Elmer Valin Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

I had my surgery 2-22-02. Dr. Valin is such a nice person. He came to see me everyday in the hospital and made my family feel really comfortable. I only saw him 10 days after surgery for the removal of the drain and staples. My followup was with his physician assistant who is also really nice. He is such a busy man how does he do it? I would definately recommend him to anyone who is interested in wls.

I liked Dr. Valin....he really seems to know his stuff. I felt very confident with him from the beginning....I suppose a lot of that is because I have heard and read nothing but good things about him.

I was surprised when Dr. Valin told me that I was a candidate for a combination gastric bypass and panniculectomy. At my second appointment, he answered all my questions about how the procedure was done and let me know what to expect with regard to recovery time, drainage tubes, etc.

Dr. Valin's staff is awesome. The dietician, Liz, is so cool and extremely responsive. I liked the LCSW, Chris, as well. Cecile really is the key to much of the success in the office....she has so many things to keep organized, and I have absolutely no complaints so far! And thanks to Dr. Valin's wife Debby, who is helping in the office...she's been so responsive too. And they all have been very understanding, even though my impatience and excitement about the surgery can make me a pain in their butts!

Well, Dr. Valin is something special. He could be a little more personable. He is very serious and maybe that shows he takes his job seriously. I have met with him 3 times. I trust him. I hope everything goes well.

My firt impression of Dr. Valin was that he is a straight to the point kind of person and I like that. I have come to find over time that his patients feel he is a very talented and gifted surgeon and I have no doubt that I will feel the same way when all is said and done. The office staff was very helpful and answered all of my questions to the best of their ability. I was very pleased with my experience over all.

my first impression was he was very straight to the point. He believes this is the only way to loose weight and keep it off. Which i thought was a little funny. He asked my relationship with food. He asked me what i knew about the surgery,which i had done some research. My second meeting with him was much better, he was happy that i had alot of questions and he took the time to answer them. We even a few laughs. The only advice for anyone would to be patient, because you will have to wait. I asked about aftercare and he said that we would be connected for life just like a transplant patient, which i found to be a great answer.
He explained the risks of surgery and seemed to have a answer for most of them. I don't feel i should rate him just yet since i haven't had my surgery, but I do like him, respect him and feel comfortable with him. I believe that surgical competence is better that any bedside manner.

WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE CONSULT TODAY 2-11-02
DR WAS IN O.R SO IT GOT RESCH UNTIL 3-22-03
BUMMER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MAYBE THEY WILL GET A CANCELLATION OR SOMETHING

I have my first appt scheduled for
9/24/01. Let you guys know how it is going.I visited Dr. Valin today 9/24/01.He was very nice and his secretary was real nice also he explain everything to me.He told me what I would have to do before and after surgery .I would rate him a 9. His office could be in a better place and a little nicer. I had my appt with the nutritionist,and with the
pyschologist. they both gave me the ok. I did my diet and I am waiting 2 call my docter tommorrow 2 see if the test was fine.Then hopefully I can get insurance approval. I called dr office today my ketone test was fine.I am now scheduled 2 have my
2nd appt with Dr Valin on 1/24/02. I hope everything goes alright. The Dr's office has moved I hope it is nicer.1/24/02 It is in a nicer building! It looks alot better. I ve got a surgery date also 2/05/02. I can't wait we decided to go with open instead of lap because of religious reasons I cant take blood.He said it is a lesser chance of needing blood transfusion, he can take my blood and recyle it in the same room,if necessary so thats cool. well my surgery got put off till 2/12/02 . I had my endoscopy yesterday it was like i fell asleep and it was done. im disappointed about the date change though but a week isnt bad. I GOT APPROVAL FROM INSURANCE!!!!!!!!! That was a big relief.

A very close friend of mine had surgery done on 12/18/01 by Dr. Valin. She took me to his office in Oct. for my first consultation. She and I both found him to be very very nice. He is very knowledgable and accessable. His old office was the pits, but now he is in a new, lovely office right at St. Raphals Hospital in New Haven, CT. My friend had the LGB and is doing marvelous. I chose the Lap-Band (Adjustable Gastric Banding System) Procedure and am very happy with my choice. The FDA just approved this procedure in June of 2001 and the day before my initial visit with Dr. Valin, he had performed his first surgery using this procedure. I was just in the right place at the right time!! I would rate Dr. Valin excellent in both surgical competence and bedside manner.

Well, I met Dr. Valin on 12/19/01. My appointment was for 5:15; I never got into to see him until 6:20. Someone came in with a deep crouping cough and she was in such pain. He never thought twice about taking her first. I felt so bad for her; she had just had the surgery and every time she coughed it practically killed her. I didn’t mind waiting at all.

Dr Valin finally brought my husband Scott and I into his office. He said that I am probably not a candidate for the RNY bypass procedure because by government standards, I am not heavy enough by 10 lbs. Do have any idea how odd I felt, not being able to see my feet, and being told “you’re not heavy enough”?
BUT Dr Valin stated that I am a candidate for the Lap Band procedure. We talked about all the steps I need to take for this. He answered all of our questions and concerns. He was very patient even though you could tell this poor man at 7:00 he was exhausted.

I really liked Dr. Valin from the start. While other doctors told me I would have to wait at least two months to begin the process with Dr. Valin I had my first appointment within two weeks. His assistance Cecile is very organized and coordianated all of my pre-op exams.

He and his associates the nutritionist and pyscologist are very explicit when the explains the pros and cons of this surgery.

Over all I was very happy with my decision his surgical competence is great and he even tries to cajole you along when your not feeling your best.

The one thing I was not happy with was that on one or two occasions my appointment were cancelled or delayed because the doctor had been called into emergency surgeries. He is working to correct this by stream lining his practice and joining another well known weight loss surgeon.