Michael Schweitzer Bariatric Surgeon M.D.,F.A.C.S.

I Am no longer going to use Dr Sweitzer at Hopkins. I ran into problems . he is not understanding about unforseen circumstancesrnand the staff change has caused alot of communcation problems. calls not returned One staff not aware of what other staff has said ect...rn

'Great first impression

I truly believe Dr. Schweitzer is the best and everyone I had talked to raved about him! It took 6 1/2 months for me to get an appointment as he is very busy, but was well worth the wait! He is quiet and efficient and a man of few words but then I would rather my dr. concentrate on his work than socializing with me. I found Debbie his secretary to be extremely helpful and am feeling great! He does his surgery at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center and therefore you will also see his house staff from time to time but I did see him every day I was there also. I came home feeling well-prepared to care for myself.

I liked Dr. Schweitzer very much. He cares alot about his patients and is a pioneer in his field. Im glad I made the decision to go with him.

My first impression in 2002 when my lap band was that he was a very professional Doctor and knew what he was doing. Now, almost 4 years later and with the DS under my belt, I still feel the same. He is the best there is in my opinion. Alot of people feel he is strictly business, but once you get to know him, he is a smart, fun, caring doctor who has your best interest in mind all the time. Just listen to him, and be patient. Future patients should know they are in fabulous hands, and be very confident in his abilitys. Debbie, his secretary is awesome, Pat the nurse practioner is great and they have it all together. Don't even doubt them. They rock!

I was scheduled to have WLS in August of 2004 with another well known doctor in Arlington. I was approved, paid the program fee and had a date, the only thing is that I just wasn't ready, I had no peace about it at all so I canceled the surgery. A year later after trying another "diet" and not getting very far, I knew it was time and I was ready. Now I have a different insurance and the other doctor was not on their plan so I had to start all over. After much research I decided to see Dr. Schweitzer. I felt very comfortable with him. He answered every question and did not rush me at all. When I left his office I totally felt at peace. Debbie his secretary and Pat his assistant have also been very nice and very helpful to me.

I had my surgery (Proximal RNY) on 10/13/05 and thank God have had no complications so far.

My first impression of Dr. Schweitzer was that he was very young.Considering wat I read from other postings, I was expecting him to be very to the point and not too friendly. That was not the case. I found him to be very friendly and at times funny. He was running late the day I met him ,but he did not rush me through. He answered my questions and soothed some of my fears.I especially like the fact that I can e-mail him with questions and concerns and that he will respond to me.Dr. Schweitzer stresed the importance of aftercare. This procedure is not a cure, but a tool, it can fail if you are not willing to change your current eating habits.
As with any surgery there are risksinvolved.
Dr. Schweitzer did go over the risks.
I would like my doctor to be comforting and reassuring, but 1st and foremost I want him to be surgically competent.

Dr. Schweitzer was wonderful. Very thorough. He may not be the doctor to remember you by face but he knows what he is doing in the operating room and that's what counts. His office staff is the best and very organized.

I would recommend Dr. Schweitzer to anyone. If you're looking for someone to chat with and get personal with, he's not your guy. If you're looking for someone who will shoot straight and and make sure you know what you're doing and what to expect, he's the surgeon for you. All of my interactions with him were brief but I didn't walk away with questions unanswered. And...his staff and the staff at Johns Hopkins knows what he wants for his patients and what he expects for their care and you get it. I can tell from talking to those who work with him that he is well respected. I think the thing I like most, is he doesn't take chances. He told me what was 'normal' and what I should be concerned about. Because I live so far away from the hospital, he told me that in case of problems, that I should get to his emergency room but if I can't, I am to go to my local hospital and they can transport me to Hopkins. He said the local hospitals don't understand enough about the procedure to treat me properly. I like that he is that interested in my well-being. Surgical competence was the most important thing to me and that's exactly what I got.

Dr. S was the absolute BEST!!! I'd heard that he doesn't "warm up" until after surgery; I never had that issue. He answered all my questions thoroughly and thoughtfully while I was a pre-op, he made a point of meeting my family the morning of surgery, and came out to speak to them about my progress, he visited me during my stay, and even teased me about my cute pajamas!

His office is very friendly and knowledgeable. Pat is the best! They stress the importance of asking questions, taking it slow, and having SUPPORT.

He is a wonderful surgeon (I checked him out with previous patients in Baltimore and his prior offices), and I would recommend him to anyone. As good a rapport as he and I had, I would recommend him based on his surgical competence. Not that I didn't think he had a good bedside manner - he does! But, I'd rather have a leading, skilled surgeon than a mediocre surgeon who's adept at delivering the news of his/her incompetence to my family.