About Dr. Robert Saeid Farivar,
Heart Valve Surgeon

"Dr. Farivar is confident in his work. My time with him prior to surgery left me feeling confident that he would do a great job. Post surgery, he accomplished what he set out to do. Thank you Dr. Farivar and much thanks to your entire team, especially to Anna Hoskins, PA."

-- Joseph Pesola, Mitral Valve, Valve Repair, Median Sternotomy, 08/16/2023

"Dr. Farivar and the team at Saint Alphonsus Heart Institute are exceptional in every aspect of my surgery.

From initial appointments, to wonderful receptionists, extremely knowledgeable nurse practitioners, physicians, and assistants, the team worked seamlessly. The entire process was amazing.

Within days of the surgery I was up and walking, home after 5 days. It is remarkable that after such a short time that I am able to feel so good. The surgery and recovery went so much better than expected.

I recommend Dr. Farivar, and the Cardiothoracic Services Team for your surgery. They answered questions before I knew what to ask. They knew everything about my surgery, and their expertise was amazing. They really changed my life, and made me a stronger person with so many years added to a life of rewards."

-- James Megaw, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, Root Replacement, 06/28/2023

"Dr. Farivar is easy to talk to. Lots of understandable information he provided. Personalized with showing interest in my career. Was very quick to get me scheduled and taken care of. A 10 out of 10. I would recommend."

-- Stephen Tate, Mitral Valve, Valve Repair, Median Sternotomy, 04/25/2023

"Everything went well, as planned. Dr. Farivar seems to have done his job well."

-- Luva Francis, Mitral Valve, Valve Replacement, 04/05/2023

"The doctor was very knowledgeable and very kind."

-- Norman Geyer, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 03/29/2023

"Dr. Farivar was very attentive before and after surgery. He explained the procedure and the outcome that was expected. His team as a whole was great! If you need any cardiac surgeries, I recommend Dr. Farivar and Saint Alphonsus, the staff was exceptional."

-- James Ramey, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 02/13/2023

"My experience with Dr. Farivar and his team was excellent . I am very happy with my surgical results and am feeling better each day."

-- William Croke, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 02/10/2023

"Dr. Farivar was very knowledgeable, explained things clearly and got straight to the point. His whole team has been great."

-- Callie Spall, Mitral Valve, Valve Repair, Median Sternotomy, 01/03/2023

"I’m so glad Dr. Farivar was my doctor. He’s an awesome surgeon. He gets to the point with no messing around. I would recommend Dr. Farivar to everybody. I understand people from all over the United States come to Saint Alphonsus just to have him do their heart surgery. I’m a month out from my surgery and almost healed. No pain. Awesome doctor."

-- Diana Seese, Aortic Valve, Mitral Valve, Valve Repair, Valve Replacement, 12/19/2022

"When we first met with Dr. Farivar, we had lots of questions regarding the "whys" of needing surgery. I feel Dr. Farivar answered our questions well, and along with many recommendations from others, put our minds at ease about having him and his team perform my needed surgery.

Surgery was scheduled within 2 weeks. Waiting in prep-area for surgery was a little lengthy, 6 hrs, but I guess everything went well, because here I am with a normal beating heart! Nurses and staff were very compassionate and professional.

I’m happy with the treatment and outcome. My rehabilitation treatment starts approximately 30 days after surgery. Hope that goes well! Thank you Dr. Farivar and St. Alphonsus staff. God bless you all for your help in the lives of others!"

-- Garry Plimmer, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, Median Sternotomy, Root Replacement, 12/14/2022

"Excellent. Dr. Farivar and his team explained what they were going to do and what to expect following the procedure. My follow-up care was excellent."

-- Gary Anger, Mitral Valve, Valve Repair, 11/18/2022

"Dr. Farivar is a very experienced cardio surgeon. I felt confident after meeting him and talking with him about the valve repair and an appendage ligation. He had models of what the different procedures looked like and was upbeat as he shared details of the upcoming surgery. I would definitely recommend Dr. Farivar as a cardio surgeon."

