Weight Loss and Surgery Center Bariatric Center

Dr. Lin is very knowledgeable and very highly regarded by Kaiser. I have had only an initial consultation with him (on 05/02/07), with my surgery date pending results of additional tests. My personal impression of this initial consult was less than positive. He sent in a very skinny, very inexperienced medical student to do the initial screening interview. When Dr. Lin finally arrived (1 hour later), he was a bit abrupt and did not want to be interrupted with questions while he was talking with me. He did, however, compliment me on knowing as much as I did about the RNY surgery already (from my own extensive research) when I came in for the consult. His office staff and clinical RN were very kind and very helpful, both during the visit and afterwards in phone calls. I will put more here after the surgery.rnrnUpdate following 6-26-07 LRNY: Dr. Lin is the BOMB! I was incredibly impressed with all of his knowledge, and the fact that he visited with me in pre-op and answered additional questions. He also personally checked on me during the 3-day hospital visit at least twice per day (with residents, as this was a teaching hospital), but spent 15 minutes with me each time. I have only met with his NP since the surgery, but she is as knowledgeable as Dr. Lin is.

Very pleasant from the moment I met him. His staff is great! I felt like they actually cared about me as a person not as another patient.

I liked Dr.Lee as soon as I met her. She was up front on my condition, and reccommended that I speak with my PCP immediately and have her backing. rnrnMy impression of her hasn't changed over time and I like her still.rnrnI would describe her office staff as being just as good as her. They are polite and have a good manner to them.rnrnI didn't find it bothersome that she had her students with her, we as some people would have found that to like least about them. But it's a teaching hospital so I expected it, the students have to learn from someone.rnrnAs for future patients, learn as much as you can about what you are expecting from her, and let her know what you expect.rnrnShe emphasizes after care and support groups. She actual wants you to attend them before and after the surgery. She WON'T do your surgery unless you have attended the pre-op support meeting.rnrnShe told me the risks, some that I knew of, and some that I didn't know of.rnrnOverall I would give her a 8 out of 10 so far since I haven't had my surgery yet.rnrnAs for surgical competence and bedside manner, these are both great to me. I want these in addition to the aftercare in my surgeon.rnrnAs for negative things, I didn't have any expect the wait to get an appointment with her. Since she is very busy with consults, surgeries, and teaching I could understand it. I also didn't like the criticism of my diet then when I met with her, but understood what I was doing wrong when she pointed it out. So that has come to be a positive.

If you are easily influenced, think twice before attending an information session. Fantastic pre-surgery support. He will convince you that this is must have surgery in a flat minute and his staff are experts at getting insurance approval. His program sounds to good to be true. He seems to be a good surgeon and everyone is super nice but I don't consider the \"after care\" adequate. Lots of promises but I didn't receive any real after care support. My \"follow-up\" appointments consisted of being weighed and told I was doing great but problems were not addressed. He billed my insurance $200 for weighing me! I did't receive basic post-surgery care and had to turn to my PCP for support. The support group only addressed pre-surgery and first month issues. I understood that the surgery and followup care would cost me $1500, but that was only a deposit toward the surgery fee. I was billed for the balance after insurance paid. Any future diet or psyic issues cost extra. The Nutritional counseling pre-surgery consisted of reading a handout to a patients and family and answering questions for which my insurance was billed for 3 nutriional counseling sessions. Likewise my insurance was billed for indepth psy evaluation for a 20 min. session. Everytime I attended a \"support group\" meeting, my insurance was billed for group counseling. I was taken aside for making negative comments during the group session and attacked on his on-line support group for responding to a patient request for PCP recommendations for saying that one needed to consider seeking a PCP that could respond to WLS questions that weren't addressed by Dr. Afram or his staff.

First impression: Very knowledgable, pleasantrnrnImpression over time: He knows what he is doing. rnrnOffice/Staff: Excellent staff, very comfortablernrnLike the least about him: Didn't check my incision so it went thick and bumpy and didn't have me do bloodwork until almost a year after surgery, luckily it ended up being just fine. Doesn't ask alot of questions of you, you have to guess what is important to mention to him.rnrnFor future patients: You have to be a bit proactive with him. I had a very smooth journey, so I was lucky. Take your vitamins!!!!rnrnAftercare: Very emphasized, he sees you every month for a year, every 3 months the next, and then once a year for life. Provides access to nutritionist and trainer.rnrnDoes he address risks: absolutelyrnrnRate Overall: GreatrnrnSurgical competence/bedside manner or both: Surgical competence is off the charts. Bedside manner is good, not great. rnrnBottom line: Dr. Afram did a fantastic job. I have done wonderfully and have had absolutely no complications. I truely believe he saved my life.

My first impression of Paul Lin was before i was even an patient.I work GW hospital and was impress with his successful surgeries.Over time I just became more and more impress.His office staff is great even when i felt like i was calling them all the time they never made me feel like i was a bother.He explains everything in plain english.He tells you upfront what to expect.I love him i would not see anyone else for this surgery even when other people was telling me about other surgeons my mind was already made.His bedside manner and surgical competence is great.And he is a good leader his resident Dr Sabnis was there preop,surgery and post op and I like him too.

My first impression of Dr. Lin is that he is a very warm and caring individual. He was very thorough in explaining the procedure. Dr. Lin and his staff appear to be very courteous, patient and knowledgeable about what we as patients can expect.

I've meet with Dr. Lee and she seems wonderful. She encouraged me to ask any questions of her and her skills and experience as well as any questions I had about the procedure. I like that. If someone is about to go poking around inside your body you should be able ask them just about anything! rn

My first impression of Dr. Lee was that she was kind and very honest. She was polite and gave me information about herself that made me very happy I chose her. The staff is that same way kind and polite. I don't know how many times I called, but evertime a nice and good conversation.

I found Dr. Afram to be very thorough in his explanations. His office staff is very helpful and courteous, especially Sally.rnrnMy surgery is set for March 27th 2007.