Johns Hopkins Obesity Surgery Center Bariatric Center

SO far I love this Doctor. He is so caring and loving... Cant wait to see how things go forward.

The best of the best! Wrote the book...literally. responsive to questions and needs and gives his email address. Personally called after home from hospital to check on me.

If this review was about the office staff, there would be fewer stars. They did not return emails or phone calls and led to much delay. I had to say on them to get the pieces in place.

FACTS:
***revision from sleeve to duodenal switch request***
Initial Dr. visit approved request
5 months wait for insurance denial
botched insurance submittal by office administration
Dr. never ordered necessary tests for the insurance to approve
office staff rarely followed up on phone call requests for information and status updates
Filed complaint with Director of the Program
Dr. Schweitzer relayed to me via the Director that he was "sorry" for not ordering the right tests and feel free to take my business elsewhere.

Thus far I have only actually met Dr. Schweitzer once, for my initial consultation. I felt he was confident, informative, competent, and a "just the facts" kinda guy. I have read good things online, and all of my research shows his experience and competence to be above average.

Dr.Schweitzer was not my original surgeon, but I am still very happy with how everything has turned out! On the day of my first scheduled date, my original Dr. was called in to preform emergency surgery, and I had to rescheduled. Dr. Schweitzer did both my DR and me a HUGE and very appreciated favor, unselfishly said he would do my surgery a week later. I met him right before he cut me open. He was so incredibly kind and easy going! He put me and my family at ease. He let my family know how the surgery went. The next morning he came in and checked on me. He has a GREAT bedside manner. He talked to me and not at me. He has a very easy going personality. All of my incisions healed very nicely. I would HIGHLY recommend him!!!

I was scheduled for an RNY gastric bypass but when Dr.Schweitzer began the surgery, he said my liver was too hard and did a sleeve bypass instead. It is possible that this bypass can be converted to a RNy if I don't lose enough weight. Dr Schweitzer and his team were great. They've answered all questions and kept my husband informed during surgery.

Very professional, but approachable. Office staff was friendly and helpful. Was clear about the risks of surgery and the need for personal discipline, but encouraging.

I had very little trouble with my surgery so, my actual exposure to Dr. Nguyen was fairly limited...saw him for initial consult, the day after surgery and the next day briefly. Otherwise, I have been seen by various other physician assistants, etc.
Surgical competence: A+, at least judging from the fact that I've had virtually no problems and he did my surgery laparoscopically.
Bedside manor: B...not overly warm and fuzzy, I doubt he'd remember my face or my name, but he was approachable enough when I did see him. And the rest of his team was VERY warm and fuzzy.

Years ago I saw this Dr. for my first consultation and he pretty much told me to come back later on after I got serious about weight loss and left the room because he asked me if I was drinking soda. What a horrible bedside manner. Of course I'm drinking soda. I haven't started dieting yet .. this is my first visit! This was my first meeting about WLS! I had not even started on the pre op diet yet or knew anything about the surgery! He might be a good surgeon but he acted like a real ass. I went there to ask questions, find out information about what needed to be done and see if I liked him or not and this was how he acted? I went and found someone else with much more experience (over 5,000 procedures done) and now I'm sleeved :)

All I can say is this guy is wonderful!!! He is very supportive without judgement and he knows what he is doing.

I had heard so much about Dr. Schweitzer not being a nice person but I thought he was great. He was very professional and nice. Smiled a lot and answered all of my questions. He was certain that I could be successful with the VSG based on my history but he explained all of the procedures to me. The only hiccup I had with him is that his Medical Office Coordinator is pretty slow. She gave me the only problems I had with his office. Everyone in the Bariatric program at Hopkins is very attentive, responsive and eager to help and see you be successful. When I picked Dr. Schweitzer, I chose him because he is one of the best at what he does but I was pleasantly surprised that he was a genuinely nice person. Mind you I didn't see him very often but when I did he was great.