-- Joyce Ferreira, Mitral Valve, Valve Repair, 09/06/2022

"Dr. Farivar was friendly and professional."

-- Allison Wilcoxon, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 07/13/2022

"I met with Dr. Farivar personally only once before surgery but found his demeanor to be very reassuring. Following surgery, although his visits were brief, his bedside manner gave me every confidence that the procedure had gone very well, and I would recover nicely.

Dr. Farivar's assurances have been borne out, in that after six weeks since surgery, all of my wounds have healed almost completely and I'm feeling really good for being at this point in the process.

My thanks to Dr. Farivar and his team!!!"

-- Michael Hansen, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 07/12/2022

"I had severe regurgitation through my mitral valve caused by mitral valve defects, some of which were not detectable until the surgery. Dr. Farivar was ready for the unknown and repaired my mitral valve to full functionality, as evidenced by a post-operative transthoracic echocardiogram. His team helped me recover in the planned time despite the extra surgical procedures required."

-- Randy Bohachek, Mitral Valve, Valve Repair, Median Sternotomy, 06/29/2022

"Our experience with Dr. Farivar was terrific. My Uncle was in desperate need of a mitral repair with a complex ablation. Knowing Dr. Farivar’s reputation for details and outstanding outcomes, I helped arrange for my Uncle to travel from Sarasota, Florida to Boise, Idaho.

The procedure went exactly as Dr. Farivar had planned and my Uncle made a full recovery. He’s back at to going on long nature walks and living his best life. Every time I call and visit with him the first 5 minutes of our conversation is about how great he feels and how grateful he is to Dr. Farivar.

In addition to being a world class cardiac surgeon, Dr. Farivar is a warm and caring person who makes himself available to family and made this experience all it could be. Our entire family is so grateful to Dr. Farivar and his Heart Team. Much obliged."

-- Mike Gabler, Mitral Valve, Valve Repair, Median Sternotomy, 05/09/2022

"Dr. Farivar is a very capable surgeon and we had the expected outcome. He explained the procedure well and came by a couple of times to check on my wife."

-- Sharmini Dealwis, Mitral Valve, Valve Replacement, Median Sternotomy, Maze Procedure, 05/04/2022

"Dr. Farivar did an amazing job explaining the procedure and giving me the confidence that I was in the very best hands. He is a superior surgeon and I would recommend him without hesitation to anyone. His coworkers and the hospital staff were also exceptional."

-- Chad Donat, Mitral Valve, Valve Repair, 04/25/2022

"Dr. Farivar was very good! He explained the procedure very well. Very friendly! 😌😌"

-- Herbert Sweeney, Aortic Valve, Mitral Valve, Valve Repair, Valve Replacement, 04/22/2022

"Dr. Robert Farivar, St. Alphonsus Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Boise, Idaho, cannot be thanked enough for the successful outcome of my aortic replacement surgery. This man, with his outstanding resume, and as talented and skilled as he is, defers any credit for his surgical success to the team of professionals that he has chosen to support him.

To highlight his skills and surgical techniques, I must mention that I was taken off opioid medication for pain 3-days post-surgery. And I have easily managed any discomfort since with Tylenol. Let me state that I do not have a high threshold for pain. Quite the opposite is true. I firmly believe that Dr. Farivar's practiced approach to his work is the reason for this outcome.

Dr. Farivar is a blessing to this community. I was so fortunate to have him and his chosen team members there for me when I needed this medical intervention.

With all my sincerity, thank you Dr. Farivar."

-- Constance Taylor, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, Mini Sternotomy, 01/12/2022

"I was planning to have this procedure done at the Mayo Clinic but I was concerned about going out of state. Money was not the issue... Inconvenience for family and follow-up after the procedure were big issues. But I also wanted to get the best results.

Dr Waldmann discovered the destroyed valves during what we thought was going to be a routine procedure. After consulting with Dr. Farivar, they felt I needed immediate surgery. I discussed with family and a couple of friends who were surgeons-in other fields. They all helped with researching Dr. Farivar.

