Hans Schmidt Bariatric Surgeon MD, FACS

I had been researching bariatric surgery, and surgeons, for over a year before I was given Dr. Schmidt's name. He came highly recommended by another prominent bariatric surgeon, Dr. Michael Tarnoff, in Boston.
Dr. Schmidt is a very confident man, and rightfully so, as he is one of the best in the business. I think his good looks put me off at first, but I was somehow able to get past that, and appreciate his skill. *grin* It took a couple of visits before I felt any sort of relationship with him, but it was well worth the wait.
The office staff is efficient, and nothing out of the ordinary, good or bad, can be reported. However, the aftercare meeting with both Dr.Schmidt and Kathy was wonderful. Things that were explained to me leaving the hospital were reiterated and better understood. I tend to ask a lot of questions, and felt comfortable and welcomed to ask, regardless of their late hours.
I am currently 10 days post-op, and things could not have gone more smoothly. I know I made the right decision.

Dr. Schmidt was great he answered all my pre op questions, told me the risks, pros, cons, etc. I was warned that the staff was not too friendly but I had no issues with them at all in fact the entire office staff was very helpful. Im waiting for approval, my surgery date is June 24th, 2005.

Dr. Hans Schmidt is a God-send. Dr. Schmidt is sensitive, kind, caring and extremely knowledgeable and in my opinion the best surgeon around.

Many people complain about his office staff but for me I have had no problems at all with them. Plain and simple, they are swamped with work and do the best job they can to help everyone equally.

I highly reccommend Dr. Schmidt, you may have to wait a bit for him, but, it's not like you put the weight on over night so you might as well wait a bit for the best!

As a nurse, I thoroughly researched all bariatric surgeons available. I worked with a nurse who used Dr. Schmidt at Hackensack and she lost over l00 lbs. and looks and feels wonderful. I cared for a patient who had bypass surgery by another doctor, located closer than Dr. Schmidt. The woman ended up with a colostomy and eventually died. From this experience I knew I didn't want to have a bypass (higher risks involved)and I knew Dr. Schmidt was like Dunkin Donuts "worth the trip!" People couldn't believe I drove 2 hours each way to see Dr. Schmidt. I would fly to see him if I had to, he's that good. Since my surgery 2 other nurses at work have gone to Dr. Schmidt(one had lapband, one bypass) and they look wonderful and with no complications. One has lost over l00 lbs and one close to loo. I've gone from 207 to l72 and still losing. I've stopped taking glucophage (for diabetes), bextra (for arthritis pain), welchol (for high cholesterol), norvasc (for high blood pressure) ,just taking synthroid for hypothyroidism. I feel so much better, my energy is high, my health is l00% improved. Did you ever see the movie "schindler's list", a man who saved thousands of jews during the holocaust? Well someone should make a movie about Dr. Schmidt and call it "Dr. Schmidt's list", it would include all the people he "saved" from years of illness and surely early deaths due to obesity-related illnesses. I'm so grateful and happy to be on that list.

Seminar 2/05 -
I like his forward approach on surgery.

3-31-05 -
So I had my first consultation visit with Dr Schmidt and he is very confident about his work (good). I asked a lot of question and concerns and he answered all of them (good or bad). I am still on the fence if I want to get the operation and I have to be sure this is what I want but it looks good so far. I had to cancel the original surgery date (a date that I do not like) to the end of the month; they will get back to be.

My first impression of Dr. Schmidt was that he was extremely confident in what he does as a surgeon. My impression of him remained the same as he was prepared and ready to go, at the appointed time. All that worked with him took equally good care of me. No problems with the staff so far. I will find out more about the aftercare program as time goes on so I will address that at a later date.

Dr. Schmidt was not the first surgeon I met. My husband is a physician, and he had recommended me to see Dr. Schmidt, but being obstinate, I met with others first. He was, however, the last and best. I felt an immediate understanding of my problems and concerns. Dr. Schmidt spends a tremendous amount of time explaining and teaching, and encourages questions.

His office staff is very knowledgeable and helpful. He has a nurse practitioner in the office whenever patients are in, and she is not just an expert, but a patient as well.

There is also a nutritionist on staff, who not only meets with all patients, but shares her email address, and promptly responds to questions and concerns.

My only office complaint is in scheduling. They are quite busy, and getting an appointment at a good time in a short time can be difficult.

After having the surgery, and now, at 10 months post-op and at my goal weight, I understand why hubby wanted me to use Dr. Schmidt, and why he continues to send his patients to him (he is a pulmonologist, and has many morbidly obese patients with sleep apnea.)

My recovery was swift and uneventful. It went so well that my sister-in-law went to him 2 months later and is also doing fantastically!

Dr. Schmidt is extremely skilled - his complication rate is extremely low, and his experience level is the highest I have found. (as a nurse, I did my homework, too!)
In both surgical skill and bedside manner, he can't be beat.

Well I went to the seminar at the hospital. It was very informative. The surgeons all spoke ant they were very direct to the point. They were good at answering questions. I chose Dr. Schmidth because he had more experience than the others. He seemed to be a genuine person. The staff members are mostly on the job. They are not overly friendly but they are kind. I did not like the fact that I went to have my first visit with him and he was not there, another Dr was there to explain and answer any questions that I had. Nevertheless, I understood that he was caught up at the hospital and I let go of my annoyance.

Dr. Schmidt was great as well as his partners. My impression only improved. Office staff was knowledgeable and very helpful. Future patients should feel comfortable and confident they are in great hands. Aftercare was discussed over and over again to make me comfortable. I felt after all the research I had done, that Dr. Schmidt presented the por's and con's very well and clear. A 10, the entire experience has been great. Both are a moust for a successful Dr.

Besides the informal seminar which was held in Hackensack Hospital and contained many people, I have personally met with him once.

My first impression of him at the seminar was that of professionalism combined with knowledge and humanity. Although I asked no questions other people did and he and his partners answered each and everyone of them to my satisfaction.

When I met him at his office he appeared to be all the above and likable. 99% of my questions were asked by others and answered by Dr. Schmidt and his partners at the seminar so there really wasn't much conversation on my part in his office. He answered the "risks of surgery" questions along with the mortality rate without me even asking. I liked that, with no questions asked, he allowed my wife in his office for moral support.

Dr. Schmidt's office staff seemed rather distant at first but the more that I interacted with them the more friendly they became which really made me feel comfortable. It's always good to see humanity show it's self through professionalism. The staff balances both very well.

Future patients should be aware that Dr. Schmidt appears to be young, perhaps under 40 so don't be startled. He has done many surgeries and I have no doubt whatsoever that he is up on all of the latest procedures and technology.