Question:
ANYONE OUT THERE, WHO THEIR SURGERY DONE BY Dr. Schmidt in NJ

I'M TRYING TO HAVE MY SURGERY (LAPAROSCOPIC GASTRIC BYPASS) DONE BY DR. HAN SCHMIDT,M.D. IN HACKENSACK, NJ. CAN ANYONE OUT THERE SHARE, THEIR EXPERIENCE WITH DR. SCHMIDT WITH ME. I WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THE SURGERY, HOW DID GO. HOW WAS YOUR STAY AT HACKENSACK MEDICAL CENTER (NJ).    — Valerie C. (posted on January 15, 2000)

January 15, 2000
Please email me privately. www.vitalady.com
   — vitalady

January 16, 2000
Have you tried asking your Dr. for refferals from any of his other patients? Since this is such a huge lifestyle change he should be more than willing to give you information on how to contact previous patients of his. of course this also depends on if those patients mind if they are contacted. just ask all he can tell you is no., and if he does do you really want him as a surgeon?
   — cristy P.

January 17, 2000
I had my lap rny with Dr. Schmidt on 12/27. He is a terrific surgeon. I e-mailed you privately but I'm not sure if it went through.
   — Sue H.

April 5, 2000
Hi! Just wanted to post my two cents on your question about Dr. Schmidt in Hackensack, NJ. I don't know this doctors rep from Adam and I don't propose to know about him or how capable he is. I do understand that you needed to know more about how many surgeries he does and what the outcome has been. I also understand that you had gotten some negative feedback recently about the new staples. All a matter of concern. I think that his office needs to revise their procedures concerning who will answer patients questions when they call or come in. Having someone answer who doesn't know the right answers is disconcerting to the patient and also a detriment to the doctor. As far as the doctor's letter to you saying that he doesn't feel comfortable with doing your surgery now, I would say he is completely right. You must have the utmost confidence in your doctor in order to heal correctly and get the best results that you can. I also agree, that now, since you already don't have confidence in him, that you are more likely to have more problems after the surgery be they small or large. You had every right to find out everything you could about the doctor, but, on the other hand, he also has a right to refuse to do the surgery if he thinks that the outcome would be less than great. There are so many doctors that do these surgeries with so much more experience, although he might be a great doctor and surgeon, that I think that I would try and find someone else. I agree with Dr. Matthias saying that possibly we should be saying "maybe you didn't understand your doctor correctly and go ask again" rather than "your doctor doesn't know what he/she is talking about". I have gained some valuable information on here but, as far as the surgical proceedures and what is best, the doctors reputation and so forth, maybe we should do some more questioning of the doctors and not the patients on here as much. The reason I say this is only because you can ask one person whether the surgery went well and whether they liked their doctor and they will have one answer and ask another person and they will have another. YOU ultimately have to be comfortable with your doctor and his answers. If you are not, then change doctor's immediately. If you can't get forthright answers and he won't give referrals, then change. There are too many wonderful doctors (as you can see by the patients on here) to be concerned about one doctor's credentials and competence. Hope this helped alittle bit. I am not judging anyone, just making sure that your doctor is your best friend at this time...you will need that relationship throughout this time.
   — BARBARA R.