Julie Ellner Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

I have not met with Dr. Ellner one on one yet- that doesn't happen until a few days before surgery, but i did attend a seminar that she led. She seemed very caring. She is with Alvardo Medical Group in San Diego - The only negative thing a have encountered is the waiting time. I went to my first info meeting in january, insurance was approved on July 20th and surgery is not scheduled until November. update - Dr. Ellner was great. She spent alot of time explaining surgery and answering questions. Visited daily in the hosp. (I was in 5 days) she was never rushed and always seemed caring and concerned. I would definetely recommend her!

I really liked her, she listened and I was very comfortable with her. She trained and works with Dr. Clark and Dr. Wittgrove (Carnie Wilson's doctor). Their office staff is very nice - many have had the surgery -so they have been there. There really isn't anything I don't like about her. They do emphasize aftercare - but they donthave meetings in this area - I go to one put on by another doctor. But they do have a newsletter and they have called me to see how I was doing.I mail my blood work results to them. Though I think they could stay in better contact with out-of-town patients.

I had major problems - two days post op I went back in for surgery for a gastric leak
and my small bowel got caught in old scar tissue. Then I developed an infection - I spent over 2 weeks in the hospital (without insurance). I don't know what caused the leak - error, bad luck or what.

They have a questionaire you must answer to see if you read and understand their material that explains the surgery. Then the doctor goes over all the answers with you.

I really loved her bedside manner. Since I was in the hospital for so long and had many procedures she was very understanding and caring. When I had to go to have a tube inserted because of the infection - I was very upset and she went with me and held my hand.

I have only seen and heard Dr. Ellner at the first information seminar I went to.
She seemed genuinely nice and their practice comes highly recommended.

I have not met Dr. Ellner nor the office staff as yet, but have been very pleased with information I have received via telephone which has been provided thoroughly and expeditiously. The office is extremely busy, but someone has always responded to my queries within 24 hours.

2/27/01 - I met Dr Clark at a seminar on 2/14/01 he seemed extremely knowledgable and answered all questions without hesitation, even questions about insurance which I have found most doctors shy away from. He was very up front about saying that the procedure was "a tool not a cure" and that you must be willing to stay with the post-op regime to obtain the optiman results. He fully addressed the possible complications. So far I have only spoken to one person in his office and that lady has been very nice and helpful with all my questions.
4/17/01 - Decieded to have Dr. Ellner do my surgury instead of Dr. Clark. I met her at the same seminar, she was young and vivacious and really seemed to care about her patients and to have an afinity for people with a weight problem even though she herself is slim. I been speaking to Marla in the insurance dept. on a regular basis, she has been very helpful and even though I must have been annoying to her at time with my dumb questions she was very pleasent. I spoke with Susan the schedular today when we set my date, she was also very helpful. My surgury is scheduled for June 22, I am to be in San Diego on the 18th for an appt. with Dr Ellner, then I have classes on Tues & Wed. my bowel prep (ick) on Thursday with surgury on Friday.

I met Dr. Ellner at the seminar I attended on February 2nd. I was very impressed with her knowledge and caring spirit for obese people. I am heading to San Diego on March 21st. Driving down with the first appointment being on the 23rd and my surgery on the 26th. Everyone I have spoken with at Alvarado has said that Dr. Ellner is fantastic and that I had made a great choice.

Dr. Ellner works with Dr.'s Wittgrove and Clark at the Alvarado Weight Loss Clinic in San Diego. She was at the Informational Meeting they had last year. She was speaking along with Dr. Wittgrove and I was very impressed with her. Plus, it helps that her waiting time, after you've been approved for surgery, is only about 2 weeks as opposed to around 2 months for either Wittgrove or Clark. I am currently awaiting insurance approval thru Cigna.