Kathy A C.
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Elmer Valin
"After going to the obesityhelp.com site looking for CT doctor info, I e-mailed/phoned several Post-OP patients and decided on Dr. Valin. I phoned in Nov. for an appointment (they gave me 02/04/02). I think the office gets so many calls & now has so many new patients, they are overwhelmed. They are so nice in there, I feel more sorry for them than angry, but patients really do suffer because of it. Some of my paperwork didn't get faxed in after an appointment and has delayed me in this process almost 3 weeks. I hope they can expand in the office to accommodate the flood of patients coming in. Dr. Valin was very serious. Fit the profile. Professional all the way. Looked at me with question as I stepped on the scale..."you are light" he said as he checked my low BMI in his insurance booklet...he asked me to explain what I knew about the surgery (Lap RNY), discussed my other health problems, then accepted me as a "candidate" for the surgery. He gave me a folder full of info, including surgery descriptions, eating plans (pre and post-op) and a list of things like other consultations, and a special diet that was required before he would see me again or discuss a date for surgery. Dr. Valin was pleasant and detailed...really knew his stuff. I expressed fears of surgery dangers, especially of seals leaking and he assured me he does 3 different things to prevent it. He answered my long list of questions as he examined my stomach. There I was, trying to have an intelligent conversation with my pants pulled down! I feel very confident he is a good surgeon. I will put my life in his hands. Trusting your surgeon is so important. Mar.15,2002... Had my 2nd appointment with Dr. Valin. Much more relaxed! We went over my medical records, procedures and post-OP stuff. He looked at vitamin and calcium suppliments I'd brought in and I signed the paperwork. He wants a few things faxed from my PCP before they submit my info to insurance. He gave me a surgery date. MAY 3, 2002 ... Mar.28,2002...Debby faxed all my info to insurance today...now the waiting game begins...fingers crossed for approval. Apr.9,2002..Final APPROVAL was given over this week and now just the pre-op tests left to do and I'm ready for the BIG DAY! :0) Yippeeeeeeeeeee! Apr.24,2002...PRE-OPS Day! Started at 8:45am and ended around 3pm! Had Abdominal Ultrasound, 9 Viles of Blood Taken, EKG, Chest X-Ray, Chatted with the Anesthesia person, and Dr. Valin did a type of endoscopic exam...he took a tiny camera on a tube and went down my throat with it (after putting me to sleep first of course!lol) and checked out my esaphagus, stomach and small bowel. Wow is this guy thorough! So glad I chose him as my surgeon! Felt fine when I woke up in another room later on...wasn't sure what happened...didn't feel a thing! YESSS. :0) Hope the surgery goes this well! May 3,2002...Surgery went well! Could not have asked for a better, more thorough doctor than Dr. Valin. He cares, he's on the ball and he is detailed. I felt so safe in his hands. Thanks Doc! :0) Now a postie! May13,2002...Had staples removed today and have lost 20 lbs since the surgery! Wow I feel Great too! MY ONLY COMPLAINT ABOUT DR. VALIN is that it is easier to get a sitting with the Pope than to get to see him! I wanted to ask all about my surgery and what happened, how much intestine was bypassed and if he saw anything I should be aware of...but his wife is the one I saw for the staple-removal and she had NO info for me on the surgery AT ALL. He really needs to talk to his patients MORE. I realise he is a busy and important person, but patients deserve a little time for consultation post op. It is a scary phase being a newbie postie and my fears would have been better channeled if I could have spoken to the Dr. on my first post op visit. My post-op visit happened on my 3rd month anniversary and the doctor wanted to know my eating habits and attitudes. He answered some embarrassing questions and gave me a sheet to get complete bloodwork done so he could check all my mineral and vitamin levels. He seemed to think I was in good shape, but cautioned me about my not eating enough protein and drinking enough water. He was very thorough and it was great to speak with him. He will never know how grateful I am for the good job he did on my surgery. feel blessed and would recommend him to anyone interested in getting this surgery done. Thank you Dr. Valin! You gave me my life back again! xox :0) "

Elizabeth Baxley
"Elizabeth was very helpful and listened to my own personal eating issues and history to help me shape a good post-op eating plan. She is really caring and friendly. Perfect for a job like this!"
About Me
Marlborough, MA
Location
40.7
BMI
RNY
Surgery
05/03/2002
Surgery Date
Dec 29, 2001
Member Since
Before & After
rollover to see after photo
Feb. 2002
237 lbslbs
May 2003
128 lbslbs
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