Weight Loss and Surgery Center Bariatric Center

Scheduled my appointment. Staff seems very friendly so far. Very responsive to my questions.

Dr. Lin is in my opinion - a great surgeon, he was
there for me when I was readmitted for blood clots and
mastitis in my right breast. I was one sick lady for
awhile. I personally did not think that I was going
to survive the hospital stays. His aftercare program is
great. Dr. Lin has to keep reminding me that I have a
slower metabolism than others and to be patient with my
weight loss. It will happen.

I am 7 months down now and I have to see him
every two months now.

He has been very helpful and was his staff.
He went over the risks quite frankly and answered
my daughter's questions as well.
I would recommend him to other patients.

He is a very concerned individual and will help you
any way possible to make your transition to the
other side and comfortable as possible.

He won't do LAP RNY because the many
complications that are associated with the
surgery.

I am going in for a revision distal bypass on
Jan 19, 2001. Need all of your prayers and luck.
Did not lose the weight that he wanted in a years
time. I am very concerned.

Originally I was listed as having Dr. Marcus, but fortunately for me I was introduced to Dr. Afram. My first meeting with "Dr. A" was in a group setting. He was very informational. I was definately impressed. He had everyone in his office that would be involved with you during your surgery (hisself, the person that schedules the appointments, the nutritionist, the psychiatrist and the person that sews you up after surgery. I really appreciated being able to hear from each of these individuals. (No offense to Dr. Marcus, but his support group meeting left me with ill feelings -- totally unorganized. After the consultation meeting with Dr. A, I scheduled a one on one with him which was also impressive. Unfortunately, I have to switch insurance companies since Dr. A doesn't take GW (and might I add that they don't normally cover the procedure), but the change in insurance companies is worth it. I have been also been attending bi-weekly meetings in Dr. A's office so that I can get use to making the meetings a habit. I don't have one negative thing to say about Dr. A or his office. They all are wonderful. I'll update once I have surgery, but I can't imagine my feeling for Dr. A and his staff changing.

This guy is great! explains everything in detail
holds nothing back.


His staff is very helpful, everyone is located hin
his office, no need to run all over town. His staff
is on the ball, they do everything all you have to
do is wait, Velma is wonderful and really know her
stuff.


Just attend one of his seminars, the rest is history.

Stresses how important

Yes, again stresses the importance.

Explain each risk in detail.

So, far superior.

Both

I HAVE ONLY SEEN DR LIN TWICE. HE WAS VERY PROFESSIONAL AND EXPLAINED EVERYTHING TO ME IN DETAIL. HE ALSO GAVE ME ALOT OF WRITTEN INFORMATION INCLUDING POST OP DIET TO TAKE HOME AND READ BEFORE I MADE MY DECISION TO HAVE THIS SURGERY. ON THE SECOND VISIT HE EXPLAINED THE POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS AND ASKED IF I HAD ANY MORE QUESTIONS.

DR.PAUL LIN. HE IS A VERY SERIOUS SURGEON. WHEN YOU MEET WITH HIM, HE DOES EYE TO EYE CONTACT. HE MAKES SURE YOU UNDERSTAND ALL THE PROS AND CONS OF THE SURGERY. HE SAID HE WILL STAY IN THE ROOM UNTIL YOU ARE SATIFIED THAT ALL YOUR QUESITONS ARE ASKED. AND HE DID. THEY TALK VERY HIGHLY OF HIM AT THE HOSPITAL. ON THE FIRST APPOINTMENT HE GAVE ME 8 PAGE INSTRUCTION SHEETS ON WHAT TO EXPECT BEFORE AND AFTER THE SURGERY. INCLUDING THE DIET. THE STAFF WAS VERY NICE. SO FAR I LIKE EVERYTHING ABOUT HIM.

Dr. A appears very knowlegeable about the surgery and it's effects on the body, warns you about the drastic change in your eating habits and will answer all questions as thoroughly as you need. He will make himself available for appts and seems to really care about his patients.

I haven't had my surgery yet, so my "over time" impression has yet to be formed.

The staff is friendly and helpful and careful not to give any advice, but to refer you to the dr. None of the paperwork for insurance is done in his office - it's actually done by a subcontractor in California, of all places, considering we're in Wash, DC.

Everyone in the office is a skinny-mini, no whose had the surgery or a weight problem in general works for him at this time (April 2000 thru Aug. 2000, that's my timeframe knowing Dr. A.)

So far I give him a B.

Ask him questions.

First Impression - Pleasant, professional.
Impression did not change over time.
Office staff friendly and helpful.
Negative - Very busy, spends little time with his patients.
Emphasizes the importance of aftercare but has no structured program.
He did address the risks of surgery.
Overall I would rate him very good.
Surgical competence and bedside manner were both very good.

My first impression of Dr. Afram was good. He seemed a little cool intially. But he was very sweet on the morning of my surgery. He even held my hand until they put me to sleep. I believe he really cares about his patients. I feel very comfortable with him now.
Dr. Afram also holds monthly seminars and goes over the risks and benefits of the RNY surgery.
Dr. Afram emphazes the importance of after care. I think we see him monthly for the first six months and then every three months for the next year. We are strongly encouraged to go to weekly group meetings for the first six months. In addition there is an e-group on-line. The on-line group is very supportive. The group meetings are good. A psycholgist and dietian are they to help with any problems. We do have pre-op patients attending the group and are asked to answer their questions.
In my area of No. Virginia, I think that Dr. Afram has the most comprehensive program availabe. He even has a service which helps with insurance approval. Overall I would give him a 98%. I recommend him highly.

My first impression of Dr. Afram was that
he was mainly business. Not a social butterfly type of surgeon. He is willing to
answer all the questions that you may have.
His office staff so far have been extremely
friendly and supportive.
The thing that I liked least about him was
that he was somewhat impersonal.
Patients should know that he has done alot of these procedures and that he is very knowledgeable.
He emphasizes aftercare heavily, the surgery
is part of a total program that includes
therapy and regular visits to the nutritionist. The risk of surgery was addressed by telling people that this surgery
carries with it the risk that any type of surgery would carry. And that because he is generally operating on a group of very overweight people the risks of complication
would be increased. He also spoke of rupture
to the staple line and what it meant etc.
On a scale of 1 to 10 I would rate him a 7.
He loses points because of his impersonal style. I think surgical competence is more important than bedside manner,the total package is the ideal though.