| Comments From Patients |
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Heidi C.
Indian Head, MD
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I met Dr. Elariny on Wednesday, 19th of November 2008. He is very easy to talk to and answered all my questions. Posted on 11/21/2008 |
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Jean S.
Harpers Ferry, WV
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I am very pleased with Dr. Elariny, his reputation is outstanding. I will comment after my surgery. Posted on 08/04/2008 |
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Jimmy R H.
Falls Church, VA
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The surgeon was fine but I was not impressed with some of his office staff. I disliked having to give him $3200.00 up front to do the surgery since it was approved by my insurance co. His after support group charges $2 K and I opted out of that. I rate him as expensive and money hungry. His surgical competence was fine but I never saw him post-op. These are my personal comments only. Posted on 06/22/2008 |
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Pat M.
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Excellent first impression. Very knowledgable, friendly, extremely competent. I only met him once--the second time will be at time of surgery. Very structured pre-care and post-care. LOTS of pre-op testing (including sleep apnea test, EKG, blood work, bone density, colonoscopy, chest xray, abnominal ultrasound, cardian clearance, etc.) Office staff ok; Alex is very helpful. Posted on 06/11/2008 |
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Marie K.
Springfield, VA
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Honestly, I'm not a million percent impressed with his office so far, but he was recommended to me by my PCP and I trust my PCP so I'm hoping my impression of the office staff will improve as I see Dr. Elariny more often. The first time I went to see him I had to wait over an hour to finally get back in the exam room. I remember he was wearing jeans and that kind of put me off at first as far as professionalism goes, though I understand he's presumably a busy surgeon. On more than one occasion he's also answered his cellphone in the middle of my appointment and while I'm trying to be understanding of his schedule, the environment in his office doesn't seem 100% professional. The waiting time has been long every time I've seen him, but I guess that's just how life is as far as doctors... [Click here for more] offices go. I've debated whether or not I want to possibly look into other centers, but I figure since I've already started seeing him and he does perform the DS surgery I'll stick with him. Despite all of that though, he has been very patient and has been willing to answer any questions I've had for him while at my appointments.
Posted on 05/08/2008 |
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Regina C.
Springfield, VA
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Dr. Elariny and his assistant Dr. Reginald Williams are awesome! Some people say Dr. E has a quirky personality -- it's true but awesome. After all of the pre-op "stuff" it was time to have surgery. As I am walking through the halls headed to get prepped for surgery, Dr. E walks out of a door in his scrubs. He looks at me and asks - "hey, what brings you here?" my response was "getting ready for you to do your magic. He definitely took the edge off my "last mile" as I was headed to get ready for surgery. He came in to do the final prep paperwork -- double-checking on my choice for procedure and then he gave my DH my prescriptions. He also gave DH a copy of all the information I had received previously and told him to read it while I was in surgery. The info included all my post-op... [Click here for more] care instructions, etc. He said he wanted to make sure my family knew what I could and could not do and the expectations. It definitely made DH feel good about him.
One thing I think is wonderful is his encouragement for us to have the surgery saved on DVD. If a surgeon doesnt believe in his expert skills, I know he wouldnt do this!
Dr. Williams -- currently a Fellow -- spoke to my family after the surgery and handled my follow up while I was in the hospital. He is absolutely awesome and very very personable.
The office staff is very busy and can be frustrating if you do not let them know up front you are persistent. Over the last month things have gotten a lot better due to some personnel changes. Alix is fabulous when it comes to working with insurance companies. She got me approved in less than 24 hours with limited issues.
The pre-op testing is lengthy but worthwhile. He gives you the list and referral documentation upfront with a large number of dr's and labs he has used. You are not bound to use any of them, but it gave me a start. His aftercare is very very structured and the support group is awesome - I attended one meeting before surgery.
Dr. Elariny is FABULOUS!
Posted on 04/05/2008 |
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Cheri R.
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He is the absolute BEST!!! He's my sleeve gastrectomy with lap band, and before that a "supposed Hernia repair" which turned out to be something else. I would recommend him to everyone!!! Posted on 02/18/2008 |
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Renee T.
