Johns Hopkins Obesity Surgery Center Bariatric Center

Dr. Steele is a wonderful person as well as an excellent surgeon.rnrnAnd, she is a pusher. She was on the ward the day after making sure I was getting up already. rnrnShe was also a stickler for aftercare making sure you had your protein mixes and prescriptions before you even came to the hospital for surgery. She was also very emphatic about keeping in the right amount of protein and fluid. rnrnI liked the idea of the visiting nurse checking on me for the first couple of weeks and making sure things were on task so even though you were kicked out of the hospital a little early, the aftercare was there.rnrnThe risks were explained very well and I am still glad I have the sleeve versus the gastric bypass as I know my limitations.rnrnMy only issue was the idea of getting in the protein when you were only supposed to have a spoon or a few sips of anything you comsumed in the first couple of weeks and maybe the surgeon should emphasize that the chances of that actually happening aren't always 100%. rnrnI would recommend her highly and I believe that a combination of surgical competence and bedside manner is what helps a patient leave the hospital intent on being successful in their goals.rnrnThanks again!!!

My first impression of Dr. Steele is okay I guess. I was far from wowed like I was when I first met Dr Kilgman from University of Maryland, however, I think that may be more my fault than hers. I have been courting this surgery for five years, and always something happens to disqulify me, I'll get moved to a different state (military spouse) and have to start over, or I'll lose my insurance and when I get it back I have to start over. Never the less I keep trying, I know this surgery can save my life, at a bare minimum improve the qulit of it, however Dr. Steele was not pleased that I wasn't to know how long from the time I met with her the forst time untill the surgury could be scheduled.

Doctor Steele's bedside manner is personable and puts you at ease. I love her and her entire staff. Everyone worked as a team to get you ready for surgery and the support after surgery is outstanding. Dr. Steele is very serious (as she should be) about this surgical procedure and ensures that her patients are educated on the pros and cons. I would rate Dr. Steele a 12 out of 10.

I met with Dr. Magnuson in November last year. I was impressed with his no nonsense approach. He was straightforward, kind, and did not seem at all concerned about the difficulties of operating on someone who had had previous abdominal surgeries. (I had aortic bilateral fem-fem iliac-iliac bypass graft after a botched back surgery and subsequent abdominal hernia repair times two then a left nephrectomy also related to the graft - it was impinging on the ureter and damaged my kidney because of back flow.) rnrnI loved his office staff; they just are calm, seem to know what they are doing, seem confident and really know their stuff.rnrnAt this point, the only negative thing was that they said I did not have to meet with him again before surgery and I would have liked my family to meet with him so I wish I had brought them with me. They are so worried. I am not though. I would rather not live than be like this.

I love my surgeon, Kimberley Steele. She really cares about her patients. She also is a skilled surgeon. So far, my stomach has been doing great. She saw me many times while i was in the hospital and when i was freaking out afterwards, she asked a couple people to come and talk to me so I thought that was great. overall, my experiences with her have been great.rnrnSince then, during my struggle to eat right after surgery, she has been aggressive in making sure I stay on track, wanting to see me every two weeks until I feel more confident. She really wants her patients to succeed. I couldn't have asked for a better surgeon. I am so happy to have found her and had my RNY.

I had visited Dr. Schweitzer's website and read some of this site's comments about him before I ever saw him, so I was prepared for his business-like approach to things. In no way would I call him touchy-feely. When I made the consultation appointment, his office staff made me aware of what old X-rays and hospital records he'd need to review, so I came prepared with them, plus some questions of my own. This helped immensely in moving things speedily along. I knew that I wanted to have a duodenal switch done, if my prior surgical history would allow it, and Dr. Schweitzer was able to say 'yes' before I left the initial meeting.rnHis manner is businesslike, but I never felt like I was being rushed or that my questions were being marginalized in any way.rnThe support group that meets monthly at Johns Hopkins Bayview is first-rate and no one should try to do bariatric surgery without attending a couple of pre-op meetings and many, many post-op meetings, no matter where their surgery was done. I personally attend meetings at 2 different hospitals so I can talk to others like me on a regular basis.rnDr. Schweitzer, or his physician's assistant, personally sees you at 3 month intervals after the surgery for the first year, then at 6-month intervals. They encourage you to email or phone with any questions or concerns in between visits.rnDr. Schweitzer's surgical competence is first-rate. As I was full of morphine at the time, I'd have to say his bedside manner was fine, if a little distant - for as much as I can remember of it. He did remember to answer a question I'd had about what my insides looked like, even though my attention span wasn't as sharp as it might have been right then.rnrn4/21/2008 - I have continued to see Dr. Schweitzer for follow-up visits over the past 3 years. The 2nd and 3rd years he wanted to see me every 6 months, but now that I've hit the 3 year mark with no problems and continuing good bloodtest results, I've graduated to seeing him yearly! I have always liked the way he and his staff care for the health of their patients, even long after the initial surgery.

My first impression of Dr.Schweitzer was very good. He was professional, thorough in his explanations yet friendly and personable. It has been almost a year since I have seen him as I continue on this journey fighting with the insurance company. He has an awesome website smallscar.comrnthat is informative and helpful. I kind of feel like I am out on my own until I get the insurance approval. The office staff, especially Alice, was very helpful. When I sent all of my pre testing in (sleep study,EGD,UGI, 6month medically supervised diet, diabetic education etc) they were very fast in sending my info to insurance, but once it was initially denied I felt I did not get much more support. I know they must have many patients but it seems like those already in the pipeline should have contact and guidance/support in the appeal process also. We will see how it goes after my insurance approves.

I had my initial consultation Dr. Schweitzer on 03/03/008. Actually one of his surgical fellows, Dr. Gupta, did the majority of the consult going over medical history, description of the procedures, risks, etc. Dr. Shweitzer came in for a few minutes at the end of the appointment. My husband and I had attended his information session in January and I'd done extensive research and had read through his website, so I didn't really have many questions. His success rate is impressive and his percentages of leaks or deaths is better than the national average. I feel very comfortable with him as my surgeon. Additionally Teresa, the financial gal and 8 months post-op is a gem and looks GREAT!

Very nice doctor who care about what I needed to get back to a healthy lifestyle.After my surgery (1/31/08) i was in alot of pain and was asking to see the doctor on call,but dr. magnson in to see me ( it was after 12am) and made sure I was taking care of.

Dr. Schweitzer, seemed to be very professional and knowledgeable, I was already warned about his lack of warmness.rnWhich I could care less about, I just want a competent surgeon. rnHe answered all of my questions. I didn't have many due to so much research I have done on my own time. His staff is very friendsly, Especially Theresa, who is 4months postop 78lbs lighter and a ball of sunshine.rnOverall I am happy with my choice. rnHe is the best of the best. rnand JOHNS HOPKINS IS ONE OF THE BEST HOSPITALS AROUND.