Presbyterian Bariatric Center (COE) Hospital

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.

Dr Voellinger was very personal when I meet him for the first time.He took the time to expalain the diffrent types of surgery procedure.He has a great staff.The nurses Billie and Julie are wonderful.Ms.France who has the hardest job in the office(Insurance)is a very patient and wonderful lady.

I was pleased with th caring way that the staff handled my initial call to make my appt with Dr Melkonian. When I arrived, the receptionist was very pleasent and answered all my questions regarding the paperwork.

When I finally met with Dr M he was very professional and thorough in describing the pros and cons of the different types of surgery and explained why he prefers to do only the rny. Dr M also gave some statistics regarding his patients without my even having to ask! He told me that none of his patients have died and that only 2 have had complications following surgery that required additional time in the hospital.

Dr. M emphasized that aftercare was very important and he gave me information about the support group set up by Angie, a former patient.

The only part of my visit that I wasn't happy with is learning that some patients get a packet before the appt so that they can go ahead and have paperwork ready. However since I lucked out (someone else cancelled)I got my appointment 10 days from the day I called, so I guess they thought I wouldn't have time to get everything together.

I would whole heartedly recommend Dr M to anyone seeking RNY.

outstanding surgeon, I would refer anyone to him.
Office staff: very helpful

Dr Voellinger is a very caring doctor,who wants to please his patients. He was very caring at my inital consultaion. I am hopefully looking forward to him doing my surgery, if we ever get the insurance thing straightened out. I have written my 1st appeal letter today. What a frustrating process.
My surgeon has been great along with the office, itself. I have no complaints. Just anxious about the whole appeal process and all.
Well, I met with Dr V on 4/09/03 for my pre-op and he was just as refreshing as ever, I am very pleased with my decision to have him do my surgery. He is very comforting and very compassionate. I am looking forward to seeing his face on Monday when I go to sleep and when I wake up! "New Life", here I come! :)

I met Dr. Voellinger on 4/7 and it was a very quick, somewhat rushed meeting. I waited three hours to see him due to the fact that he was in surgery; this brought home the fact that surgery can sometimes take longer than expected due to unforeseen circumstances, and a surgeon isn't always able to stick to a set schedule. So anyway, our meeting was a quick run-through on the types of wls surgeries he performs, and I was pretty surprised when he informed me that he no longer performs the VBG, which is what I'd done all my pre-consult research on. So I'm thinking, Ok, I have to choose between the RNY and the AGB?? Not a contest! I called his nurse, Billie, the next day and told her I'd decided on the lap AGB. I feel great about this decision, since the AGB is what I initially researched when exploring wls. The great thing about Dr. V. is that he's a seasoned laproscopic surgeon, which makes me very comfortable, and I look forward to him performing a lap AGB once my paperwork is complete!

I found him to be quite personable, also confident, a good combination.




The nurses are polite. Frances the pt. rep. also very nice but obviously a very busy person.I was however notified today,3/27/03, that I have been approved after the first letter!!! Yea!!!!!!

I think I've made a good choice but like anything else this important I think one has to do their research.The aftercare program was emphasized.

This is a major surgery with all the risks of a major surgery. I think he is excellent.
He explained everything to my husband and myself and answered all our questions accordingly.


He appears to be a highly trained surgeon with a very personable bedside manner. This is rare to find. I am very pleased with my choice of Dr.Voellinger.

I have a consultation scheduled for late March with Dr. Melkonian and also with Dr. Voellinger.

3/18 - Met with Dr. V on the 17th - very warm and funny, made me feel immediately comfortable. He gave me details on the various types of surgery (all of which he does laprascopic (sp?)), gave me warnings, etc. I now have a list of doctors visits I need to get in contact with and medical records to have sent to his office. He was writing the letter to my insurance company that day, so I guess we will see how that goes.

Made appt for lab work and chest Xrays and spoke with the psychologist about making an appt for a eval. Dr V's office is setting up an appt with a sleep center and the gasto for the tube down your throat test. Once I get those things all taken care of and approval from insurance then we can get a date for surgery - which he said was 2-3 month wait.