Daniel Gagne Bariatric Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S.

I meet with Dr Gagne June 14. My first impression was what a kind , wonderful, understanding surgeon. He has a great staff. and a Physican Assitant julie that is beyond patient. I am very impressed with the staff they are all friendly and out going. I am schuduled for surgery July 30 2002. A new beginning.
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Their is nothing negative that I can say about this Surgeon or his staff. They only issue that I would like to bring foward to any one reading this that still think about the surgery. IS. Call now for an appointment you will have a time rethink before your appointment. I hear the appointments are almost a year waiting time.
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Ok I changed surgeons. I have my first appt on May 31.I was on 2 dr list and Dr Schauer at the time had a lighter schudule and more infomration. My insurance company United Healthcare did not have Dr Schaurer as partcipating surgeon
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Dr Schaurer Information
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I made my first call to his office Thanksgiving week
2001. I was told I would recieve a package with information. The package arrived Dec 16. I read through the information. I finally got up the nerve to complete the basic information on Dec 24 2001.
I recieved a call from his office Dec 26 2001, but missedthe call. It looks like their is a issue with my insurance.
I am waiting for them to return my return call.
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The New Year is just beginning I recieved a call from Dr Schauer Office advising my insurance coverage does not cover UPMC or Dr Schauer.
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1/10/02 Hey I got a call from Dr Schauer, somehow I am still on the list. They are calling to schudule appointment to
meet the doctors. I am happy and confused. I thought my insurance does not cover UPMC or Dr Schauer. I spoke with Ruth she is very nice. She said call my insurance to double check she believes United is covered. I will check and see. She also suggest I attending the informal meeting with the surgeons, doctor and staff."yippee". I am scared and maybe on my way.

DR GAGNE IS A VERY FRIENDLY,KNOWLEDGEABLE AND CONCERNED DOCTOR. HE IS VERY CONFIDENT ABOUT THE WORK HE DOES AND TAKES GREAT PRIDE IN INSURING HIS PATIENTS WELL BEING. I FEEL I'M IN GOOD HANDS AND WITH GOD I'M SURE I WILL HAVE A SUCCESSFUL SURGERY. JULIE THE PHYSICIANS ASSISTANT IS ALSO WONDERFUL AND THEY ARE ALWAYS WILLING TO ANSWER QUESTIONS AND MAKE YOU FEEL AT EASE. THE OFFICE IS NEVER CROWDED AND THE WAIT FROM MY FIRST APPOINTMENT TO SURGERY WAS NOT LONG. THE OFFICE STAFF IS SOMETIMES NOT THE NICEST PEOPLE OVER THE PHONE. DR GAGNE DOES GO OVER THE RISKS INVOLVED AND HE MAKES IT CLEAR THAT HE CAN ONLY MAKE THE PHYSICAL CHANGES EVERYTHING ELSE WILL BE ON YOUR WILL AND DETERMINATION. I JUST CAN'T BELIEVE IT IS FINALLY HERE JUNE 17TH!!!

When I went for my first appointment, Dr. Gagne was in the same office with our family surgeons. Thats when I felt comfortable with my decision to do this. But when I met him, thats when I knew he was the right doctor,for me.He made me fill good about surgery. He explained everything, all the good along with what could go wrong. Took all the time needed to answer questions, as busy as he is,I felt like I was his only patient. His PA Julie is every bit as nice. She to will take time to anwser any questions you may have.
The third monday of each month, Dr. Gagne and Julie hold a support group meeting at West Penn Hospital at 6:00pm.
Julie presents a slide show of what to expect and how the surgery is done. Then it questions and answer time.

I was most impressed by Dr. Gagne.
I will have to enter additional information after my surgery. Dr. Gagne is now starting a support group for his patients.

I had my consultation on June 27 with Dr. Gagne. I was very impressed. He is very kind, compassionate and informative. He doesn't tell you just what you want to hear. He tells you the good and the bad. I had my surgery on Aug. 9, 2001. My sister had surgery 4 days after me. She has had some major complications. He has been great. He has kept us informed and updated. He is a very compassionate man. Believe me, my sister has been in ICU for over 2 weeks and it is important to have a surgeon that is compassionate. Dr. Gagne is a wonderful surgeon. I would highly recommend him.

I had my first consult w/ Dr. Gagne yesterday and came away with a very good impression of him and the staff that I spoke to. He took the time to answer my whole page full of questions, and also to explain the surgery to me, the risks, and what he would do specifically based on my weight. They were on-time (actually, they took me a little early!) and I met with his PA, as well as the woman who schedules the surgery, and even the insurance person who discussed with me what I would need for approval. It made me feel very comfortable that all these people seemed to know what they were doing! My only suggestion would be to research your vitamins. I'm planning on using a different form of calcium (citrate), and adding iron.

I was very impressed with Dr. Gagne and his staff. They were wonderful even considering all the pestering I did to have my appt. moved up. The girls in the office were wonderful. My appt. for consult did get moved up and I had my appt. on May 19 and was scheduled for surgery ond Aug. 13.I really appreciated how he went over all of his experiences with some of his patients who may have had difficulties. I know through prayer I found this man to do my surgery(also my sister,4 days before me).Every time we went to his office we were taken right on time.(1st miracle) Showed much concern in hospital before and after surgery and also to my family. I don't have enough space here to tell you how wonderful this Dr. has been!

I've only had first interview. Everything seemed very positive and they were very nice.
I think they covered most everything I was expecting to hear. I had input from Rose Collins who is a member here. Some of the pre-op testing will not be a problem because of my co morbidities I've already had them or have them on going. I believe they have alot of experience with my insurance carrier ( Aetna/Us Healthcare )and feel I will have no problems with getting the OK. I will be getting a letter from my PCP, Endocrinologist,and cardiologist supporting my case. I have current EKG's,but PCP said he will give new one. I will need chest X-ray, and Gallbladder ultrasound, and recent blood work shortly before surgery.
As far risks; they covered very thoroughly. my feelings are if I die, during or after, I've died trying to save my life.
I'm looking forward to the challenge. When I got my cpap machine it changed and probably saved my life. I'm looking forward to this doing the same.

During my consultation appointment, I immediatly felt confident with Dr. Gagne. He answered all my questions in detail. He made me aware of the risks, and gave numbers concerning his record. He discribed complications and what was done to correct the situation. Because I was border-line on the BMI chart, and had no other existing problems, he felt I was a good candidate. He gave me alot of printed information to read on my own about the procedure and after care. Everthing went exactly as he said it would. I had no unexpected problems. He has a great support staff, and encouraged me to call any time. The first couple of weeks after the surgery, I called a number of times, and his assistant Julie called me back almost immediatly. He doesn't do alot of pre-testing. He doesn't feel it's necessary. At my 3 mon. check-up, his assistant went over any food questions I had, and told me they will be starting a support group. I think Dr. Gagne is a great doctor, and I had a good experience.

Dr. Gagne was patient and kind. I asked him about other surgeries he has done and his medical training. He answered all questions thoroughly and with patience. He acknowledged my concerns and addressed them. He explained his committment to laproscopic surgery, as laproscopic surgery is his specialty. He explained his educated opinion on the different weight loss surgeries available. He was not at all pushy. He took all the time I needed during our meeting. He also offered a list of names and numbers of patients who have had laproscopic roux en y surgery with him. He stated that I would need to follow up with him for at least a year after surgery. He addressed all the risks verbally and with written literature. The office staff was friendly. -- And amazingly enough he was punctual. -- Not a usual physician trait. However I was a 9 am appointment. Also, he must have received an A+ in bedside manner,at least that is my opinion thus far.