| Phone Number | Clinical Office Address |
|---|---|
| (801) 587-7963 |
Specialties
Bio
Dr. Vargo's clinical practice involves basic general surgery, including gallbladder and hernia surgery. He utilizes basic and advanced techniques in performing these procedures, including minimally invasive surgery/laparoscopy and robotic surgery.
In addition, Dr. Vargo has a specialty practice in complex abdominal wall surgery, including large incisional/ventral hernias, parastomal hernias, and fistulas to the abdominal wall. He has performed more than 500 complex abdominal wall reconstructions and is considered one of the experts in this field. He is currently working to advance the techniques of robotic surgery as they apply to complex abdominal reconstruction.
Board Certification and Academic Information
| Academic Departments | Surgery - Professor (Clinical) |
| Academic Divisions | General Surgery |
| Board Certification | American Board of Surgery (General Surgery) American Board of Surgery (Sub: Surg Critical Care) |
Patient Ratings
The Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to care provider related questions on our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey.
Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.
UofU Patient August 01, 2016
Dr Vargo- has not been the best at helping me with what to look forward to or any guidance at all. i usually leave his office very upset and frustrated.
UofU Patient July 18, 2016I'm taking ideas from your practice and trying to include it in mine.
UofU Patient July 01, 2016I have had Dr Vargo's excellent surgical knowledge and skills work on me before with a very tricky KY situation and surgery. I recommend him all of the time and would not want another surgeon.
UofU Patient April 15, 2016I felt trust in Dr Vargo, he explained what the surgery would be like, time in hospital, care at home, etc. He left me with a feeling of confidence. I am very thankful that I connected with him as my doctor. Thank you Dr Vargo.
UofU Patient April 11, 2016Excellent visit with Dr. Vargo. Very impressed with his explanations.
UofU Patient April 05, 2016felt well taken care of
UofU Patient March 01, 2016I felt very comfortable about the time the Doctor allowed us to understand what would be happening and answering our questions.
UofU Patient February 29, 2016My only concern is that while Dr. Vargo was very knowledgable and friendly at this appointment, I was disappointed that he didn't bother to see me after surgery or come to see me when I was admitted to the hospital when I developed a complication after surgery. It would have been nice to at least have a phone call letting me know how things went and about my complication rather than having residents try to address my concerns.
UofU Patient January 27, 2016Dr. Vargo was very helpful and friendly. He took time to answer all my questions and concerns. He explained my procedure very well and really took the time to make sure I felt comfortable with it. Would definitely recommend this doctor.
UofU Patient January 11, 2016Dr. Vargo was prompt, professional and exhibited excellent bedside manner. He answered my questions and provided a very thorough description of the procedure I was going to have.
UofU Patient November 27, 2015Dr. Vargo demonstrated his real concern by asking that I phone the office in a few days to let him know how I was doing.
UofU Patient November 16, 2015Dr. Vargo spent time to explain the nature of the hernia repair surgery that I had.
UofU Patient October 12, 2015This was my first encounter with Dr. Vargo and I found him very friendly and provided great explanations about hernia and treatment. Nathan, his resident was also friendly and provided great explanations.
UofU Patient September 08, 2015Waited for Dr. Vargo in waiting room for over 45 min. This was a post-op check and visit from Dr. should have only taken 5 min. I ended up leaving without seeing Dr. Vargo due to the length of wait and disrespect for my time.
UofU Patient August 03, 2015DR. VARGO MADE ME FILL REALY COMFERTABLE.
UofU Patient July 24, 2015This care provider was recommended by another care provider who told me he is the best at what he does.
UofU Patient May 23, 2015Dr. Vargo is great
UofU Patient March 30, 2015Very Good
UofU Patient February 16, 2015I would recommend the Doctor because I feel he is very capable but would caution them they cannot expect timely care.
UofU Patient February 03, 2015Dr. Vargo has wonderful patient interaction, though when it came to giving me reasons or solutions for the pain I am feeling I did not get any. I am coming back to have a CT scan next week but I was never told what that may, or may not diagnose. I am interested to know what may have caused my pain and what I can be doing to make it better. Waiting two weeks to see him again causes me anxiety about my pain.
UofU Patient December 01, 2014Very compassionate and kind provider given the diagnosis of malignancy. I would definitely recommend Dr. Vargo to anyone having the need of a General Surgeon.
UofU Patient October 27, 2014My husband has had surgery performed by Dr. Vargo with a beautiful scar less result. He is the first name people mention when someone needs a General Surgeon.
UofU Patient September 24, 2014Showed a great deal of care and compassion.
UofU Patient August 04, 2014Care provider needed results from a diagnostic test before making a reasonable evaluation.
UofU Patient June 17, 2014I was extremely comfortable with Dr. Vargo - all the good things we had heard about him were true!
UofU Patient June 17, 2014yes it was great and yes I would tell my friends.
UofU Patient May 28, 2014I received a surgery from Dr Vargo on May 9th however he said he would call me to let me know how things went and never called. Then on my follow up visit he was out of town and had someone at the last minute fill in for him that didnt know anything about my case and all they did was pull up the post op note and read it. Also Dr. Vargo ordered an L Spine MRI and follow up on that was completely absent.
UofU Patient April 21, 2014My experience was exceptional and I would recommend your facility to anyone needing treatment
UofU Patient March 16, 2014He was excellent. Good communicator, empathetic, and kind. Prompt response to my concerns.
UofU Patient February 09, 2014Dr Vargo was friendly, professional and made me feel confident regarding upcoming surgery. I heard nothing but wonderful reports on his skill, and how I was lucky to have him for my surgeon. I totally agree
UofU Patient January 03, 2014Not one of the doctors who did the surgery, didn't really know much about my case, didn't explain any continuing restrictions, seemed only mildly interested in my case.
