When I arrived at the surgical center for my scheduled hernia surgery Boulder was in Medium covid transmission and almost all medical offices and hospitals were requiring patients and staff to wear mask. None of the people in the reception area had a mask on including staff! I proceeded to ask the maskless receptionist at the surgical center if they were requiring masks in the pre-op and operating area of clients and staff and was told YES, but not in this waiting area.

I had another problem during check-in. The surgical sign-off sheet said he was going to do surgery on both my left AND right side. I had a left femoral hernia caused by an accident It was not a genetic hernia. There was no need to put mesh on both sides (other than possibly for additional insurance billing). I crossed out that permission even though the office staff instructed me not to. When I discussed it again in pre-op with Dr. Fox’s, he seemed perturbed about it.

I sat outside in single digit temperatures since I did not want to wait in a closed indoor environment with unmasked people. When I was taken into the pre-op area, many of patients and staff had no masks on. I asked to use the restroom before the IV was put in. It was DIRTY!

I have a serious allergies to corn, peanuts and dairy (anaphylaxis) and gave both the surgical center and the surgeon information well in advance of the surgery and even confirmed with both that they had it. During my initial meeting with Dr Fox at his office to decide if I would have hernia surgery, he assured me there would be no problem with my allergy’s just to let his office and the surgical center know via the forms they asked me to fill out (of which I did). I should have taken a clue from the fact he gave me a post-op handout for hernia surgery. It gave me care for men’s genitals!. I’m a female I don’t have those body parts.

After hooking me up to the IV in the pre-op area, the anesthesiologist came by to introduce himself and I talked with him about my corn allergy and that many medications have corn derivatives in them and went to confirm he had checked the med’s as I had been assured he would do. I discovered he did not have any of the forms I filled out for the surgical center (well in advance), nor from Dr. Fox that let him know about my allergies. He had not been notified of my allergy nor did he care. When I asked him to check the meds for my allergies, he told me it takes too much time to do so. I went back and forth with the anesthesiologist in conversations attempting to encourage him to check the meds for corn derivative and he kept saying no and asking if I was comfortable and will I be moving forward with surgery! I then asked the anesthesiologist what happens if I get anaphylactic shock, will he be using Epinephrine? He then proceeded to tell me he would, but he also did not know if it had corn derivatives in it and was not going to check! I was stunned. He again asked if I was comfortable going forward with surgery and I responded, no, but I know I need the surgery so I have no choice. Dr. Fox came by next. He asked if I was comfortable going forward with surgery and repeated myself. He was visibly perturbed with “me” of all things, and then said he was cancelling the surgery since he was not comfortable doing surgery on me and he clearly acted as if the problem was not him, but me!

I called his office to make sure I would not be billed since Dr. Fox cancelled the surgery. I was told I would not bee billed. I WAS BILLED and just found out since my insurance company paid him! I now need to contact my insurance company about it.

On a side note, weeks prior to the surgery, Dr. Fox’s. office was supposed to send a prescription for an allergen free compounded pain med for after surgery. I contacted his office multiple times to follow up since no pharmacy was calling me for pre-payment and I was told each time it was still being worked on, but not given any details. Two day’s before surgery I contacted his office again and was told this time they could not find a pharmacy. There are LOTS of compounding pharmacy’s in Colorado! I told his staffer that my MD has sent many prescription to be compounded for me. She contacted my doctor and my doctor managed to get it in time for me. Just before Dr. Fox cancelled the surgery, I mentioned I had difficulty getting a prescription for corn free pain pills as he had promised. He cut me off irately before I could say much, telling me how his staff had been so responsible about it and got me some. They only finally got it because I TOLD THEM TO CALL MY MD and because they asked my MD to do it. Thankfully, the pharmacy was able to put a rush on it due to my surgical date. It was certainly not because of his staff. Based on his angry response, my guess is there is poor communication with-in his office and the staffer took credit.

Submitted March 23, 2023

I thank alpine surgical. Dr richard fox for making a scarey surgery. A lot easier for me and completed flawless. THANKS

Submitted Oct. 27, 2016

Friendly, reassuring, and professional. Treated me for varicose veins, very clean surgery. Great and helpful staff.

Submitted May 23, 2012

This doctor lacked the knowlsdge to make prudent decisions during surgery and weigh the life-long consequences of his surgical actions. I am now permenently impaired and my quality of life has been compromised. My condition is irreversable and managing my symptoms are the only option. I entered surgery in perfect health and now suffer from a rare disorder. I believe his intentions were good but he needed more training in this type of procedure.

Submitted April 13, 2012

Excellent surgeon & person! Dr Fox did my port for chemo to treat very aggressive ovarian cancer 3 wks after big gyn-oncology surgery. I'm only 42 & watched my mom go thru horrible chemo. I was totally freaked as this made cancer & chemo very real. As I dropped off insurance stuff, no appt. "Hi, I'm Rich Fox, let me talk to you and show you what I'm going to do." Very reasuring! Going into surgery, he teased me in a polite, warm way about my new 'short do' as I just had haircut in prep for chemo. I was a tough port placement, but he got it and explained things post op. When my port failed (not his fault),same thing--no appt, but he wanted to see me, reasure, tried other options, never charged me. Clinically very sound, professional,& thorough with exams. High praise from my gyn-onc re: bowel resect he did on another patient of hers. His MA is wonderful--great rapport with her. His warmth, humor, made a very tough time much easier. In it b/c he loves people and loves what he's doing.

Submitted Oct. 11, 2008

We all know- most surgeons are complete jerks with a massive God-complex. Dr. Fox is a complete exception to that general understanding. He is perhaps the BEST Doctor I have ever had. He is, without question, the most compassionate, caring, and understanding surgeon I have ever had. I have Stage 4 cancer, and by admission, I am an extremely difficult patient. He took his time with me and explained why these surgeries were necessary. Even when I started to give him a very hard time about the procedure- he carefully guided me towards the correct decision. (I had an APR- removal of my rectum and a colostomy). He was also very willing to work with me in financial matters. Please- if you are looking for an extremely competent, caring, compassionate surgeon- use his services. He is AMAZING. He not only saved my life, but also my QUALITY of life. Dr. Fox, quite simply, rules.

Submitted Sept. 26, 2008