Paul P. Lin Bariatric Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S.

Very professional. He's kinda methodical. I mean, not real personable. He's a general surgeon, not specializing in WLS. I like him, but I wouldn't say (at this point, PRE-op!) that he's real warm. He's VERY professional and very informative. That's all I can say about how he addressed the risks, etc. He was VERY informative. That should be enough said! He seems to be very concerned with after care. He insisits on follow-ups. I had to postpone my surgery date because about a week after my surgery, he was going to be out of town and he said he'd rather postpone than have someone else be there for me if there were to be a problem. I like a doctor who prefers to take care of his/her own patients rather than pawning them off to other doctors.

He told me he could try Lap if I wanted, but it's not something he regularly does. He prefers open because there are generally fewer complications. I wanted to try lap. He agreed with the stipulation that if it's not working as well as he'd like, he'll open me. I had no problem with that. He made it clear that he was not in a numbers game of how many laps he can do like many other surgeons are. He also made it clear that he's not an aggressive RNY surgeon, meaning he attaches higher than many surgeons, meaning slower weight loss, but more nutrition over all. I like that. I'm not in any hurry! I've been overweight for ages as it is!

As for his staff, his surgical coordinator is a bit "cold" but she warms up after a while. Just stick with her.

I prefer surgical competence over bedside manner and he at least has that. I don't know about bedside manner yet.

04/22/02 Well Dr. Lin and his entire staff are nothing less than wonderful. I am very pleased with everyone of them. But as for the general hospital staff and nursing staff they are rude undertrained and I would have to say the the very worst the medical profession has to offer. I am writting a letter to the hospital administration to let them know just how bad. If I ever have another procedure done it will be in a different hospital. 04/14/02 Well there is very little time now before my surgery. I am thankful to everyone who has encouraged me through this website. I feel much better and less nervous now after reading Psalms 91 and praying to God and giving my worries over to him. It is all in God's hands now and He will take care of me and be my Protector. And in the end His will shall be done. 03/28/02 Ok I feel much better about Dr. Lin today after I spoke with Denise Hough and several of Dr. Lin's past patients. Denise was very straight forward in letting me know about the two fatalities that Dr. Lin has had. But he performs this surgery 3-5 times per week and has done so for the last 6-7 years. The student Dr. who answered my question had no right to discuss this issue with me and I wish they would have not answered instead of giving me a wrong answer. Denise is making sure this does not happen in the future. I feel much better. Dr Lin is going to call me tomorrow and speak to me to make sure everything is ok personally. Thanks to all of those of you who responded with information when I emailed you.
03/27/02 I am now seriously considering getting another surgeon and cancelling my appointment with Dr. Lin. I just found out via this websites memorial page that contrary to what I was told in the office Dr. Lin lost a patient last year due to complications from this surgery. Her name was Dee Mitchell and is in no way related to me. OLD STUFF: My first impression was if your not famliar with D.C. this place is hard to find! The directions I was given were invalid because L street was closed the day I went, so of course I got lost. The office people seemed nice but not extremely friendly. I had to watch a video and review a handout regarding the procedure. I was then interviewed and given a physical by one of the student doctors. Dr. Lin came in and discussed the surgery with me and answered my questions regarding the procedure. He makes the risks very clear up front. He found me to be a valid candidate for surgery and allowed me to schedule for April 16th 2002. They informed of meetings and support groups of which I really had no interest in. He explained the aftercare program and what all is expected of me. I would rate him high so far but then again he has not done my surgery yet and that's what really counts. I could careless about bedside manner as long as he is a Top notched surgeon.I was impressed that he attended Harvard and did his residency at Johns Hopkins. He also explained that typically he works with cancer patients more than the morbidly obese folks. There was much miscommunication between my PCP and his office regarding my medical records eventually I changed my PCP and went and got my records and faxed them myself.

MY FIRST IMPRESSION WAS WONDERFUL,PASS AND PRESENT HX

I met Dr. Lin via a community forum through the George Washington University Hospital. My internist recommended the surgery and Dr. Lin. His staff is extremely helpful and professional.

Dr Paul Lin at George Washington University Hospital in Washington DC .He is a Harvard graduate, oncologist specialist in liver and pancease. I was very impressed by him and his success rate.George Washington Hospital has a support group and conseling for after care. I believe surgical competense far out ways bedside manner and he is one of the few doc that does gastric revesions. whick in my case is important.

First appointment with Dr.Lin on February 25th.

Dr. Paul Lin, from George Washington University Hospital, is a very competent and easy to talk to surgeon.He has a very reliable surgical coordinator and scheduling nurse.
Will update after my surgery scheduled for 2-1-02.

I have met with my surgeon (Dr. Paul Lin @ GW University). After watching a video I met with him and a resident. All of my questions were answered and he made sure I understood the risk and what my expectation of weight loss should be. I was told not to expect to be a size five and my impression was he wants the patient to be pleasantly suprised and not disappointed if I didnt turn out to be someone I never was intended to be. I respect him but I pray I will be in the majority and atleast get to my personal goal of a size 12/13. Dr. Lin gave a great first impression and so did his staff.

I liked Dr. Lin at my first visit. The visit started with a video of him explaining the process, risks, benefits, etc. and then he came in to the exam room to see if I had any other questions and to talk about the process. He made sure I understood what I saw and what would be involved and took his time with me. My impression of him hasn't changed. His office staff has been terrific as was the care I received in George Washington University Hospital.
I am still in the initial aftercare stages but so far, so good. I am under the impression though, that it will be very good long term.
I would rate him extremely high overall. His surgical competence is probably higher than his bedside manner, but I have no complaints. I think he's a very busy man and I certainly never felt cheated with the time he spent with me and he always came across as very concerned about me.
I highly recommend Dr. Lin.

I did extensive reseach on surgeons performing this surgery. Dr. Paul P. Lin of the George Washington University Medical Center, turned out to be the kindest, most compassionate surgeon I've ever met. He patiently answered every question I posed and carefully detailed possible complication that may occur so that I was fully informed.

My appreciation of Dr. Lin, has only increased with time.

His office staff, Cathy his secretary, Annetta his surgical coordinator, and the others whose names I do not know, exhibit the same caring and compassion as Dr. Lin.

There is nothing negative about him.

How long one must wait for your first consultation appointment.

He insists on following each patient weekly/bi-weekly/monthly for at least 18 months. Then follow-up is monthly/quarterly.

Yes, see above.

He completely outlines EVERY possible risk, then resures you, based on your particular physical condition, how many of these risks are likely for you.

A+++

Both are excellent!