Question:
Do I stay with Dr. Schauer or change to Dr. Mattar?

My PCP referred me to Dr. Phillip Schauer - a premier Dr. here in Pittsburgh. However, it takes forever to go through the pre-op process with him. Another doctor within his practice - Dr. Samer Mattar - can take me much sooner. However, I'm not sure about how experienced he is. On the other hand, I would really like to get the ball rolling. Can anyone advise me on Dr. Mattar?    — Rev.Carol (posted on November 14, 2003)

November 14, 2003
Schauer is mny surgeon, Matrtar is very well liked and trained by schauer. Have you attended anyt support group meetings?
   — bob-haller

November 14, 2003
Did you know about the pittsburgh yahoo christmas potluck? Its december 13th at the friends meeting house.
   — bob-haller

November 14, 2003
No, I have not attended any support meetings because my Bible Study meets on Wednesday nights. I did watch an old one on line, though. And no, I have not heard about the yahoo. What is it?
   — Rev.Carol

November 14, 2003
I was going to go with Schauer, until I seen his waiting list! Hershey Medical center is closer for me but they have a 2-3 year waiting list as well...so I chose what I thought was a better doctor. He had a very short waiting list (virtually none), and he was trained by Schauer. Well we started with him in early 2003, just about insurance submittal time we get a letter stating that he is no longer doing this surgery, and dropped all his WLS patients. We found another dr that was taking his patients and squeezing them in. Dr. Courcalas is a very good dr and is not getting out of WLS any time soon. She works out of Shadeyside Hospital. My husband and I are now wating our turn for the surgery. He is going in March 2004, and I am April 2004. So this has not really shortened our time any by trying to find a 'quicker' dr. If you think that things will move along quicker and the other dr is part of Schauer's pratice then go for it. Ususally the head Dr of a pratice demands the same calibur of performance from his staff, that he does so you should be safe and in good hands.
   — Pookie B.

November 14, 2003
I had surgery with Dr. Mattar on 4/29/03. So far I have lost over 100lbs with 60 more to go. He was excellent.
   — K W.

November 15, 2003
Thank you all for your help. I am going to go ahead with the workshop with Dr. Mattar and trust that God has His hand on everything. He is the Master Healer and Head Physician after all!
   — Rev.Carol