Southeast Bariatrics, PA Bariatric Center

I attended an information meeting where Dr. Voellinger explained about weight loss surgery. He was very personable and appeared well educated and trained. I was first referred to him by Dr. Hipp and Dr. Woolen. I read about his background and learned that he was well-trained at Mt. Sinai in New York and was an expert in laproscopic surgery.

At my first meeting with him in his office, I was a bit uncomfortable. I think it was because my husband was there with me and because Dr. Voellinger had to tell me all the possible things that could go wrong if I had the surgery. This was not exciting and was rather sobering. I had to go home and think this through.

His nurse Billie has been very helpful.

I have been directed to support groups, nutrition and psych consults, and I believe that the guidance is there for anyone who is serious about getting help.

I have heard from his other patients that he is great. I hope that I will feel that way, too. I am looking forward to our pre-ssurgery meeting so that I can feel more in touch with him as a person (and vice versa) before we meet in the operating room.

Our pre-surgery meeting was awesome. I felt more like a person and less like a number...Dr. V. is really great. He was right there for me in the hospital. I'm so glad I found him.


February 12, 2004

Dearest Dr. Voellinger,

I heard you say on TV today that the surgery gives us our life back. That is such a true statement!!!

I just love you, Dr. Voellinger. You are truly the Valentine of our dreams. My friends and I all love you so much and appreciate what you have done for us.

I recently posted on the bariatric message board that I would put my life in your hands any time. I had to, Dr. Voellinger, because I wasn’t really living before. Now I have the most wonderful friends, I can wear beautiful clothes, and I am truly happy.

I have spent so many years of my life wishing I were dead. Now I want to live! It’s ironic that I have the cancer now, but I’m not going to let that get me. I have so much to live for.

Dr. Eaves is doing a fabulous job of remaking my figure. He is quite an artist, and I can’t wait to show off for you!

I just want you to know how much I love you and appreciate all you have done for me and my friends.

Happy Valentine’s Day, You Sweetheart!

Love,

Jennifer Ross Jantsch

Dr. V is wonderful. He takes time to answer any of your questions and seems to really care about your health and recovery. His nurse Pam is out of this world. Always above and beyond the call of duty. Not only is she a great nurse, but she has also been through surgery as well. The physician's assistant David is also great. He is very helpful and kind. This team is AWESOME...because they truly are a team!

Dr. Voellinger is the best! I felt comfortable with him and his staff the first day I met them. He was very knowledgeable and straight forward but was also so very caring about his patients. In the hospital, he was wonderful. My husband and parents really liked him as well. I would highly recommend Dr. V to anyone thinking of having the surgery in my area.

I had my first consult with Dr Voellinger on June 19,2003. He was such a gentle man in manner of speaking. He didn't make me feel like I was just another patient. He made me feel that I was his only patient. He took me thru the procedures available, told me where he went to school and studied medicine. That made me comfortable. The office staff is awesome. I appreciate their promptness as well. I had my letter to them, got a letter back saying it would be another month and then got a letter within a week and a half telling me of my appointment. I was so extatic. *smiles* Everything will be fine!

April 2003--Dr. Voellinger is a surgeon with both the Charlotte Surgical Group and Presbyterian Center for Bariatrics. He is a very comfortable person to speak with. In very understandable wording, he gave me a lot of important information about WLS, it's risks, procedures, required lifestyle changes, and more. He listened carefully to my questions and answered every one of them without hesitation. The office visit was not rushed; it lasted about an hour. He has a great bed-side manner. I'm looking forward to him performing a Lap Rny surgery on me in a couple months.

December 2003--Dr. Voellinger is an excellent surgeon with a wonderful bedside manner and sincere compassion. His office has a very structure aftercare program and support group for both pre- and post-ops. He is co-director of the brand new Presbyterian Center for Bariatrics. His staff is genuinely helpful and courteous, and most of them have undergone weight loss surgery with very successful results.

My first impression was a good one. At my initial visit I was there longer than I expected to be. However Dr.Voellinger was straight forward and answered all of the questions that I had. Their office is a very busy one. I noticed that when I walked in to the office and sat in the waiting area. Frances Davis the person that deals with the insurance is definitely a veryyy busy person. I would say that my experience with the office has been one that has been somewhat a different experience. I am so thankful that I met the Dr. and went through all of my pre-operative requirements (Sleep Study,EGD,EKG,Nutritional and Psych. Eval.,ect) with the office when I did. Because now he is no longer accepting Medicaid patients for the surgery. Thank god that I was just informed that he will continue with my patient care. I am just waiting for insurance approval.

Dr Voellinger is the BEST. I had my surgery on Oct 16th and was home last night the 18th. and am feeling so good, im still sore but really feeling great other than that. He had told me at my preop visit that i may have to have open instead of lap, but he was able to do the surgery laproscopic, he is my hero.. He is the sweetest man too, the first thing he asked me when he came to see me the day after the surgery was " did you find that truck that ran you over"? He has a great bedside manner, im so glad i chose him for my surgeon .

Dr Voellinger seems to be a very caring and gentle, yet no- nonsense physician. He genuinely cares about his patients, many of whom he says he never realized had such a need. He says he is so pleased to have found such a rewarding way to help so many people. His staff is sensitive and caring, in my opinion. I saw them stay until 6 pm and his nurse stayed with him long after that when I was there. THey were clearly tired but didn't let that affect their attitude one bit. Future patients should realize that this is a busy and popular surgeon - that means a lot of people are trying to see him and want to express all their concerns too. He will take the time to answer all questions, but we expect that for ourselves, we need to allow it for others, too. He provided handouts and wrote extra notes for me about the choices and risks with each. His record of surgical competence is very good, at least as good or better than the national average as far as I can gather, but his bedside manner is very good as well. Rating so far "A"!

I've only met the surgeon once, but he seemed to be very knowledgeable and competent. He was very thorough with his information and took his time to answer my questions.

I first met Dr. Voellinger at an informational session he facilitated in January 2003 along with Dr. Melkonian and Dr. Wachsmuth. Until that time I had planned to have the RNY with Dr. Bauman. At the session I learned that Dr. V. performs the Duodenal Switch laparoscopically. I had been interested in the DS after attending a session with Dr. Gonzales in Winston Salem in July 2002. However, Dr. G. only does the procedure Open. I had my first consultation with Dr. Voellinger on 3/18/03 and my husband and I really liked him. He explained all 3 types of surgery (he does all three) and the advantages and disadvantages of each. He did not try to talk me into any one of them, but rather left the decision to me. As long as my insurance company will approve it, I have decided on the DS. He had excellent training on the DS in NY (Mt. Sinai), but he has only done about 15 of them, and none since he has been in Charlotte (joined Charlotte Surgical Group in July 2002). He has performed many more of the RNYs, but I'm not sure about the number. The after care program is not as good as Dr. Bauman's, but it is being developed and I am confident that it will be top notch in the future. Dr. V. is the only surgeon in NC who does the DS lap. He is easy to talk to, warm, and professional. I am excited that I found him!