Ellner Bariatric at Alvarado Hospital Bariatric Center

I loved Dr Ellner. She was very complete with her preop testing and took so much time to explain the surgery to me.
The program at the Alvarado Surgical Weight loss Clinic is great. It has a strong focus on aftercare and that is what impressed me about it.

This office has been an absolute joy from the initial contact. Follow through has been excellent. I would highly recommend this office. "Saint" Shirley has guided me every step of the way. Every single person I have dealt with at this Corporation has been awesome. I feel very fortunate to have this Medical Group in my own back yard!

Very caring and compassionate.
Have only met with her once so far. Dr. Ellner is with Alvarado Hospital. Her staff
is very helpful and go out of their way to help with paperwork, etc.

I liked her instantly. I usually can size people
up pretty fast and I could tell that she really
cares about her patients.

She was very informative and answered all my
questions in terms (or demostrations) that me
a non medical person could understand.

The Office staff has been extremely helpful,
not only in getting me approved by my insurance
but in the support after surgery. They filled
our my shorttime disability and sent it off to
EDD right away so that I would loose any income.

I feel that Dr. Ellner is both a terrific surgeon
and her bedside manner is very caring.

I had my surgery and it was great! My lap only lasted 1 hour and 15 minutes! She was the most personable person!! SHe really seemed to care and wanted to make sure I knew everything there was to know about the surgery! I would highly recommend her to anyone!!

My first impression of her was great & hasn't changed. In fact, it's even improved. Her office staff is the best I've encountered in any of my medical visits, other than when I used to be thin.
The least I like about her is her office is too far from my home. Her aftercare program is very extensive, but I'll have to go to one closer to my home, though.
She has addressed the risks of surgery extensively, especially since I'm a diabetic. I found the risks a little unnerving; however, am glad she was blunt and honest about them so I would be informed and would understand the extra days in the hospital I may need for possible complications which occur with some diabetics.
I would rate her on a scale of 1-to-10: a 10. I believe surgical competence is of the utmost importance regardless of bedside manner. I happened to get lucky & got the best of both.

8/26/01
<P>Before you read below please let me justlet you know that Alvarado Center for Surgical Weight Control has been the most wonderful group of people I have ever met. They were quick with calls, taking them immediately; Belinda (insurance) quickly processed my insurance approval request; and Dr. Julie Ellner is truly one of my dear friends. I thank everyone there for their quick and timely response to my case.
<P>If you are thinking of coming to San Diego to use Dr. Julie Ellner & Alvarado Hospital please note that they are the #1 group for WLS! (Ok - so I'm partial...LOL)
<P>Good luck in your adventures on WLS! Now on with the show.....Amy K. Suter
<P>
<P>5/24/01
<P>Going to Dr. Wittgroves seminar tomorrow - very excited about it. I have all kinds of things to give them - my application - a letter I wrote to the insurance company for Dr. Wittgrove to send with my authorization packet. I am soooooo ready for this.
<P>I'll keep you posted.
<P>
<P>5/29/01 - Went to visit the Alvarado Hospital Surgical weight loss surgery seminar. It was very intersting - however sometimes a snoozer seeing as though I pretty much knew most of it - but some things were valuable.
<P>My favorite part was when I turned in my paperwork and when asked my insurance carrier Aetna PPO - the insurance ladies said "Oh we don't have trouble with them". Was very reassuring.
<P>The doctor who gave the seminar was Dr. Ellner. She is a pretty, thin, blond lady - but for someone with those characteristics she is sure sensitive and caring. I felt very comfortable with the whole situation. I didn't think that sitting in a room full of people my weight would be a comfortable situation - but it was.
<P>I didn't bring anyone but I knew that my support system would be there.
<P> NEXT STEP - THE WAITING GAME....
<P>
<P>5/30/01 - got a call from Alvarado - they are talking with Aetna PPO for me. Belinda said a nurse will call me. Everything seems to be going well so far... having PPO pays off!
<P> 6/18/01 - Belinda from Alvarado told me that they sent my letter to Aetna!! We'll see what happens!
<P> 6/25/01 - I GOT APPROVED!!! WOOO HOOOO
<P>6/26/01 SURGERY DATE IS AUGUST 31, 2001
<P> Due to filming we have moved up my surgery date and time to August 30th! My surgery and pre/post op period will be documented by ABC/KGTV. So watch for my story to be on the television soon.
<P>
<P>8/14/01 Please visit my website for all the latest http://communities.msn.com/amsterluv
<P>Alvarado Surgical Weight loss is one of the nicest groups of people I know - they have helped me in my financials since I was just laid off - effective September 7th - for insurance purposes they are keeping me "on the books".
<P>8/27/01: I met with Dr. Ellner yesterday. She is incredible. Very caring and suporrtive. I thank God for bringing her into my life. I have to say - I have not had any troubles with Alvarado at all during my entire process. The get a GRADE AAAAAAAAAA!!!!
<P>2 days to go. I'll see you all on the other side!<P>
<P> Please see me webpage for the latest on me http://communities.msn.com/amsterluv

Dr. Ellner is the best! Not only is she a great surgeon, she has this wonderful small town country charm about her. I felt very at ease with her and felt I could ask her anything. I rate her a AAA++++

She is fantastic. Put me at ease right away and was willing to take as much time as necessary to answer all my questions and address any concerns. She saw me again just before surgery, then visited me that night and everyday till discharge. She always took her time and has a look on her face like she loves that she's improving people's lives. The office staff is great. Even though it would often take a day or two to hear from them after I called (pre-op), they would always call back and they took care of everything I needed right down to my Leave of Absence papers for work.

I was also impressed with the post-op program. It's free for life after surgery. They strongly encourage getting involved in a support group or seeing a therapist after surgery to help with all the coping stuff we have to go through. They also made us take a pre-op test of true and false questions to ensure that we knew the risks of the surgery.

I highly recommend Dr. Ellner.

I have been impressed with Dr. Ellner every step of the way. She is kind, professional, and easy to understand. Her staff is wonderful and their entire operation is outstanding. I heartily recommend Alvarado Surgical Associates in San Diego. I feel I got the best surgery with the best people in the world. The only slightly bad side of this office is that the waiting list is significant - 2-3 months to get a surgical appointment cause they are so popular. It's worth the wait.