Presbyterian Bariatric Center (COE) Hospital

Imust say Dr.Voellinger is a gentle peron. He made sure he cover all types of bariatric surgery that he offers. He he advised me which would best fit my needs and explained why. I was very impressed wih his patience in answering my millon and one questioon concerning what ifs....I personally look forward to having this performed by him and would refer him to anyone wanting the same surgery. He has a large staff every seemed very polite and was willing to assist.

My Surgery Consult is 2/20/03 with Dr. Melkonian...Dr. Melkonian is a very nice, helpful and informative Doctor. I feel he really listened to how I felt about things, and he put me at ease as soon as we met. We also discussed his past operations and I have confidence in him and look forward to being his patient.

<p align="left">Dr. M. was GREAT. He was upfront regarding possible complicatins as a result of the surgery. He was very professional. I was really impressed with themaner in whiich he discussed all aspects of the surgery. My mon was with me for the consuklt and gave rave reviews to my other family members about Dr. M. The office staff were also professional and warm. I rate Dr. M ands his staff a 10 plus.

My First impression of him was much like the rest of his patients "Man is he BLUNT!" But the bluntness gave me comfort because I know if something happens in the O.R. or my family has questions for him, he isn't going to beat around the bush, he is going to give it to them straight without causing any more stress than need be. The office staff is great, more than willing to help me with my insurance questions and very capable of getting it right the first time.

Aftercare was a huge issue with him, he wanted me to know that the surgery was only giving me a tool and the real work was up to me. He made sure I knew everything that could go wrong without the proper aftercare and followups. THe aftercare program offered there seems a little less structured than others I have researched but, I haven't met with everyone yet so I will have to come back and let everyone know more about that.

He addressed the risks of surgery very bluntly, easily understood, and without any sugarcoating what-so-ever. He gave me a list of websites, television programs, books and other resorces for me to research before moving ahead with the surgery. He advised that I look at both the good and the bad. He didn't pressure me into the surgery and he didn't try to talk me out of it. The decision was up to me and me alone.

I prefer surgical competence of course to bedside manner. This is someone whom I'm placing my life in their hands, small talk isn't my issue on the operating table.

My family doctor referred me to this doctor. He is in the same group as Dr. Rhonda Wachsmuth. He seemed very nice and knowledgeable about the surgery and outlined in detail all of the pros and cons of both the Lap-Band and Gastric Bypass. Dr. Voellinger was very attentive to all of the questions and concerns that both my husband and I had regarding the surgery. The office staff is very helpful. They were also very willing to answer any questions that I forgot to ask the doctor.

Francis (the insurance coordinator at the doctor's office) has been very helpful and understanding. She sounded as pleased to tell me of my approval as I was to hear it!

I had my consultation with Dr. Melkonian today, (Friday 1/10/03). I felt so comfortble. He was very to the point and factual no fluff! Yet, he was very kind. His staff is absolutely WONDERFUL! A pet peeve of mine is to have an appointment at a certain time and you wind up waiting for 30 minutes to an hour before anyone actually sees you. Not so with Dr. M's office, everything went exactly as schedule. I am so impressed!!! He told me about the support group and recommended I attend a meeting as well he referred me to this site, which I have already utilized. Now I pray the insurance process goes equally as smooth.

Dr. M. is very thorough and let's you know what you are going to go through and what the risks are. He does not beat around the bushes about that. So far his staff has been ok, nothing to brag about, but also nothing horrible to say. He has attended all support group meetings that I have been to and since he's not paid to be there I think this shows a lot of how dedicated he is to his patients.

My appointment was Thursday the 20th on June and my first impression of Dr. Melkonian was very good. He is very blunt and to the point. He tells it like it is. He is honest also. I like that in a Dr.

He says I need to find a support group. He also said that one of his patients was going to start one but didn't know when. I was told of one that is held every Saturday in Charlotte at a Luthern Church. As soon as I read my email, I will let everyone know the name of it.

I don't know when my second appointment will be. I have already seen the shrink(sorry can't spell the technical name). I am waiting to see what the insurance company has to say now. Still waiting for the Nutrionist to call me.

Well, that is all that I know to date. When keep you posted as it goes along.

I rate him a 10 also.

I would like to add that I met with Melkonian again for my second time. I still feel the same about him. He was very upfront and took the time to answer my questions. He never made me feel like I needed to hurry. It was like I was his only patient he had that day.
Would rate him above a 10.

dr.melkonian seemed to know what he is doing, he is very straight forward.he took the time to answer all of my questions as well as my husbands. i feel very cumfortable with him doing my surgery.

He appears to be a competent professional surgeon but is not a WLS specialist. He has done around 50, and feels that I am a good canidate for the operation. He never advises people to do the surgery. He only lets people know if they are valid candidate. He has never had a patient die and has only had a couple with serious complications. This is better than the statistics nation wide. He does the laproscopic surgery but qualified to do either. I will update as I recieve information.