DR. Michael Schweitzer and Johns Hopkins

I am interesting in hearing your experiences with Dr. Michael Schweitzer and Johns Hopkins.  I am considering a Roux En Y procedure and have a consultation with him tomorrow.

I am also interested in knowing what Hopkins required you to do pre op in terms of diet or fasting.

And lastly, how long a wait did you have from the time you had your consultation till your surgery date-- and do you feel that was insurance delays or his surgical schedule that accounted for the time between consult and surgery.

Thank you for your thoughts.

Dr. Schweitzer is an excellent surgeon, one of the best.  He's not a touchy feely hold your hand type of guy but I didn't feel I needed that.  Unfortunately I had two bouts with ulcers last year and had to be hospitalized for both.  So, I've seen him a lot more than the average patient.

At the consultation, you'll likely see one of his surgical fellows first and then he'll come in to talk to you, find out what surgery you are interested in, and answer any questions that you have. 

There was no pre-op diet at all.  On my own, I stopped drinking carbonated beverages, cut out caffeine and started the vitamin regime.

The time between my initial consulation and my surgery was 7 months but in that time I had to finish my 6-month doctor supervised diet before I could submit to insurance.  The insurance company took a while to approve me but I think by law they have 30 days to respond.  My surgery was 10 weeks after my approval came through.  The 10 weeks was due to his schedule, which is busy, and he only does surgery on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Good Luck to you!
Heather

Thanks so much for this information-- it is very helpful.  I hope you don't mind my asking, but are the ulcers a potential complication of the RNY?

And thanks again...my appointment is later today.  I have a list of questions already prepared and just want to be able to use my time today at Hopkins to my best advantage in terms of questions, concerns and making sure I understand what is going on.

Thanks again-- I really appreciate your taking the time.

Best
Jan

Hi Jan,

I hope your appointment went well.  By now you probably have the answer to your question, but yes, ulcers are a potential complication.  Dr. Schweitzer's protocol, at the time of my surgery, was to have RNY patients (VSG patients too, I think) take a PPI (Protonix) for 6 months following surgery.  After I stopped taking the Protonix, I developed an ulcer.  After it healed, the GI doctor's nurse told me that I could discontinue the Protonix again.  BAD ADVICE.  I ended up in the hospital with multiple ulcers that time.  Bottom line, for me, is that I am super sensitive to caffeine and alcohol, so I will have to take the Protonix for life.  Since the last hospital stay (June 2010), I've been ulcer free.  

Take care,
Heather

yep ulcers are a potential problem... I am about 2 years out and three weeks ago today I was hospitalized (out of town on vacation) with a PERFORATED ULCER called a marginal ulcer because it was on the margin by the incision for the pouch... directly related to the WLS surgery.

Hi Heather--

Thanks so much for your quick reply again. I did see Dr. Schweitzer today and asked him about the ulcer issue along with 1001 other questions I had. My appointment was great. I found his Nurse Practioner so warm, helpful, empathetic -- it really was terrific. I then met with Dr. Schweitzer who ever so patiently and carefully explained, answered questions, took his time and offered reassurances while also speaking very directly about possible complications.

I feel in really good hands and while I am still a bit nervous about the surgery, what life might be like after and such, I really am delighted to be working with Dr. Schweitzer and his team. I am hoping all of my exchanges with his team are as positive as these were.

Thanks again,
Jan