University of Minnesota Physicians Bariatric Center

I had my first initial appointment with Dr. Ikramuddin on January 17, 2001. After receiving a warm handshake and comforting smile, I immediately felt that he was a warm and caring person. He and the nurse talked with me for about a 1/2 hour about my medical background, the procedure and my reasons for wanting to have the surgery. Dr. Ikramuddin and his staff made me feel more confident in my decision to have the surgery. The only downside to my initial appointment was that I had to wait almost 2 hours for the Dr. to come into the office, but I understand he is very busy. Dr. Ikramuddin and the nurse explained that you must have lifelong aftercare following the surgery. I am ready to have the surgery and begin my journey to good health.

I have only met him once and he seems to be
very friendly, and genuinly concerned.

I cant say enough about how wonderful Dr Ikramuddin was....and continues to be. He is at every support group meeting.
My surgery was difficult but he hung in there and completed the lap procedure.

First met with Dr. Schauers/ Dr. Ikramuddin's office on Nov. 1. Staff is very busy, but very caring and helpful. My wife, who was not in favor of surgery, attended this appointment with me. After metting with Beth (Nurse) her opinion changed. This gave me the final courage and resolve to go ahead with this journey! Thank you Beth! We then met with Dr. I. He is very easy going. He was very informative and compassionate. He covered everything in great detal. After this, I went for all of my pre-op testing completed pretty quickly. Thanks to Beth (again!!) I was able to get a surgery date for Jan. 26, 2001. This was important because my wife is due in May, and I want to be back to full strength for her.

He's a great surgeon--there are others who have gone before me that have nothing but positive things to say about him. My first impression was never negative.

Very helpful, nice, encouraging.

Nothing.

One of the best.

Much emphasis.

Yes. Therapy also.

There are risks--so is being too heavy!

Excellent

Both great.

I haven't met Dr. Ikramuddin yet. My first appoint will be on August 30'th. I can't wait to meet him and his staff. UPDATE Dr. Ikramuddin is the kindest doctor that I have ever met in my life. Not too bad on the eyes either!!!! His staff is very nice and helpful. I would recommend him to anyone that is looking into this surgery. He really seems to care about his patients.

My primary surgeon was Sayeed Ikramuddin MD of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He is an associate of Phillip Schauer MD. Both are highly skilled lap surgeons and members of the ASBS. My first impression of Dr Ikramuddin was of a soft spoken, compassionate man, as it was also with Dr Schauer. As a highly-skilled surgeon I hold him and Dr Schauer in very high regard.

My impression over time did not waver as to the skill and compassion of either of my surgeons. The surgical group holds a monthly support group meeting which is attended by the doctors and their nurse practitioner, and two nurse coordinators, both of whom have also had weight loss surgery. Their knowledge and compassion is always available to their patients, and many of the support group attendees who are patients of other area surgeons who do not have any support in place for their own patients. They are very compassionate to the emotions of their obese patients, and truly delight in the happiness of their post-op successes. My impression over time has only cemented my first impression that these were the best people for me to turn my life over to. I was correct.

The office staff is always courteous, although sometimes they are overworked. They are extremely busy. In my case, the staff helped push me though quicker than ordinary channels after going to them for a second opinion when the original surgeon I saw had a staff so inept they lost all of my papers. They showed me a light in one of the darkest times of my life, and I am grateful.

There is nothing that I have found disappointing about my choice of surgeons or staff, aside from the hours one may spend in their waiting room.

Future patients should know that if they are considering Doctors Schauer and Ikramuddin as weight loss surgeons that they are choosing among some of the most highly skilled surgeons available to them, and definately some of the most compassionate.

Aftercare is done in the form of six week checkups, immediate availability for urgent matters, telephone consultation with their very knowledgable medical staff, and a monthly support group.

They absolutely address the risks of the surgery itself, and the realistic expectations that one can have if they work with the surgery. A consultation with a nutritionist and with a psychologist is required in the pre-operative phase.

In an overall rating I would rate them as an example of what the gold-standard in weight loss surgeons should be as far as competence, skill and compassion. I was and still am very well taken care of.

The whole experience of meeting the doctor and his staff has been wonderful. They are all very kind and so encouraging! I hope to be scheduled for surgery within 2 months.

My surgeon was Dr. Sayeed Ikramuddin and my first impression of him was that he was a quiet man who had a dry sense of humor and not overly friendly. I am SO glad I was WRONG about him. He is so pleasant, talks to his patients as long as they want, answers any and all questions and remembers what you tell him. He treats you with respect and kindness and I would recommend him to ANYONE!
His staff are often overworked and tired but have always been good to me (although that is not always the case--my friend went to them and was treated rudely by some staff-did not see Dr. Ikramuddin but briefly saw Dr. Schauer).
There are support group meetings the first wednesday of every month and they are truly the best!! There are always 50-75 people there and you leave feeling so inspired and uplifted. At least one of the 2 surgeons and one or both nurses and the nurse practioner attend these meetings and answer all our questions. The meetings are for anybody--preops, postops from different doctors, different procedures (VBG) there are no people turned away.
I would rate Dr. Ikramuddin a 9+ (my only complaint was that I didn't see either surgeon the 2 days in the hospital--saw a million residents and interns though. I wouldn't go home until I saw one of the surgeons so Dr. Ikramuddin ran down from another hospital to check me out.) He has more than made up for the lack of visits in the post op care. So uplifting to my spirits and complimentary--boosting a very sagging self confidence and self esteem state.
Surgical competence and post op care are the greatest. If you want a great, exceptional surgeon--go to Dr. Ikramuddin!!! Tell him I sent you :)

I met Dr. Ikramuddin at September's Support Group Meeting. He was very helpful and imformative. I have my first doctor's appointment with him on October 11, 2000. I can't wait to get things started. I only worry about getting the surgery approved.