I just made my first appointment

Yay, me! I just made my first appointment to meet with Dr. Sweitzer to discuss WLS....not sure which one is more appropriate for me just yet, but I am excited about taking this new step.  I called earlier today to make an appointment with my family doctor to get a referral.  Little steps so far, but hope to make a BIG step sometime very soon. Does anyone have any experience with him?   I have Blue Cross/Blue Shield National Standard Plan (Federal).  Does anyone have any experience with having WLS with them? Thanks for any information that you can provide on the doctor and/or the insurance.

Congrats for taking the first step!   I did not use Dr. Schweitzer, but I've heard freat things from his patients. I have BCBS Federal also and they were great!  The process was so simple.  There only requirement is that you use a Blue Center of Excellence and I know that JH Bayview is on their list. My doc's office submitted and I was approved within a week.  They did ask that I have at least two comorbidities and a BMI > 40. Good luck to you!

Thank you so much for your quick response! I am so excited about taking this first step....and totally stoked about embarking on this life-changing process.   I am ready for the challenges I'm about to face. I just got married on Dec 31, and we're about to take our honeymoon at the end of February.  It would be awesome to have a date for WLS after our return from Europe. My appointment with Dr. S is mid-Feb.  I can't wait!

Dr. Schweitzer is my Dr.  I have been very pleased with my care from him and his group.  While he is not a huggy, kissy type, that is fine with me.  I was not looking for that, I was looking for skill and a proven track record.  However, prior to surgery in preop, he did talk with me and hold my hand.  It was very reassuring.  My weight loss has been great and I would not change things for a minute.

Congratulations!  Dr. S did my lap band.  The main thing about Dr. S is that he likes informed patients.  Do your reading before you see him.  Ask good questions.  Be organized when gathering your info for insurance. He looks very young, but he's one of best bariatric surgeons in the world.  You are in good hands!  He's very nice and will answer your questions thoroughly without talking down to you.  He even answers emails.  His nurse Pat is awesome.  You'll see her a lot. If complications arise, as they did in my case (totally minor, as it turned out), he's on it.  I was impressed.  Read the blog entry about my surgery on my profile page. His office staff has had a lot of changes, but the current admin, Alice, is very efficient and nice to deal with. BCBS, I know nothing about.  I'm a fed, too, but have GEHA, which approved me on the first request.

Congratulations on taking the plunge.  Welcome to the MD forum and wishing you all the best in your journey. keep us posted.

Dr. S. will be doing my surgery.  I'm also BCBS Federal.  He is out of network for the feds so that means I have to pay his fee up front and then BCBS will reimburse me some - not sure how much. I guess I'll just be surprised when I get the check.  Hopkins, of course, is in network. Love, love, love Dr. S.  Like others said he's not real warm and fuzzy at your first appt but he did my EGD yesterday and he was a doll in the pre-op. OOPS - I'd better add that I am having the DS - so he is out of network for BCBS Fed for the DS - I'm not sure about other types of surgeries with him.

Dr. S  just did my DS surgery on Jan 3rd.  I have been very happy with him.  Ill ditto what others say about bedside manner.  It was fine and he was compassionate when necessary, but most importantly I went to him for his skill.   When I was released from the hospital, I had a lot of worries about my drains and some other things and each time I called the hospital or his office, whoever I dealt with contacted Dr S directly and called me almost immediately back.  I felt very well cared for. I would definitely recommend him. I cant offer any insight to your insurance. I have Optimum Choice.  It appears that many require a 6 month diet history so I would definitely check into that.  Call your insurance and ask them what their requirements are so you'll know what you've got to do. I wish you the best on your WLS journey... Teri

Welcome to the Maryland Board and congrats for taking this most important first step! I'm not a Dr. S. girl, but many of my friends are, and they absolutely love him!!  Sounds like you're in good hands!  As stated by others, I think the best type of patient is an informed one, so read as much as you can, ask us anything you like (we're full of info - some of it useful, some of it not!!), and be the best prepared patient you can be.  You've given yourself the gift of life! Take care and post often, Teresa (Tia)

I really don't want to slam the guy.  Read his reviews on the find a surgeon portion of the site. The negative things that are said are true.  Whether they are important to you or not, is a different story.  Please do yourself a favor and check out GBMCs program.  I was first drawn to Hopkins, went through the seminar, support groups, etc. and decided to check out GBMC.  My husband and I both knew before the seminar with Dr. Moeinolmolki was even over that GBMC was it.  My friend,who is a Hopkins employee, had a VGS with Dr. S. in September.  She had a bad hospital experience (the morphine pain button was broken from the start and she could not get anyone in there for SIX hours.  Despite being self-pay (yes Hopkins employees' insurance does not cover it), she was not in a private room.  They did not even have any areas dedicated to bariatrics.  I do remember Christine Walsh saying they were working on it.  At my friend's follow up at 12 weeks, Dr. S. wouldn't even look at her the entire time.  He just kept staring at the computer screen and paper work as he asked her short questions.  He said, "So you've ONLY lost 69 pounds?"  THIS IS AT 12 FREAKING WEEKS!  She corrected him with tears welling up that it was more like 81 pounds.  He never acknowledged it.  She and her husband left that appointment fed up, angry and done.  As soon as she got back to her office, she called me for Dr. Moein's information. Keep in mind that if you do check out GBMC, Dr. von Rueden is moving to St. Agnes.  He currently heads the GBMC program, but will not be heading St. Agnes'; Dr. Averbach is still there and in charge.  According to Kahie Storm, GBMC nurse practitioner (I got the scoop just yesterday at my fill), St. Agnes is looking to expand their program, and that's why they recruited Dr. von Rueden.  He is a great person and surgeon, but I'm glad I didn't go with him because I live in Whiteford and wouldn't want the added travel to Catonsville. Please check out at least GBMC's program before you commit to Hopkins.  (I've also been told by patients at Harford Memorial to stay far away from their program too.)