Are there any forms I can fill out before my appointment with Dr. Potts?
What insurance does Dr. Potts accept?
What forms of payment does Dr. Potts accept?
How long does it take to be seen by Dr. Potts?
Do you have forms telling me how to prepare for surgery?
Do I need an Advance Health Care Directive if I go in for surgery?
Do all surgical procedures require hospitalization?
Can you direct me to more information and resources about my surgery?
Can you tell me more about the types of surgery Dr. Potts specializes in?

 
Are there any forms I can fill out before my appointment with Dr. Potts?
Here are our Registration Form, Health History and Notice of Privacy Statement, all of which will have to be completed before your first appointment with Dr. Potts. If you click on the links here, you’ll be able to download these forms, fill them out and bring them with you to your appointment. If you are seeing Dr. Potts about a breast procedure, you’ll need to complete the Breast Health Questionnaire.
 
What insurance does Dr. Potts accept?
Dr. Potts accepts most major health insurance plans including Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Advantek, Pacific Care, Cigna, Health Net, Medicare, Key Health, Foundation for Medical Care (Kaweah Delta), and more. If you have a question about your coverage, please feel free to call us at (559) 738-0450.
 
What forms of payment does Dr. Potts accept?
Dr. Potts accepts all major credit and debit cards, checks and cash.
 
How long does it take to be seen by Dr. Potts?
Patients can be seen by Dr. Potts within one to two weeks of their initial call for an appointment; however, if your physician desires a consultation with Dr. Potts about your case, this can usually be arranged within 24 hours and if they concur, you may be seen sooner. Our office is open from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday.
 

Do you have forms telling me how to prepare for surgery?
Your preparations may begin between one and two days before surgery, so give yourself plenty of time to review these instructions.

Your procedure is scheduled for Kaweah Delta Hospital
Your procedure is scheduled for Sequoia Surgery Center
Find the surgery centers

Learn how to prepare for your colonoscopy.

Learn how to prepare for an upper endoscopy.

Learn how to prepare for a lower gastrointestinal surgery with antibiotics.

Learn how to prepare for surgery with a clear liquid diet only (no Halflytely).

Post-op instructions for breast biopsy

Post-op instructions for hemorrhoid surgery

Post-op instructions for hernia repair

Post-op instructions for laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Here’s a recipe for Dakin’s solution a cost-effective preparation for cleansing wounds post-operatively.
 
Do I need an Advance Health Care Directive if I go in for surgery?
This is a matter of personal choice. A California Advance Health Care Directive is a legally binding document that lets you have a say about how you want to be treated if you get very sick and can no longer make decisions for yourself. It allows health care professionals to know your desires concerning your medical in advance. If you would like to download and complete this form, click here.
 
Do all surgical procedures require hospitalization?
No – many procedures can be done at the office. Dr. Potts runs a minor surgery clinic in his office twice monthly. Procedures include ultrasound guided breast and thyroid biopsy, excision of small skin lesions and skin cancers including basal cell, squamous cell and melanoma. Other surgeries are performed at the hospital or other appropriate operating room.
 

Can you direct me to more information and resources about my surgery?

Here is a partial list of organizations that have wonderful patient education and support materials.

Breast Cancer: Susan B. Kommen Foundation

Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgery: American Society of Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons

General Surgery: American College of Surgeons
 

Can you tell me more about the types of surgery Dr. Potts specializes in?
Dr. Potts has a special interest in the treatment of both benign and malignant breast disease. He uses in-office ultrasound for diagnosis of breast lesions. This includes cyst aspiration, ultrasound guided core biopsy and vacuum assisted core biopsy. He actively pursues the best course of treatment which conserves the breast and utilizes Partial Breast Irradiation catheters and sentinel lymph node biopsy when clinically indicated.

Dr. Potts specializes in advanced laparoscopic surgery for the treatment of GERD. With Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication, patients can be treated for hiatal hernia and GERD with a minimally invasive procedure that has excellent long-term results. The patient is usually home in 24 hours and off all PPI’s or H2 blockers the day after surgery.

Dr. Potts undertakes the repair of ventral, incisional, umbilical and inguinal hernias using laparoscopic and open techniques. He performs advanced laparoscopic solid organ and gastrointestinal surgery including gallbladder, gastric, small bowel and colon resection for benign and malignant disease.

He also has many years of surgical experience in diagnostic endoscopy including screening colonoscopy, colonoscopic polypectomy and upper endoscopy for the workup of heartburn, hiatal hernia and peptic ulcer disease.

Another area of interest is endocrine surgery including thyroid, parathyroid, pancreatic and adrenal surgery.