Johns Hopkins Obesity Surgery Center Bariatric Center
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I had my first consult today!! Dr schweitzer was so nice and he answered all my questions, half before I even asked them. He went over all the types of surgery and which ones he does and why! He is going to be moving closer to me In Baltimore at Sinai hospital so more likely then not I will have to wait until he moves in July to have my surgery. Although 4 months is a long wait, I want the best surgeon for me, which I am convinced is Dr Schweitzer. He is kinda young looking but is very experienced! He even pretty much talked my mom into having surgery! I just can't believe that sometime soon I will have a new body and life!!!
UPDATE-03/21/01-I called to see if my letter was sent to my insurance and it had been faxed today! So I will just wait and see what happens next. Maybe an April date is possible!!!!
UPDATE-03/22/01-I am approved!!! My surgery date is April 25,2001!! Thank you Dr S and Cintricia for putting up with me!!!
I thought he was a very kind man. He has a great manner and is very positive. He is a man of few words but will answer all the questions that you ask him. The day that I went to see him was the day that he moved offices so things were a bit out of sorts but his nurse and assistant Geri were great. I think that people should know that it is very hard to make an appointment with him but it is well worth the wait. He has a before and after care program that he makes all his patients go through which is good for all involved. He also has a support group that has a great member host. I will go to my first appointment on March 6th. The support group has a special time for pre-ops. He was very honest about all the surgical risk but the strengths are out numbered more then the risks. I can't rate him yet but will when I see him again, after I get approval. I think a good doctor is ok but a great doctor has the right mix of Surgical Competence, Bedside Manner and Personality.
I thought he's kinda young looking.
I asked a few of his co-workers about him and
they all said good things.
For the most part his staff has been fairly average.
I wish he had told me about this web site sooner.
He's very confident in his work and trys to make
himself available to his post op patients.
I'm still going through the aftercare part, so
I can't rate that at this time. I was given a
booklet to follow, but I still could use some
more help. I'm seeking my own nutritionist at
this time and it was given to me through his office
and she (Linda Aills) referred me to this web
site. We went over the risks fairly quickly,
mostly because I'd already researched it and the
whole Carnie Wilson story just cinched it for
me. She and I had all the same symptons and
everything. Even the same zodiac sign.
So far I'll go with surgical competence.
I met with Dr. Magnuson very briefly. He's very nice and seems to know his business. My appointment was extremely brief with no real physical exam. He gave me some very informative handouts and answered any and all questions thoroughly. I was rather disappointed in that this was just a brief face to face meeting rather than any forward motion or a physical exam. It was frustrating finding his office as it had moved on campus but eventually we got there in one piece.
I now have to contact his secretary who people seem to have a lot of good things to say about so I'm looking forward to meeting her! The staff in the office seemed to be somewhat frazzled and disorganized but that could be because of their recent move. We'll see over time ;) They were all very, very nice and helpful despite being extremely busy. Please check your forms before signing.. mine was filled with inacuracies up to and including who my doctor is!
I'm glad I made him my choice. I have a lot of confidence in Johns Hopkins and also in Dr. Magnuson.
I have only met Dr. Magnuson once so far. I really liked him. He was friendly and understanding, not at all judgemental. He took time to explain everything to me. I went with my husband and he also liked him alot and thought he was very professional and kind. I have spoken with his secretary who was also very friendly and cooperative. She seemed to really understand the ins and outs of getting insurance approval.
Good first impression. Answered all my questions and will answer any additional ones I come up with via e-mail or phone. Staff fine.
Dr. Magnuson has been wonderful so far! He's
explained things in detail and answered many
questions. His office staff are wonderful!
I'll update more after surgery (4/4/01)
Dr. Schweitzer is an outstanding surgeon. He performs LAP RNY and trains others around the country in this procedure.
At this point in his career (Dec.,2000) and being fairly new to Georgetown University Medical Center, he has very little arranged in the way of pre and post op information, nutrition, or follow-up care. For a patient who is highly self-motivated, well-researched, and willing to find alternative resources, he's terrific. Other patients could well "fall through the cracks" without proper couseling, nutrition, and support services.
Approval for surgery took a while because the Dr.'s office didn't send the proper information to the insurance company (or so the insurance company claimed).
Dr. S's assistant, Sentresia, was always courteous, responsive, and familiar with my situation.
Surgery went off great and I was up and moving in no time. I saw no evidence of "cold fish" personality described in other reports, although he wouldn't be described as "warm fuzzy" on first meeting. This was not important to me. After surgery we found him to be caring and humorous.
Currently, I'd rate highly overall. I don't know what might happen with future problems or follow-up care, so I'll post more in the future.
Dr. Schweitzer is now at Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, DC. Everything I have heard about him suggests that he is a more than competent surgeon.