This web page outlines the steps needed to come to California to receive treatment with Dr. Cook. If you are interested in further exploring this possibility, follow the steps outlined below.

The decision to undergo surgery is not made lightly by most people. Here at Athena we understand that traveling out of state 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. Dr. Cook and the staff at Athena Institute of Health truly believe in the quality of service that we provide to patients. We welcome your questions. We want you to understand our medical practice and what we have to offer to you. We don't pretend to offer a quick fix that will easily rid you of all of your problems. We are very good at dealing with these medical problems and are dedicated to doing everything possible to help you. Many of the staff at Athena have experienced pelvic pain, endometriosis, adhesions and interstitial cystitis. They are part of Athena because they believe in helping others get the relief they deserve. We also want to help others avoid some of the struggles so often encounter with the medical profession when deal with pelvic pain.

We want to help you make the right decision for you. To help make this happen we need to some information from you. We need you to fill out our new patient questionnaire. We also need a copy of your previous medical records, especially a copy of previous operative reports. The steps listed below will help to expedite the process.

Steps to Arrange Surgery with Dr. Cook at Athena Institute of Health

1. Serious inquires should schedule an appointment to talk with Dr. Cook. There is no obligation for speaking with Dr. Cook about your situation and the possibility of having surgery with him.

   Either:

   • call Michelle, Dr. Cook's Patient Coordinator, at 408-358-2511 or 888-256-7705
     or
     
   • complete and submit the Medical Summary Form via the Internet and Michelle will call you back to schedule an appointment to speak with Dr. Cook.
     

2. Michelle will answer any questions you have about the practice and will set up an initial phone appointment with Dr. Cook. She will tell you how to download the Athena new patient packet from the Internet or she will mail you a Athena new patient packet, depending upon your preference.
   
   
3. When you get your Athena new patient packet, complete the new patient questionnaire and return it and the other requested forms as soon as possible. We need to have these forms back at Athena one week prior to your phone appointment with Dr. Cook.
   

4. Get a copy of your previous medical records, especially your previous operative reports, sent to Dr. Cook. You will need to send a "release of medical records" to your previous doctors. They need your written permission to make a copy of your records and send them to us.

5. Speak with Dr. Cook. This helps Dr. Cook understand your particular medical situation and it helps you understand what Dr. Cook and Athena can offer you in the way of treatment options. A tentative treatment plan is formulated based upon your conversation with Dr. Cook.

6. Speak with Michelle, Dr. Cook's Patient Coordinator and Surgery Scheduler. Based upon the treatment plan formulated in step 5, Michelle will:
   
   • call your insurance company and obtain the required insurance pre-certification,
     
   • provide you with an estimate of costs,
     
   • will schedule your surgery
     
   • set up any other necessary appointments
   
   
7. Make flight and hotel arrangements. (see below) San Jose airport (SJC) is the best airport to use to if you are flying into see Dr. Cook.
   

8. If at anytime you have difficulties in the process, please call Michelle at 888-256-7705.
   

Making Travel Arrangements for Your Surgery

1. You can use your own travel agent or book flight arrangements yourself, or alternatively, you can find low cost fares via the Internet Travelocity. If you do book a flight through travelocity the airport code for San Jose is SJC.

   Out of state patients undergoing surgery are usually here for about one and a half weeks. On average, patients are usually off of work for one to five weeks after returning home and it will probably be a month or even two before you are feeling back to normal. Patients usually fly in one day with the new patient visit, pre-operative evaluation and lab tests Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Depending on your situation, surgery is usually scheduled on Thursday. Depending upon what type of surgery is performed, patients usually need from a day to a week of post operative recovery before they are ready to fly home.

2. Make hotel arrangements. Athena Institute of Health has made special arrangement with Oakwood Apartments for our patients. They have Studio, 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom furnished apartments with full sized kitchens and appliances. Click here for a list of local hotels, web links, addresses and phone numbers.

3. If you need to make arrangements for a rental car, this can be done through any of the major car rental companies or arrangement can be made through travelocity.

4. Review the map of the area. This shows the location of my office (Athena Institute of Health) as a red star.

5. The weather in Los Gatos is usually sunny, mild and pleasant in the summer. The temperature in the winter usually reach's a high in the 50's with rain not uncommon. You can check the Los Gatos 4 day weather forecast or the 5 day weather forecast to get an idea of what the weather will be like during your stay.

Information about the San Francisco Bay Area

The San Francisco Bay area is a great place to visit with a lot to see and do. San Francisco, San Jose, Carmel, Monterey, Santa Cruz are all with in an hour of Los Gatos,

1. Official San Jose City Guide

2. Official San Francisco City Guide

3. Town of Los Gatos
4. Santa Cruz Guide
5. Carmel by the Sea
6. Cannery Row Online
7. Wine Tours
8. Wine Spectator

Updated September 15, 2002