Pinnacle Surgical Group, PLLC Bariatric Center

05/14/2007:rnI am now 4 years post op DS and I continue to follow-up with Dr. Elariny post WLS and for another non-WLS related condition. He is a kind, competent and wonderful surgeon. I have utilized his services for additional (non-bariatric) surgery and have been very satisfied with the outcomes and his care. I would not hesitate to utilize his services in the future should I require the expertise of a general surgeon. I am very pleased with the care I have received and recommend him highly. rnrnPosted 02/23/2003:rnDr. Elariny is highly recommended by his patients. My interactions with him so far have been excellent. He is kind and professional. I had a few medical scares with some of my pre-op work. I emailed him for his advice. He provided it right away. He makes sure his patients are well informed about the decision they are making. He emphasizes the importance of vitamins and exercise post operatively. He has a nutritionist in his office to work with you on post-op eating. He holds monthly support groups and many of his patients hold weekly support groups throughout the area. So far, I would have to say Dr. Elariny is a wonderful surgeon. And he has a great smile! rnrnAbout his office: Dr. Elariny has a practice that is multiplying expotentially. Be prepared to be patient. Things can get a little disorganized and chaotic, but the office staff is very nice and will help you. rn

I was put to ease with the Dr. Elariny from day 1. I had 2 friends who had previously had surgeries with him and knew that he was the doctor for me. I had my surgery back in 2001 and to this day I am still completely 100 % satified with my results!

01-02-07 I first met Dr. Elariny at his WLS Discussion Group this week. He seemed very sincere. Quiet, but once he got talking however, he knew his stuff! I like that he tells you about each of the surgeries in detail, as well as emphasizing what it takes to maintain that type of post-op lifestyle.

I like Dr. E a lot. He is very positive. I love his office staff. They all have been wonderful so far. I tell you that Alex has a hard job and I would never do what she does, but she is great at it. So far they have been very adamant about taking those vitamins forever. They do have a great aftercare program and monthly meetings. When I asked Dr. E about the risk between RNY and DS, he said the biggest risk is deciding to have WLS, then the risk between the types was very minimal. So, I knew I was having the surgery, now the decision to have DS was easy. I will write more after surgery. rnWell, now almost 4 weeks out from surgery and I have had a lot of question for Carissa and they have been very helpful. I am SOOO impressed with the results of my surgery so far. Incisions look great - very little pain and recovery has been quick.

My First Impression was that I was blown away by the information given to me. I was so impressed by how much he wanted us to make our own decision. After giving us all the information then taking or questions I was really feeling that I had been correct in my choice of coming to see him.rnrnThe thing I like least was what makes him the best. He is busy. Not to busy to make sure you know what you want. Going into surgery he asked me why I was there. What I wanted? He wanted to be sure we knew what we were doing even at the last moment.rnrnThe office was going through changes as I was having my surgery but it did settle down. He moved to Vienna got some wonderful chairs. rnrnThe after care program was awesome for me because it not only extended to the office visits but the support group led by his office monthly are great and the support groups that are held by his patients at other times are what I contribute to my success.rnrnIf you are considering doing this I recommend you go to Dr. Elariny. My life has been changed. I have read some not so favoring things about him in the past, but I am one patient that feels blessed to have had met him. My friend had him first and recommended him to me. I am telling you if you are considering this surgery at all, Dr. E is your man. I would not put my life in anyone else's hands for this surgery.rnrnThe only negative thing I can say is that the office is sometimes slow but with everyone getting attention that they need you cannot expect perfection.

Dr. Elariny has an outstanding reputation, so my expectations were pretty high going into the first meeting (a new patient discussion group). He more than exceeded my expectations at that meeting and during my pre-op consultation. We've all heard of so-called great doctors, but Dr. Elariny is a step above the rest. His qualifications are second to none. I have read most of the reviews on this site for Dr. Elariny, so I will not repeat what others have said over and over again.rnBut I will tell you the main reasons I selected Dr. Elariny for my surgery. First, because he is considered the best bariatric surgeon in the part of the country where I live. Second, he offers a comprehensive program. Patients are required to attend informational discussion groups, meet with the dietician and Physician's Assistant, THEN meet with Dr. Elariny one-on-one to discuss their surgery selection. There is also a follow up program post-surgery including monthly support group meetings. I think this is critical for successful weight loss and maintenance. Third, his staff is top notch. They are professional, helpful, and extremely thorough. Patients get plenty of individual attention. I felt like I mattered. I should also mention that Dr. Chan, who has recently joined the practice is also a very competent surgeon and really nice and easy to talk to. The only possible negative factor I would mention is that I did not get to see Dr. Elariny immediately before or after surgery. I have read other patient reviews mentioning this same issue. Because I felt so comfortable with him already, this did not really bother me. Dr. Chan did come in to see me, and the nurse made it clear I could wait to see Dr. Elariny if I wanted, but that it might delay the surgery preparations. I didn't feel it necessary just to say \"hi.\" I was ready to get on with things! My husband did talk to him after the surgery, and felt 100% comfortable with the \"Post Op\" briefing.rnrnI would recommend Dr. Elariny without hesitation to anyone. rn

