Spectrum Health Medical Group Lakeshore Bariatric Surgery Bariatric Center

Dr. Schram seemed very nice. He patiently discussed the surgery with me, and didn't make me feel stupid for asking a lot of questions. He was very helpful. The office staff seemed nice as well. I particularly enjoyed my talk with the nurse who had the surgery herself.

I have spent the last two years researching this surgery and after getting new insurance (PPO), have decided to go forth. I am a registered nurse and I have seen first hand the problems associated with obesity. I met with Dr. Schram after talking to several doctors at my hospital and getting their opinions of his surgical skills. Dr. Schram spent time not only talking clinically with me about my two pages of questions, but then broke things down in terms that my mother could understand (not having any medical background). He fully explained the risks of blood clots, leakages, scarring, hernias, infection and more (almost to the point of scaring me). He also emphasized how necessary follow-up care was and keeping connected with him and the staff and the dietician. The office staff was polite and proficient in their skills (even for my medically trained eyes) and I felt positive when I left. He finished up by stating that this surgery isn't a cure, but a tool and that I would need to do a LOT of work to make this work. He also told me that even with the pain meds, it is still pretty painful. I felt that he didn't just focus on the perks, but balanced the good, the bad and the ugly.

Dr. Schram was a wonderful man very understanding the minute he walked in the door of the room I knew he was great. His office staff will answer any questions you may have they are also wonderful.One thing that I thougth was GREAT about Dr. Schram was right before you go into surgery he takes your hand and has prayer with you and asks the lord to be with you and him while he does the surgey. He is very good about his follow ups he thinks they are very important. I would tell anyone to go to him and have him do there surgery I dont know of any other surgeon that was as wonderful as he was ... I have not one thing bad to say about him....

I couldn't of asked for a better surgeon - he was the best I could ever want!!!!!

Dr. Schram was very nice, straightforward, and helpful. He seemed genuinely concerned for my health and progress throughout the surgery and post op checkups. He was encouraging every visit and excited that things were going smoothly. His staff was always kind and helpful. Everyone worked hard to make sure that I underwstood the risks associated with the surgery and the importance of following the post op guidlines. My only dissappointment is that I have a terribly ugly scar, and I wish he would have been more concerned in helping the scarring be less noticable.

my first impression of Dr. Foote, is "he is really young!" that could be a good thing and it could be a bad thing. After talking to him, he does have experience with a very good doctor, but, not much experience on his own.

I talked to another patient who thought he was wonderful and his youth was a strenth, e was more cautious. Today I came home from my surgery, just 1 day post-op. Dr. Foote was great. He was able to do my surgery lap. and that made me very happy. He came to visit me 3 seperate times even though I was only in the hospital for 1 1/2 days. He was a very good listener, and I would recommend him to anyone who asks. He also has a good sense of humor, which I believe is important. It has only been 1 day but I can't believe how good i feel already. thanks Dr. Foote!

he seemed very nice. a little young but very nice. His staff is a little short with me and the nurse who took my weight and blood pressure was new and didnt know what the mini pouch procedure was. Now I am waiting on the insurance approval. BTC told me it would take 5-7wks to hear from my BCBS ppo and after 6wks, I had to call BTC for a status. I had to talk to 2 different people before I got a machine. They called the next day and told me I was approved. My how quickly it was...how long did they have this approval? Now I have left 5 voice mails with 3 different people to schedule my big day. After a week, no one here seems to have the courtesy to call me to tell me ANYTHING. I am seriously thinking of going somewhere else where my business would be appreciated. I will update later if I stay with BTC and let you know the turn out...

well I finally got a call from my scheduler Jeanette. The impression I got from her was very cold and felt like she was reading from a script. I decided to stick with BTC because I have heard from others who say the care was wonderful. I will give them a chance and now that I have a date for Feb.11, my temperature has dropped! Ha ha.Please wish me the best..........

Dr. Schram seemed very nice at first impression, and this did not change through out up to the current. Very easy to get along with, ask questions, and - most of all - understand! The office staff was very friendly as well. They made me seems comfortable and were readily available to help me through things that I did not understand on the forms.

Dr. Schram addressed the risks of the surgery in a separtate section of the conversation, and also after a family member had asked a question about the risks.

If I had to rate Dr. Schram today, I would give him a 11 out of 10. He seems very competent and was very friendly.

I suppose that one thing that I did not like was when he told me I would have to give up some of my most favorite foods. (But, this is only part of the job, and he has to bring that up, so..... that's OK.)

01/03/02
I have not yet met Dr. Schram, my initial consult is not until Feb 4th (darn). I have read other posts that can't seem to praise him enough though, so I am very happy with being assigned to him for my surgery. I am looking forward to meeting him in person!

He is very personable and capable. I met with him my first visit to the center, just prior to my surgery and once following the surgery itself. I like him very much and have confidence in his ability. He is very honest about the risks and the continued energies required on my part after the surgery. I would have like to see him more after the surgery but was seen by his partners, which was fine too.