Abbott Northwestern Hospital Bariatric Center

My first impression of Dr. Schwartz was very comforting. He was very sure of himself and that made me feel like I was in very good hands. I just felt comfortable around him and his staff. They are very friendly and kind people. I have heard nothing but great things about him!

I attended the informational meeting run by
Judy Schwartz, the nurse for Dr. Drew and
Dr. Schwartz. Very professional, very
honest. I was approved for RNY with her
help. Unfortunately, however, they cannot
even schedule an appointment with me for at
least six months, and the surgery would be
about four months after that. Frankly, I
cannot wait that long. So I have an
appointment with Dr. Ikramuddin in a
month. He is new to the area, and he can
probably operate as soon as two months after
the initial consultation. I feel guilty about
having Nurse Schwartz get me approved and
then going to another surgeon, but so it
goes. Dr. Ikramuddin is a member of the
ASBS, there are no complaints against
him, and he works with Dr. Buchwald.

I met with Dr. Schwartz yesterday and found him to be a nice and gentle man. He was sensitive about my concerns and answered all of my questions very knowledgeably. Plus, he said I was pretty, so I couldn't have been there based on just cosmetic concerns (that did it right there!haha).
The office staff seem to enjoy working there, lots of levity in the air. I got off to a slow start earlier this year with them because the letter they write requesting authorization from my healthplan was delayed a bit so the process took a little longer than I would have preferred, then I had to appeal a denial so that didn't help matters either. With that I also realize that they are tremendously busy and I just needed to wait my turn in line. I would suggest anyone preparing for this make sure you do your homework and fill out all the paperwork very thoroughly, keep copies, dates submitted, etc. (in case you have to do battle with your insurance company) and follow up with reasonably spaced phone calls to check on the progress of your case, because scheduling cancellations can happen and your anticipated consult/surgery dates may be changed if the need arises there at the office. It's best to just be patient and roll with it but stay in touch so they know you're still out there and serious about your intentions to have surgery (do as much of your own leg work as you possibly can to ensure they have all of the information necessary to move your case along), after meeting with them today I believe its worth the wait. They do have an ongoing WLS support group which he highly recommended I attend, they also expect you to do followup visits for the rest of your life to monitor your health and progress. Overall my partner and I both left the consult feeling a little more comfortable and reassured that he had the right kind of experience in doing this procedure. I feel a lot more calm and at peace with my decision to go through with this now. I'm confident he'll do a good job.

I thought Dr Drew to be very patient and informative when it came to my questions. I also found the nurses at his office patient and willing to answer the smallest of questions. When you call and have to leave a message they return your call in a timely matter. The only thing I was uncomfortalbe about was at the end of our meeting he shook my hand and said see ya on 1/17/02. I thought I would have at least another meeting with him before hand. I only had one meeting with him so from what I gathered frome that is a feeling of trust. I did however get a chance to speak with two of his patients in the waiting room and they seemed to but a lot of fears at ease. I am concered with how things will be handled at the hospital before and after.

I have not actually met Dr Swartz yet. Ihave my consultation 1-3-02. I orginally started with Dr. Baker. They were all very nice there but I could not loose the 25 lbs that they required for me. When I went to get all my records after I switched to Dr. Drew/Schwartz, Dr. Baker's office was not very friendly anymore. In fact they were rude. Anyway, I started all of this back in October 2001. I started to go to the meeting, the psycologist. I quit smoking. I got approved from the insurance company, but I could not take off the weight. So, Teresa, a woman that I work with from time to time suggested that I try to get in with Dr. Drew and Schwartz. I started all over again. I did not have to have the psc eval done again, but I had to go to the meetings. I had to send in all the paperwork to the insurance company again. I am now scheduled for surgery Feb 13, 2002. I am really excited. I just had my EKG and chest x-ray done. This morning I went in to have my gallbladder checked. I will find out monday. I do however have an enlarged heart and I have to go in to have an echocardiogram done. We need to find out if my heart is inlarged because of my weight or is it is something else. So, I am a little nevous about that. I just keep pray. I have batteled my way to here, so I can't stop now. I will let you know.

He is a GOD!!!

My impression of Dr. Drew is that he genuinely cares about his patients and the same goes for his staff. His aftercare program has a bit to be desired as I don't feel as if there is one. Dr. Drew adressed all of the risks of surgery and they were all acceptable to me. I would definitely recommend Dr. Drew to anyone considering the surgery. I think they could have done a better job on the incision as it did leave a considerable scar but that is probably normal.

<b>6-14-01</b>
Today I met Dr Schwartz. He is the nicest guy! He listened to all my questions my boyfriend and I asked and he answered each one.. He is very informative and is calm and relaxed guy who I would reccommend him to everyone... He has a very busy office but he totaly takes his time and explains everything to his patients... so if anyone is confused on who to see as a Dr... Pick him he's great!
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<b>4-20-01</b>
Well today I met Judy Schwartz R.N., Dr.Schwartz's wife. She was soooo nice and I had a great time in the informational seminar. Everyone was so nice and understanding. I filled out all my paper work for Judy, Now I have to finish with my pysc eval and have them fax the results to Judy, which will be completed on 4-27, Then Judy will write the letter to my insurence company and wait for my approvel letter...
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<b>5-23-01</b>
Well I have gotten aproved for my surgery on 5-09-01.
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<b>8-19-01</b>
*~*I had my surgery on 7-31-01, Dr Schwartz's was wonderful. Him and his assistant did a wonderful job on me... he was able to do it lap--- instead of open! He is a kind and wonderful man!

Thus far I have been very pleased with Dr. Schwartz. He has a wonderful personality and a great bedside manner. The staff which he surrounds himself with are wonderful, caring, and sincere. He has an active support group, which as you know is very important. When I call with various questions, I always receive a call back within 24 hours. They have strict rules regarding follow-up appointments and are considered mandatory to attend. All questions can and are answered during the surgical consult, and they determine whether you are a candidate for laparoscopic or open at that time. My father attended my surgical consult, and had grave concerns regarding the surgery. Afterwards, my father shook hands with Dr. Schwartz and with a tear in his eye said I trust you with my only child (for my brother passed away just a year ago from cancer). Dr. Schwartz and his team are experienced, honest, and sincere. I would recommend them to anyone.

He was very patient and curitous with my questions. He definately knows what he is doing and how the surgery is completed.


He did go on to explain all the side effects and no guarntee spill, but overall I got the feeling he was a nice man and was just tired and rushed.

I am confident of his ablities and am looking forward to surgery. I know he will be great.