Looking for patients of Dr. Schweitzer

HI all I was just looking for patients who have had Dr. Schweitzer do thier procedures. Wanted to know a little about him and how everything worked out for you. Any complications and if so what kind. I have my intial consult with him on the 17th of March. Ihave gone to his website and he seems really good at what he does. Just wanted anyone else's opinions of him. Thanks Candie

I have had my consultation with him and am now awaiting insurance approval. I found him to be very professional and his credentials are impecable. I would plan to go prepared. Have you been to any of the information sessions. He ran the one I was at so a lot of my questions had been answered. What surgery are you leaning towards?  I do think his staff is a little busy so I do keep track of things (though honestly that is my personality as well). Sorry I don't have much to add but best of luck!!!

Dr. Schweitzer is a great surgeon and his medical support staff could ot have been better. Dr. S. is not a hand holder and you have to be educated on which surgery you want. He doesn't have a good pre and post surgery program. So unless you are comforterable on your own his may not be the practice for you.  His administrative staff left much to be desired. I believe that they must be understaffed, I never got what I needed  in a timely manner and had to make numerous calls for everything. But since I was looking for the best surgeon, not admin staff ...everything worked out.

Yikes.  What did you find lacking in the pre and post surgery programs?  I am about to switch to Dr. Schweitzer and I hope he or his nutritionist is going to have good information on what I should eat postop, and what vitamins to take, how often to get vitamin levels checked with blood work, etc. with the duodenal switch(DS).  I have all the info I need on the RNY, but I am switching to him because he does the DS.  Did he have you do a thorough preop testing regimen?  I have already done all the preop testing for the GBMC program, so I should be fine, but I just want to know so i can see he is as thorough and that folks will be in good hands. 

I just sent you a PM

Hi Candie, I had the DS with Dr. S on Dec 4th. He is one of the best surgeons there is. He is very skilled and experienced. He is not a hand holder as someone mentioned, but if you have questions and concerns he is will sit patiently and answer them. He does expect you to do your research and have an idea as to what you are looking for. I knew what I wanted and why and he was fine with my choice. I thought his staff was great, I never had any problems. Everyone has been super friendly and the hospital staff was awesome! I came through surgery fine without any complications. I think you have made a great choice with Dr. S. His nurse Pat is so fabulous, I just adored her! I see her for my follow up visits. Good luck with everything and keep us posted on how your consult goes!! Amy

He's a great surgeon and seems like a nice enough guy, too.  He did my lap band.  I echo what everyone else says -- educate yourself before your appointment, expect Pat (his terrific CNP) to do a lot of your follow-up care, keep tabs on your paperwork because they're understaffed, etc.  I will add that the surgery team is terrific.  I have had other surgeries, and I was favorably impressed. If the going gets tough, he's the guy you want.  I had pseudo-complications (I had chest congestion that was mimicking a blood clot), and I could not have gotten better care. Edie

I had Dr. S too and totally agree with what the others have posted! I just had my year post op visit and saw a new "fellow" of his that I was not crazy about but Pat is awesome!!

Candie, I am sceduled to see Dr. Schweitzer soon too, and I have heard very good things about his expertise and surgical skill.  He had written books on how to perform these surgeries.  I have also heard that he is not a hand holder type, and that you must advocate for yourself by being educated and asking questions about your surgery and the expected post op food plan to follow.  I hear they just lost and replaced a nutritionist there.  I hope the new one has a better program since another poster said here they didn't seem to have a great pre or post op program in place. Let's stay in touch. 

I too had him and went in very prepared about what procedure I wanted, why I wanted it and what my expectations were. He is direct and honest and will tell you he will do what is best to keep you from having complications which is frankly why I chose him.  I was self pay and believe me I was grateful for the non complication approach. Both my partner and I had the DS and she had insurance and they were given a challenge of her coverage changing and they got her in Dec 26th on an extra surgery day. I was done a month later. I think anyone who sees him should go in knowing what will be done to their bodies and understand the long term commitment needed. He was frank about what could happen with noncompliance. I would have him as my surgeon in a heartbeat. Good Luck.