Johns Hopkins Obesity Surgery Center Bariatric Center

Dr. Magnuson is great.

Dr. Magnuson was very professional throughout my sojourn. He addressed all the surgical risks thoroughly etc but also was very optimistic about how well I would do and he was right! His office staff is very helpful(thank you, Andi) as were the staffs of all the support personnel involved(Connie in Psychiatry particularly)! There is an aftercare program/support group and continuing help is available through the dietary service. Dr. Magnuson sees his patients at regular intervals after surgery. The best thing he does is make himself available AT ALL TIMES - nights, weekends, you name it. He is very supportive in that way and has always responded within an hour of my calls to his office or service. And I mean he responds himself, not an office person or a resident. I really appreciated this. He has a very reassuring and positive bedside manner and is an excellent surgeon. I would give him an A+++!!

Dr. Magnuson presents as a highly qualified and competent surgeon. I was never scared of the surgery because I could just tell. Although he moves very quickly, I could often engage him in a friendly discussion. I never felt as if he was talking down to me, and I felt that he did this surgery because he wanted to help people like me. He fully informed me of the procedure and it's risks.

I'm not sure that Johns Hopkins bariatric surgery program is as developed as it should be in the sense of aftercare programs. I wasn't given information on wound care, bathing, what to look for, or signs of problems. I ended up going back in the hospital because I became dehydrated and had pain in my side.

The pre-op program is phenomenal, especially nutrition.

I would highly recommend him (and have)over some of the profit mills that are opening around here.

I liked him - he seems earnest and young, but very capable. He also received high marks in Baltimore magazine. The one "complaint" is that he constantly runs late... but when you're this busy, what can you do?

The office staff is okay, but realize he is leaving Sinai in January and going to Bayview (associated with Johns Hopkins).

It's hard to get an appointment with him. I booked in February and had my first meeting with him in June! Now I hear the appointments are being booked even further in advance!

He requires that you see a dietician, which is good. THere may be a different one at the new hospital, but the one at Sinai was very helpful. This isn't a regular dietician who talks to you about food choices - this is someone who's going to tell us how to eat post-op!

I haven't had the surgery yet, so I'll answer some of the other questions later. But so far he seems very thorough.

My first impression of Dr. Magnuson was that he was very knowledgeable and showed signs of being able to care while remaining professional.
The office staff has been very helpful in that they have answered every question and have always returned my calls in a reasonable amount of time.
Dr. Magnuson's emphases on aftercare was brief but very detailed. There was ample space for questions at any time.

My first impression of Dr. Schweitzer was one of reassurance. He was warm, friendly, and personable. The morning of my initial consultation was hectic. I was originally scheduled for a January date but traded with my friend. One of the receptionist gave me a hard time about the switch but Andrea managed to put all of the details together for me. The doctor was late seeing me but made his sincere appologies saying that he was longer in surgery than expected. Though this was my first meeting with Dr Schweitzer, I am familiar with his work because he performed the surgery on my youngest daughter and ex-husband. Both have loss in excess of a hundred pounds since January. Dr. Schweitzer explained that he was backlogged with cases and wouldn't rush any of them. He said that my surgery would most probably take place in the Fall. He advised me that most African-American patients do not fare as well with the lap-band surgery and that he wouldn't reccomend that particular procedure for me. Having researched all of the methods at my disposal, I was most interested in the RNY procedure done laproscopically. The doctor said he would only cut me if there were complications. We discussed the risks associated with the surgery and I assured him that I understood fully. I also inquired of him as to the age of his oldest patient because I want to encourage my mother to have the surgery as well.
There is a structured after care program. I understand that he wants to know the whereabouts of all of his patients for perpetuity. I have no dislikes with Dr. Schweitzer. I found him to be honest, considerate, and efficient, traits important to me as a patient. I will rate him again after my surgery on October 28th.

1] Nice, professional, cautionous, I think that he is caring, supportive and continues to care, even if I have switched Doctors, due to distance, as I have moved, he still keeps in touch with email.
2] Office staff nice, slow, but then again, it is a very being office, so no wonder.
3]That he is caring and what;s to make sure that you know everything before having the surgery, he has watch movies, meet with the dietian and makes sure you know everything, complications, lifestyle changes, eating habits, etc. all before the surgery. Also most Drs. make you come in several times before the surery, due to the distance from him, he and his staff worked with me to make me come for only one visit before the surery and any added blood test was done the morning I arrived at the hospital, he left my primary care phy. do the routine blood tests and xrays himself and faxed the results to him. He cared about my convience which is very unusal for a dr. I know as I am an RN. I would rate him a 25 on a scale of 0-10

I met with Dr M on April 16, 2002. I liked his attitude and his demeanor. He is casual yet very confident. I have heard nothing but glowing things about this man! His secretary is a difficult one to deal with. I had to go into her office and sit down and talk with her to make any progress. May 13, 2002 I got my approval and date! August 8th is my date for the "other side"! I must say here that despite the problems I had with Andi initially she has been incredibly supportive since my surgery. She seems to really know her stuff. She just really needs more help in her office!

Dr. Magnuson is great. Very good surgeon and has a great resident team. I have had problems with his office and the speed at which thhey got me into the process, but when I had a real medical emergency, they took care of it FAST. He emphasizes aftercare and tailors it to your needs. Have your questions ready for him at each visit. He spends enough time with you at each visit to discuss anything you need to discuss. I rate him highly.

HE WAS VERY CHEERFUL , BUT FAST HIS OFFIC E STAFF IS VERY SLOW. I ONLY SAW HIM ONCE 3 WEEKS AGO NOW , HIS OFFICE TELLS ME AS OF THE END OF THE YEAR HE NO LONGER TAKES MY HMO. I WAS VERY UPSET AS HE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO DO MY SURGERY NOW. I FEEL AS THOUGH I WENT ALL THE WAY TO BALTIMORE TO SEE HIM FOR NOTHING.IT TOOK ME 6 WEEKS TO GET AN APPOINTMENT WITH HIM . SO I WAIT AND SEARH FOR ANOTHER DR.