After several months of research, I knew I wanted the BPD/DS, and there were no surgeons in my area who offered it. So, I set about finding a surgeon who: 1) was experienced with the DS; 2) was skilled and comfortable with a lap approach; 3) had great surgical stats; 4) had an excellent reputation with patients and other doctors; and 5) offered a reasonably priced package for self-pay patients. With Dr. Elariny, I found all of that and more. I couldn't be happier with my choice.<br><br>rnDr. Elariny's patients have a great online support group (and in-person groups too). Anyone who is considering having WLS with him is encouraged to join, post, and ask questions: <a href=\"http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DS_Elariny/\">http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DS_Elariny/</a>

'Dr. Elariny was extremely informative

Dr. Elariny was a wonderful bariatric surgeon. However, after surgery I never saw him again. He came in right before I was wheeled into the operating room but after care was handled by others in his office. I was a bit shocked that he never even came by and spoke to me afterwards. I would therefore say his surgical competence (which is most important) is superior to his non-existant bed-side manner.

He does have an A+ pre-op information program and makes sure the patient understands exactly what they are facing and very helpful in deciding on which WLS to have performed.

His office stff is most helpful and informed. I always got answers to my questions and help with my problems.

I would recommend him to anyone seeking bariatric surgery as long as they are aware they will not see him after their procedure.

Dr. Elariny's manner is one of perfection of skill in his hands and compassion in his heart. I had talked to three other surgeons before I found out about him. And none of the three cared enough about what they were doing to make sure folks had actually done thought provoking research on, not only WLS but, their lifestyle in general.
At Dr. Elariny’s informational seminar he goes through the list of surgeries, the risks of each one as well as the expected outcomes. Dr. Elariny does more than one type of surgery more than one way. This allows the patient to choose and it gives Dr. Elariny options in procedures that is in the best interest of the patient. If that isn’t enough information for you then you will also hear information about eating habits, insurance and plastic surgery. The seminar may be long but I came away with so much usable information. And I was able to see Dr. Elariny in action. His knowledge and skill hit you right away. His sense of humor does as well and the fact that he can so easily smile and laugh makes him more human and trustworthy to me.
Dr. Elariny is adamant about his patients knowing why they make the decisions they do. From the beginning he lets you know exactly what he expects from you. Before care and aftercare are structured. His program is structured to the point of --- if you do what the program and Dr. Elariny call for--you can’t screw this up.
Dr. Elariny is a perfectionist and leaves nothing to chance. There are no surprises for him on surgery day. If a patient has a problem believe me he is going to know it. And I, for one, was comforted by that. I liked knowing that he would question every realm of my health before we met in the operating oom. Testing, testing and more testing is the bottom line.
I have heard complaints about him being late for appointments and such. You know something? I will wait however long I need to wait because I know he is giving someone else the time and attention the same way he did for me. His old office was small and made for some real cozy waiting. There were so many patients there sometimes it was like a reunion. I have met some really great people that way. We have swapped recipes and stories, the wait kind of took on a life of its own.
His new office is larger and can accommodate more folks. I love his staff. They share the compassion for people that Dr. Elariny does. His staff goes the extra mile if needed to make things as smooth as possible for patients. The staff is always glad to see you when you come in.
Dr. Chan compliments Dr. Elariny so well. Both of those two are dynamic and at the top of their field. I can speak from experience that they will see to the care of a patient through to the end. I have tested their skills in many areas and never have they let me down. Not once did Dr. Elariny or Dr. Chan look at me as a bother. They took my health issues seriously and I am sure on more than one occasion I tried their patience- but they still treated me with compassion and seen that I had the best of care.
My first impression of Dr. Elariny and his staff has never faltered. I loved them in the beginning and I love them now. I only wish there where doctors in other fields of medicine as good as Elariny and Chan. Life would certainly be simpler.
There are some skeptics who say no one is perfect and that is true. But, for me I was not looking for hand holding. I was looking for knowledge and skill mixed with compassion. That is what I found with Dr. Elariny.
It has been jokingly tossed around that Dr. Elariny has followers much like rock stars have groupies. Well, I could think of worse things to be. And I and most of the folks I know are definitely proud to be called his groupies.
We put our faith and trust in his hands and he delivered us safely to a healthier life.
If I was just starting out on this amazing journey I would most definitely run- not walk- to his seminar and get a front row seat.
Of course, all of the above are my own opinions. And the old saying that you can't please everyone goes for surgeons to. I just happen to be one of the many pleased ones.