Elmer Valin Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

i liked dr valin right away. he explained things clearly and answered any questions i had. his office staff were friendly and thorough.

Dr Valin came highly recommended by my cardiologist. It took a long time to get an appoiontment, but once that is accomplished, things move quickly. I liked DR valin immediatly, and still do. His ofice staff is very nice and helpful as far as questions.

At my first meeting with the Dr, he was very thourough in his explanation of the surgery and it's benefits and risks. He also reviewed all this information at our second meeting.

He reccomends the support group at St. Raphaels hosp, which I find very helpful. I also see a private therapist, with the 2 plus my family and friends, I fell I have a good support system in place.

Dr. Valins office is very busy, but my phone calls/questions have been answered in a timely fashion.

I first saw Dr. Valin at a monthly support group at St. Raphael's Hospital. He presented as being professional and competent. My first impression has not changed. Dr. Valin's office staff has always been courteous and helpful. Debbie in particular is a sweetie. I guess my only concern was as a pre-op patient, I was anxious and eager to get information about my pre-op test dates, surgery date, insurance approval, etc. and the office has a protocol that they have to go by which takes time. Sometimes I felt like I was not getting the information I wanted quickly enough, but it is just one of those times that you have to be patient, as difficult as that is. I feel that Dr. Valin was clear in regard to what he expected from me after the surgery and in his explanation that the surgery was only a tool and that I would have to change my lifestyle completely in order to get the results I desired. The risks of surgery were also explained to me and my decision to go ahead with the proceedure was not made hastily. I researched bariatric surgery and my various choices and I interviewed three doctors prior to making my decision to have the laproscopic Roux-En-Y proceedure. I would rate Dr. Valin as an excellent and very caring surgeon overall. I feel that he is very competent, which is why I chose his practice over the other two doctors' I spoke with. Dr. Valin's bedside manner is quiet and caring but he also has a dry sense of humor that puts me at ease. The only negative aspect of my surgery experiece was that my stay in the hospital was horrible. Thank goodness I had really wonderful nurses for my first night and my last day in there. The majority of the nurses who were supposed to care for me were not friendly, kind, or attentive. My second night in the hospital was New Year's Eve and the nurses were having a party and we (myself and my roommate) were lucky to get them to respond to the call button in a half-hour to forty-five minutes, which believe me, is a lifetime when you need help to get to the bathroom or your drain is leaking and soaking your bed linens! It is difficult to feel so vunerable and have those who are in charge of caring for you be so unfeeling! I can't tell you how very relieved I felt when Dr. Valin said that I could go home a day early. Please remember that this was my experience and my opinon. I have talked with several people who have been in the same hospital on the same floor and their experience was not so negative. For me, if I have to go to the hospital again in the future, I will absolutely hire a private nurse to care for me while i'm there.

My first impression of Dr. Valin is that he is very professional and concerned with his patients. The office staff is just as professional and concerned with their patients also. You must have patience when dealing with Dr. Valin, his waiting list is long but I am sure that is because he came highly recommended by my personal physician.

Dr. Valin is a wonderful doctor. I wouldn't change anything.

Dr. Up front and personal. Nice and sincere
It hasn't
wonderful
Need more access, not open enough
You must follow everything and be committed.
a lot
not sure haven't got that far yet
Honestly
9
both

I have known Dr. Valin since he was an intern at HSR. Even back then you could see that he is a caring man and listens to his patients. His relationship with the hospital staff is excellent. Everything I have heard about his program is good and being part of it has made me feel that I am not alone and that I have finally found a solution that will really help me. Everyone at his office is very helpful, and I am grateful that they have set up a web site so I can read about other people as they go through this process. My insurance company gave no problem, I hear most are giving approval. The dietitian and social worker were both helpful and informative. I look foreward to going to support group after my surgery because I would like to meet some of the people I have read about. Another thing that has surprised me is, I have now become someone who other people are watching because they would like to have the surgery too. I have never been a role model in my whole life.

I just wanted to say that with all the complications that I had, Dr. Valin was always around. I felt very well looked after and don't have anything negative to say about him.

Tina Tardif

I found Dr Valin, pleasent, but to the point.
He remained that way through and after surgery.
I felt it was my responsibilty to find aftercare, support groups, dietican, counseling(I do not have these in place).
He provided a service.
His office staff is friendly, but difficut to get at times. Answering service is always available.
He gave bare aftercare instructions. A pamplet was given to me at the hospital.

Dr Valin presented as a typical surgeon.
I have taken the responsibilty for aftercare.

I wish he had a group in one office. A dietican, therapist or whatever. That would have been great.

I choose him for his reputation as a good surgeon. Thats what I wanted. Thats what what I got.

Since I have started my journey, I have not regreted for one second the choice I made in having Dr. Valin as my surgeon for this procedure.Even though my surgery is not until November he and his staff have made my transition to this point a very careful and informative process. This decision is not an easy one and Dr. Valin as well as his staff made sure that I was informed of all aspects of the surgery as well as aftercare and risks. I would recommend him to anyone who might be considering this surgery.