David C. Voellinger Bariatric Surgeon MD,FACS, FASMBS

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!

I met Dr. Voellinger for the first time today (08/20/03) and I was very impressed. He seems like a very nice, caring doctor and is open and friendly. He wanted to know why I want WLS, asked me questions about my health and spent a lot of time explaining the three procedures he does (RNY, DS and LapBand), outlining the advantages and problems with each. His office staff was very nice and I was seen relatively quickly. I look forward to having my surgery with him.

I first heard Dr. Voellinger speak at a meeting in January 2003. I was very impressed with his manner. There were also 2 other doctors there and he took the most time for questions and answers and seemed most concerned. I had my first appointment with him in March 2003. His staff have were very courteous and very helpful. Future patients should be aware that this is a major surgery and not something to be taken lightly. Dr. Voellinger will go over every aspect of the procedure and any complications that can happen. ALSO!! BE PATIENT! This is not something you are going to see the doctor about that is going to happen immediately. I have been to see a doctor, nutritionist or psychologist every month since March. I can't wait to take the next step in my journey!!

Dr. Voellinger was very infomative and very nice. His staff are very help and very concern about your needs.