"I personally found Chris to be distant and unsupportive when I needed help. I also felt that he has a superiority complex and is judemental without taking the time to get know his patients. This may not be true of everyone, but this was the case with me when I asked for help and advice. I had dealt with another psychologist when I did my psychiatric review before my surgery who is affiliated with my group, and I LOVED her and the time that we spent together talking. She has since left the group, and I miss the nurturing that she offered. I might add that this person was a WLS candidate when we met, and that this might have made things easier for me to open up to her."
"I found Dr. Valin through the ASBS website after doing a Google.com search. I called his office and made the appointment for several weeks later. I was disappointed that I had to wait, but when I went to the office and met him, I was very happy. His wife Debbie, works with him in the office and is very friendly and helpful. Cecile, his secretary was warm and friendly as well. They gave me some information to read, and after meeting with Dr. Valin and discussing my thoughts and feelings, I set appointments to meet with the psychologist and nutrionist. I met with them within the first week of my initial appointment with Dr. Valin. My nutritionist gave me a high protein diet to follow and some test sticks to test my urine for ketones. After three days, I went and gave my urine test to a local lab, and waited to hear from Dr. Valin after he received and reviewed the results. That took another few weeks, but when I returned to his office, he told me that I was a great candidate for a laporoscopic Roux-eN-Y bypass, the open by-pass, or the banding. I had already researched them all and had decided on the lap. A tentative date of October 8,2002 was given to me, and as of today, 8/29/02, I am still waiting for a phone call and a reassurance that that IS still my date. I am currently reading everything I can about the surgery, and looking for support from friends and family. Everyone THIN thinks that this is a drastic measure to overcome obesity, but they have never been cursed with walking around inside MY body. To me, this surgery is a miracle that will allow me to live the rest of my life without the prejudices felt my overweight people. I am not ignorant, lazy, stupid, unmotivated, illiterate, jolly, or uneducated. I am fat. This is the answer for me.
I would strongly recommend Dr. Valin to others in the New Haven area if they are thinking about this surgery. The support group that he and Dr. Reinhold have at St. Raphael's in New Haven is incredible. The people that I have met and talked with that work with the Bariatric Surgery Unit at the Hospital of St. Raphael have been helpful in relieving my anxiety. I am looking forward to starting the rest of my life and hope that things go well."