Leesburg, VA
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If you are reading this, I know that you are considering bariatric surgery. Please be aware that you have a SMALL WINDOW of opportunity in which to have this surgery: the time when you are STILL HEALTHY ENOUGH to have it! Please take the time to read my whole lengthy review. I had a BPD-D/S in November 2006. I researched the possibility of bariatric surgery for 7 years prior to actually having it. I actually was scheduled with another doctor (Anez in Fairfax) for an open (not laparoscopic) RNY about 3 years earlier. But I backed out a month or so before surgery. I just didn't feel good about it. And I am SO GLAD that I followed that prompting. (Dr. Anez, like many other bariatric surgeons, does ONE surgery, ONE way - the one most often covered by insurance. I'm told that... [Click here for more] he does THAT surgery well, but I was unimpressed with other aspects of his practice. No matter, I didn't use him.) About that time, I ran into a woman in Leesburg who had had a DS with Dr. Elariny and I began researching the various other types of weight loss surgery - besides the RNY. I attended the REQUIRED group seminar with Dr. Elariny and his staff - THREE TIMES, in fact, over the course of the next 2 years. The detailed information which was provided at that seminar was astounding! I had read much and thought I knew quite a bit about gastric bypass, but I could see that this was not an ordinary practice. Dr. Elariny's philosophy is that patients should have the weight loss surgery that is best for them, the one which will provide sustained weight loss. During the seminar he and his staff walk you through ALL of the potential surgeries with a large packet of informative drawings and literature. During my first session, Dr. Elariny used a chalkboard to describe some things - (he now has it all on a laptop and it is displayed on a large screen). There is a question and answer session - and then Dr. E. asks a few people to volunteer to tell him which surgery they THINK they need and why. One of the questions asked by the potential patients in all three seminars I attended - and a question which YOU should ask of any doctor you are considering - was what their mortality rate is. I was very surprised to learn during the first 2 seminars that Dr. E. had had NO DEATHS. During the third, he told us that he had to claim one death, although he was not the doctor who had performed the woman's surgery originally. She came to him for a revision or a reversal (I don't recall) and I think that they she was less than honest about her medical history... and I think that he did not actually perform the surgery on her...I don't recall the details but she was his patient. Don't quote me. You will hear it yourself in the seminar. In any case, when I had called Dr. Anez's office the year before to ask about his mortality rate - theoffice staff was quite indignant and said that EVERY doctor loses some patients. I know if you are reading this that you DON'T want to hear about the possibility of death but all surgery has risks. And the risk for bariatric surgery overall is about 2%. Even Dr. Elariny will tell you in the seminar that he knows that it is a matter of time and number of surgeries performed before he does lose someone. THAT SAID - he does EVERYTHING in his power to be sure that it does not happen! He requires MANY pre-tests which are not required by others and thus eliminates as many risk factors as possible. (Be aware - WLS is NOT the easy way out - and it DOES require a number of tests which take TIME to plan and perform in ADVANCE of the surgery. So if you are trying to get it all in one insurance year, start in EARLY.) In considering the RISK element of the surgery, I came to realize that I was already risking my life by carrying so much weight on my body. I know that my life would have been shortened by it and the risk of an early death was much greater than the 2%. Moreover, the SURETY of having a MISERABLY unhealthy life - one of pain and suffering - was becoming self-evident. If you read about Dr. Elariny, you will see that he is a brilliant, American-educated, published professional who is always trying to improve the lot of those of us who suffer - as we do - with obesity. It is true, as is mentioned in some other reviews about him, that he is not a 'hand-holder'. He expects you to take SOME responsibility - and with his help, CHOOSE, which surgery will be the best TOOL for YOU to use toward a healthy life. He is not, however, condesending in any way - but rather matter-of-fact. He is also he is kind and understanding . He is a very busy surgeon as he is on the 'cutting edge' in this field and in addition to his practice, family life and surgeries, he contributes his research and findings to the medical world in lectures and papers in order to help us all in the future. He aslo tries to educate insurance companies concerning the newer techniques in order to gain approval for them - which also helps us all down the line. I was impressd that on the morning of my surgery, Dr. Elariny and his colleague came to the side of my gurney and asked me AGAIN if I was SURE that THIS was the surgery that I wanted - and did asked me to tell him WHY! I had the distinct feeling that if I had been unsure, he would have walked away from it even at that point! I found that very comforting - to know that he cared - and also to realize that yes, I KNEW this was right for ME. It was very empowering! I've only seen him briefly since the surgery as his very capable staff does after care. But I cannot say enough good about him. And on the lighter side - I must agree with some of the others who have submitted reviews: He is very handsome! :-)
Posted on 09/08/2007 |
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Super G.
Arlington, VA
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My first impression was that he was young, good-looking and couldn't possibly know what he was doing. Further in, I realized how smart he is and how he knows this thing backwards and forwards.
I wouldn't call Dr. Elariny personable, but he certainly took the time to answer my questions.
I only really talked to him during my consult prior to surgery. I saw him briefly on the day of my surgery and that was it. Some people might be put off by that, but as long as he did a good job (and he did) - I don't really feel the need to see him extensively.
The day after my surgery, another surgeon who'd assisted in my procedure saw me - and I think, all things considered it would have been nice for Dr. Elariny to stop by, it didn't really matter as I liked the other Dr. as well.... [Click here for more] Overall, I'd recommend him to anyone. He has some of the best staff I've ever met!
Posted on 05/19/2007 |
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Sharon G.
Arlington, VA
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05/14/2007:
I am now 4 years post op DS and I continue to follow-up with Dr. Elariny post WLS and for another non-WLS related condition. He is a kind, competent and wonderful surgeon. I have utilized his services for additional (non-bariatric) surgery and have been very satisfied with the outcomes and his care. I would not hesitate to utilize his services in the future should I require the expertise of a general surgeon. I am very pleased with the care I have received and recommend him highly.
Posted 02/23/2003:
Dr. Elariny is highly recommended by his patients. My interactions with him so far have been excellent. He is kind and professional. I had a few medical scares with some of my pre-op work. I emailed him for his advice. He provided it right away. He makes sure... [Click here for more] his patients are well informed about the decision they are making. He emphasizes the importance of vitamins and exercise post operatively. He has a nutritionist in his office to work with you on post-op eating. He holds monthly support groups and many of his patients hold weekly support groups throughout the area. So far, I would have to say Dr. Elariny is a wonderful surgeon. And he has a great smile!
About his office: Dr. Elariny has a practice that is multiplying expotentially. Be prepared to be patient. Things can get a little disorganized and chaotic, but the office staff is very nice and will help you.
Posted on 05/14/2007 |
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