Dr, Schweitzer at Johns Hopkins

Consulting with him next week, would like to hear experiences(good and bad) as well and weight loss progess early, revison as well as long term.  Expecially interested in hearing from his revison patients.

Would you recommend him for your mother if she needed surgery?

Dr. Schweitzer performed my VSG in April and I felt I could not have been in better hands.  His office can be a bit frustrating at times and seems to lack orginization.  This made the approval process a less than stellar experience.  Dr. S is the surgeon.  He does not seem to be involved in the running of the office or the nutrition portion of the weight loss process.  He is known to not be warm and fuzzy but that was fine with me.  I was a revision from an experimental weightj loss implant to the VSG.  He was very candid about the surgery and any risks there might be.  Make a written list of questions to take with you.  He does not spend a lot of time with you but will answer all of your questions.  I would not hesitate to have him operate on any family member that needed it.  BTW I am down 55 lbs in 4.5 months.  Not the fastest loser but I am losing and I feel wonderful.  Oh and another bonus...no long drawn out pre-op diet.  I did one day of liquids before hand and a week afterward then started on mushies.  Good luck.

Thank you Life, how is your restriction? Do you feel as thought you are dieting?  Are you aware of any resleeves that he has done?  His coordinator told me that if he was not comfortable with a revison he would not hesitate to refer.  I understand Dr. Magnanson (sp) that is also an excellent surgeon at JH does alot of revisions.  Are you familuar with him?...again thank you for replying. 

Sorry I was so busy at work this week I did not have time to get back with you.  I assume you have had your meeting with Dr. Schweitzer.  I have no doubt that if he doubted his ability to do a reviison he would not do it.  My understanding is that Magnanson is a very good surgeon but I think I read he only does open procedures.   I hope your meeting went well.   I will answer your questions though.  I have decent restriction.  I can eat 3-4 ounces of solid protein at a time.  I get hungry and I guess sometimes I feel as if I am dieting but I can honestly say I don't feel deprived at all.  Good luck.

Dr S was my surgeon.  He is a fantastic surgeon.  As the other person said he is busy but he will answer any questions you have and take the time needed to explain things.  I see that you have a VSG what are you revising to? DS?  The reason I am asking is that Dr S is the one who would do that type of revision the other one you mentioned does not.  Also I am assuming you know this but the weight loss is supposed to be a little slower with a revision.

I concur with the others.  He is a great surgeon, buy his administrative staff is horrible.  I am 3 year out tomorrow and am maintaining my weight less.  It does seem that i can eat alot, which scares me a little.  But using the surgery as a tool, not as the answer has helped me.

If you are the kind of person that wants a good follow up program. Hopkins is not the place.  I guess if you live in Baltimore and are willing to pay for parking and tolls and are self motivated they do offer support group meetings.

Good luck on the revision.   I would recommend him for my family members.