Presbyterian Bariatric Center (COE) Hospital

I am 15 years post op from RNY Gastric Bypass at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte NC.
My pre op weight was 262. My highest weight was 300. At 15 years post op, i am 150 pounds at 5’6 inches with a BMI of 24.5.
Dr Voellinger always had the prettiest eyes. It was my soothing factor in the OR (over his OR mask), as he asked me if i was ready..... my words, “let’s get this party started”!
I am grateful for this man and all he did for me!
I would love to share my story at 15+ years post op, and still a “success story”!
Dr Voellinger was the BEST DOCTOR! I’ll forever be grateful for him!

I had my consultation with Dr. Lowe on Friday. He is awesome he asnwered all of my questions and told me the risk and what I would have to do in order for wls to work for me. Im so glad to start my journey and cant wait to get my approval for surgery.

Thank you, Dr Lowe you gave my a new life you give me a new life 2005 wight was 240 and now 2017 I weight is 123. Thank you so much. Linda Mashaw

Dr. Melkonian performed my RNY surgery roughly 4 years ago. I connected with him during my visit to Carolina Surgical in Charlotte, NC. I am very happy with my results. He is a great surgeon and Carolina Surgical is a great treatment center. I was referred to them by my general doctor.

My husband used Dr. Melkonian in 2012 and was impressed with his knowledge, clear definition of various procedures and their benefits in the short and long term. We had gone together to the seminar and were the only two there that particular time and he answered countless questions without ever looking at his watch or acting like our time was up. He had gone in wanting a lap band and ended up choosing a gastric bypass because it was the right choice for him. 8 months later, he could not be happier!

Dr. Melkonian is not that chatty, crack you up, class clown of a doctor. Dr. Melkonian is very direct, but he will answer any question you have without judging or talking down to you. My husband felt very well informed going into surgery and so did I. We each felt that he was very upfront with us about how surgery went for the other immediately after and came the next day to see the patient and confirm all was well. The 'after' was clearly explained. Neither of us had a 'what is this' experience afterwards.

His bedside manner is very direct and he makes sure you are not in pain, but he is not going to sit there and chat it up with you after your surgery. I was put off by his lack of 'chat' when I first met him with my husband, but I'd rather have a direct and thorough surgeon than a goofy entertainer with a scalpel. I wasn't there to be entertained, but to be informed and operated on by someone who really knows his stuff and I got that!!

The nutritionist in his office, Victoria, is AMAZING and talented at getting to know you and really helping you develop a working plan for life. This is not a diet, it is a true lifestyle change and my husband and I are VERY different eaters, but she came up with plans that fulfill the needs (hydration, protein, eating on the go) for each of us that address the differences in our palates. I will see her for the duration of my one year package even though it is an hour each way for me to get to either of his offices.

Madeleine in the insurance area of the practice really knows the different companies well and is very upfront about the typical practices and makes sure the plan laid out will meet the requirements of the insurer.

He has offices in both Matthews and just outside of Uptown on Randolph. No wi-fi in Matthews if you can believe it! Don't plan to work there before your appt if you arrive early!

Dr. V had been excellent on preparing me for my revision. When I first started my journey with him I felt like he is going to do his best in getting me back on track and he has. I would recommend him to anyone that wants to have wls or a revision

Dr. Voellinger is a WONDERFUL man. I love him dearly and I owe him my life! He is super encouraging and always takes the time to listen to your concerns and give you true and honest feedback. GOD FORBID he is EVER on time, but he makes up for it with his attention. The office has changed recently because it was bought by Novant. Due to these changes, alot of people are not as happy as they were before, but I think that the purchase has a ton to do with the economy, just like everything else. I have got a lapband and he has dealt with EVERY issue I have ever had, including massive reflux, a flip-flopping port and weird hiccups that turned out to be a hernia....

Really good dr , he did my husband bob too

Great dr :)

I would be doing this man a grave injustice if I didn't give him rave reviews! He listens to you as a patient (at our first consult he mentioned the RNY, but I wanted the DS and told him why, and he agreed that I had done my homework and knew what I wanted.)

He never acts rushed during your visits, he gives you his undivided attention, and his staff is awesome. They were courteous, knowledgeable, and got back to me promptly if I left a message.

The morning of surgery, he came out and spoke to me while they were starting an IV, and went out and spoke to my husband after surgery to let him know how everything went (surgery only took 2.5-3 hours).

When I developed issues 2 days after surgery (right before he was going to release me), he came to the hospital at 4am to personally find out what was going on. (I couldn't walk...literally. It turned out to be an electrolyte imbalance).

He is a great surgeon, and I would highly recommend him to anyone in the area.