Abbott Northwestern Hospital Bariatric Center

About 25 years ago my mom had gastric bypass surgery from one of the same surgeon's in Dr. Drew's group. That is why I picked Dr. Drew. He has a good reputation in MN. I also chose him, because he will do a lap. procedure, which is important to me. I have met with Dr. Drew once and we, amazingly, were able to talk for about an hour, privately. He is very busy, so I was impressed with this personal time he spent with me. I was able to ask him many questions, and he explained a lot of things to me. The main nurse in the office is really good, and I know she invests a lot of herself with all of their gastric by pass patients. Another great thing is that they had information seminars that I went to before I started going through the paperwork to get on "the list" as they call it to get a surgery date. They were very helpful services, and now, just about a year later, I am set to have the surgery. I didn't think I would get a date so fast, but it is approaching rapidly. So far, I have been impressed with Dr. Drew and his staff!

I met Dr Drew for the very first time today (2/14/03). My very first impression was that he was very kind. He has very kind eyes and beautiful hand. He seems to be very confident, which is reassuring since my life will be in his hands during the operation.

My appointment was scheduled for 9am. He had be delayed at the hospital. I did not get to see him until about 10am. It was worth the wait.

He started out going over all the risks of surgery and made sure I understood what he was saying. He spent a good amount of time with this. Once the risks were covered, we reviewed the operation itself and the aftercare schedule.

I will add more comments about his bedside manner after the surgery.

So far my contact with this surgeon's ofice has been very impersonal. I am considering going to a different surgeon and have a meeting with one next week.

My first impression of Dr. Schwartz was very pleasent. He went through all the precautions, all the benefits, and also had advise for ways to ensure sucess. He was very trusting, and very knowledgable about everything we had to ask. My wife and I went over there with 20 - 30 questions, and he would not let us leave until he answered every one of them. His staff seemed to be very prepared. In some ways, a little too prepared, but it was nice that they knew everything I needed to do, and if I had forgot anything they were there to remind me. Dr. Schwartz was very distinct on all the risks of surgery, and didn't try to hide anyhting. I would rate Dr. Schwartz, from my meeting with him, as a very knowledgable, caring, and good Doctor. I look forward o having Dr. Schwartz perform my surgery on March 11, 2003.

Will post more after the surgery!

I was told from a friend who had Dr. Schwartz for her surgery to go to him. She said she liked him, so I went to the info meeting and the journey began. When I meet him I was impressed with him. I was told when I meet him for my consultation that I could be scheduled for surgery right away, but when my blood work came back it showed that my iron was low. One of his office staff that schedules you had to call me and tell me that they could not schedule me until my blood was up to 12.5. I was upset because for the past ten years my blood has stayed at 11.5-11.8 or so. Long story short it took alot of test and time to finally get it up for surgery, about 4 months. At first I thought he was being too strict, but it was for my own health that he stood his ground on the hemoglobin increasing and I am glad he did.

Gentle man with a great working knowledge and experience. Caring and yet honest; Dr. Drew was very effective in giving me surgical risks, successes. He did not mince words. Have my impressions changed?? NO! Dr. Drew's office staff are great listeners for the most part and fairly efficient in procedures. Least likable thing is that I had to travel 80+ miles to have the surgery and experienced one very weight-biased night nurse who should be working with maintenace and machines---nothing living. There is an aftercare procedure at 3,6, 9, and 12 months. Aftercare support groups are 80+ miles away and have been difficult for me to attend. Overall rating for Dr. Drew and his staff is 8. I believe that both bedside manner and surgical competence were very good albeit extremely busy.

I work at Abbott Northwestern Hospital so I had already met him long before I had decided to have the surgery. I like him as a doctor and he spent a lot of time with me during my preop appointment. the only thing I don't like is the fact that there is virtually no aftercare program. I am now 4 months postop and have had 2 postop appointments. I do have to say that when I did call the office concerned about some symptoms I had been having I was told by the secretary that one of the phone nurses went home ill and that she didn't know how long it would be before someone called me back; Dr Drew called me himself within 15 minutes which reassured me greatly

Dr. Chute was actually my surgeon with De. Schwartz supervising, so it would be nice if you had Dr. Chute's name on your site. Both surgeons were absolutely wonderful in every way. I've only had one post-surgical doctor's visit. My surgery was October 15th.

My first impression of Dr. Drew was that he was very mellow, laid back, nice and easy to talk to. His staff was very pleasent and professional.

I have chosen Dr. Schwartz to do my surgery, I am waiting for approval from my insurance company. As soon as that happens I will be meeting with him and scheduling my surgery.

I met his wife Judy who sets things up and she is very nice and very informative. They held an informative meeting and it lasted two hours. She went over everything. I went in to the seminar scared and left knowing that my decision was the right one.