimes, that takes longer than the appointment book will accomodate.
He has had tough words for me when I needed to hear them. He has also had, more often than not, words of warmth, encouragement and concern at every appointment.
One of the most common complaints I hear from folks is that he has no bedside manner. I guess my answer to that concern is «and so what?». I didn’t hire him to hold my hand, tell me I’m doing great if in reality I’m not and/​or to give me emotional support. I hired him to give me a VSG, monitor my health over the following two years and to help me lose weight.
If you want a competent doctor who will not only do the job but do it impeccably and get you to goal, then Dr. C is your guy. If you’re looking for a hand holder, then he’s probably not the guy for you. Whichever kind of doctor you hire, just remember: they all have legal forms and waivers that you will be required to sign.

This doctor requires that you wave your legal rights by mandating that you sign a binding arbitration agreement before he will consult with you. Additionally, no mater how well of an insurance coverage you have, this doctor still requires that you personally be held liable for all of his charges, reasonable or not. When you show up at this office, he will bombard you with legal forms. However, they won’t provide these legal forms in advance for your review. I do not know about his surgical skills. However, lot to be desired about his business practices.