UofU Patient January 02, 2014It would have been a little better if the care provider would have know more about my surgery or used the computer in the room to find more information to answer my questions instead of leaving the room to find information.
UofU Patient December 29, 2013Both Dr. Vargo and the post-doc fellow spent quite a bit of time making sure I understood what can be known of causes of the condition and the range of outcomes from surgery. I appreciated that he was realistic about expectations without being discouraging.
UofU Patient December 11, 2013As usual, Dr Vargo was very professional and friendly. I enjoy my interactions with him and feel as though he genuinely cares about my well-being.
UofU Patient October 21, 2013Dr. Vargo gave very very good care when NO other doctor would even try to treat my problems. I have every confidence in his ability and care he gave me.
UofU Patient October 21, 2013I was very impressed with his gentle and caring mannerisms in the exam, his explanations of my condition and the complications involved, though extremely challenging are not impossible. I was impressed with the ease of including my husband in on the visit by speaker phone as he clearly laid out the plan of action and answered the few extra questions I had.
UofU Patient September 30, 2013I really like Dr. Vargo - he is professional, courteous, and shows genuine concern for his patients and their needs.
UofU Patient September 09, 2013Really pleased with Dr. Vargo's referral to another physician and the immediate follow up by the referred physician
UofU Patient September 09, 2013the care provider seemed rushed. when he was through talking he stood by the door while I finished asking questions.
UofU Patient August 07, 2013I was so impressed with the Resident/Intern doctor. He didn't seem to be rushed and gave me a very thorough examination before making any recommendations. He truly seemed concerned about my situation and took the time to listen. He also emphasized that Dr. Vargo would make the final recommendations. Now to Dr. Vargo -- I continue to sing his praises. He provided me with more simple day to day recommendations which have been a great help. I would not have known about these helps had it not been for Dr. Vargo. I continue to be impressed with his professionalism, friendliness and excellent "bed-side manners". Dr. Vargo goes the extra mile to show his sincere concern for me as a patient and the best possible out-come for future surgery. I would go as far as to say Dr. Vargo is my HERO and CHAMPION.
UofU Patient July 22, 2013I was extremely impressed with Dr. Vargo's knowledge and skill as well as his bedside manner. I was also impressed with his teaching skills and his relationship with the students under him.
UofU Patient July 17, 2013I didn't complete the survey from the initial consultation with Dr. Vargo. However, I feel obligated to comment on the professionalism of him and his staff. In that initial consultation, I was very impressed with how patient and courteous Dr. Vargo was, and how thoughtful and attentive he was in thoroughly answering all my questions. One of the most professionally courteous physicians I've ever encountered.
UofU Patient July 15, 2013excellent experience for a hospital visit
UofU Patient June 03, 2013My experience with follow up was excellent
UofU Patient May 07, 2013dr. Vargo was very informative. he is an excellent doctor. We hope to not need his services again but would definitely recommend him.
UofU Patient April 18, 2013good
UofU Patient April 01, 2013initial visit was a good experience with all questions answered and noted by Dr. Vargo. Followup was also a very good experience. I would highly recommend Dr. Vargo to anyone with a surgical procedure.
UofU Patient March 11, 2013I believe Dr. Vargo to be a great doctor who is very accommodating to my surgery and FMLA needs.
UofU Patient March 08, 2013This was a bad experience from the Saturday night visit to the ER to the Monday morning surgery follow-up visit. The only good experiences was with a nurse in the ER (can't remember her name) and another ER individual by name of Todd Ashby (he was great).
UofU Patient February 25, 2013Dr. Vargo is the finest surgeon I could have ever chosen. I have full confidence in his abilities, and I recommend him to others constantly. This past visit was the best one I have ever had with him as he took the time to explain everything to me in a comprehensive way.
UofU Patient January 28, 2013I am so grateful to have been referred to Dr. Vargo a few years ago. He truly is the VERY BEST!!
UofU Patient January 08, 2013The whole visit was great. Ontime, got me in for ultrasound same day.
UofU Patient December 31, 2012I'm glad I chose Dr. Vargo as my surgeon.
UofU Patient December 31, 2012my first experience with this doctor would certainly again lead me to contact him if I needed to, or to refer others to him for care.
UofU Patient November 19, 2012There was no medications involved nor any more follow-up appointments. The doctors were very nice and thorough.
UofU Patient November 05, 2012The sx f/u visit was comprehensive: Dr. Vargo was clear, kind, thorough, and a good teacher of the medical student who was present. Exceptional.
UofU Patient October 08, 2012The care providers were extremely knowledgeable, helpful, concern, and caring
UofU Patient July 25, 2012I felt the Dr. felt some of my questions were ridiculous. He did not give me any instructions about follow up care, i.e. recuperation time, lifting restrictions, etc.
UofU Patient July 23, 2012I was very impressed with Dr. Vargo, and he had an excellent bedside manner. I am 100% comfortable with him doing my surgical procedure.
UofU Patient July 09, 2012Dr. is amazing. I've referred many of my friends to him because of what a wonderful doctor he is.
UofU Patient July 05, 2012The doctors and nurses were very nice and did everything possible to make mw comfortable.
UofU Patient April 27, 2012I have recommended Dr. Vargo to other Doctors in the Idaho Falls, Idaho area. I am told they have referred patients to Dr Vargo on my recommendations.
UofU Patient February 17, 2012I would recommend Dr. Vargo and his staff to anyone needing this kind of surgery.
UofU Patient January 13, 2012This visit marked the end of a difficult and complicated surgical procedure that was successfully completed by Dr. Vargo and his staff. No other surgeon in the Salt Lake City area was willing to attempt this surgical task.
Patient Comments
Patient comments are gathered from our Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey and displayed in their entirety. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.