He was new to the hospital but appeared to be very qualified. My wife and I personally interviewed Dr. Farivar asking him why I should put my life in his hands. Instead of being insulted, he presented a resume of education/accomplishments, list of satisfied patients, revenant publications and hard evidence of recent success.

The surgery itself was tricky but seems to be very successful. The incisions healed with no issue, the titanium plate he uses prevents any post-surgery bone separation and everything went exactly as he described it would. He works closely with Dr. Waldmann who has done the cardiac follow-up.

Dr Farivar's bedside manner is exactly what I wanted. Professional and confident. He also seems to care about my health. He went so far as to give me his private phone number in case I had any questions or concerns. (I’ve sent several texts and he always answers quickly - most of them after hours).

One year after surgery, I am alive and recovering. I made the right decision!"

-- John W Christofferson, Aortic Valve, Mitral Valve, Valve Replacement, 03/31/2021

"Dr. Farivar is an amazing doctor. I had an amazing outcome. No complications and minimal pain."

-- Barry Kastner, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 09/01/2020

"I will sing the praises of the care I received from Dr. Farivar and his entire team for the rest of my days.

I sought Dr. Farivar thanks to the recommendation of a good friend and co-worker who had had an aortic valve replaced about a year and a half before my diagnosis. From the moment I started working with my cardiologists there I knew I was in good hands. It was a coincidence but my friend also had Dr. Farivar for her procedure and she raved about the level of care she received.

I met Dr. Farivar for my surgical consult, and I knew I was in good hands right away. He did a terrific job of explaining the damage to my valve leaflets and I felt for the first time I truly had an understanding of the actual physiology of my mitral valve. I left the hospital that morning still scared but confident in the team being assembled to help restore my heart's efficiency. It truly is a team effort, and that's what most impressed me about my entire experience with Dr. Farivar. Top to bottom I felt like the whole system was invested in my having the best outcome from my procedure. Throughout the whole experience I was constantly assured that I was in good hands, and how I was treated by schedulers, nurses, PA's, anesthesiologists, and parking attendants reaffirmed it many times over.

The toughest part of the time from diagnosis to surgery was the uncertainty regarding whether my mitral valve was going to need a repair or replacement. Dr. Farivar didn't sugar-coat anything regarding the complexity of my valve situation, and I appreciated his frankness and honesty. I had one hundred percent confidence that if it could be repaired he was the surgeon to do it.

I'll never forget how it felt to emerge from anesthesia post-surgery and be told that Dr. Farivar and his team were able to repair my valve and that everything looked great going forward. I had tried to be as stoic as possible during this experience, but I'll never forget the tears of joy and the extreme gratitude I felt towards Dr. Farivar and his entire team."

-- Jeffrey Olmsted, Mitral Valve, Valve Repair, 01/18/2017

"Dr. Farivar has an extensive background and is the Medical Director of Cardiothoracic Surgery at St. Alphonsus in Boise, Idaho. Right from my initial appointment, Dr. Farivar was very easy going and personable. He took the time to discuss, in detail, my situation and my options with myself and my husband and proceeded to answer all of our questions and concerns.

Specializing in minimally invasive surgery, I felt confident in Dr. Farivar to proceed with this recommendation for me. All went as planned, and I have a beautiful (almost invisible) scar - even after just 6 weeks! During my recovery at the hospital, he checked in on me often (in person) to ensure all was going well.

Dr. Farivar is very easy to talk to and made me feel like I wasn't just another patient. Even at my one month follow-up appointment, he took the time to answer any outstanding concerns or questions to make sure I would get the most success out of my recovery and back to a normal, healthy life. I would highly recommend him to anyone!"

-- Tammi Gunwall, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, Mini Sternotomy, 01/07/2015

"Dr. Farivar is a fantastic surgeon. He was able to repair my valve instead of having to insert a mechanical valve.

He is professional and outstanding in his practice. I am three years post surgery, living life every day, enjoying my kids, and exercising every day."

-- William Mixon, Mitral Valve, Valve Repair, 06/08/2014