Philip Schauer Bariatric Surgeon M.D.,F.A.C.S.

My first impression of Dr. Schauer is that he is a very busy doctor. I waited over a year to have my surgery. His office staff is also very busy. I've had to leave several voice mail messages before I get a message back. Dr. Schauer is very informative about the surgery and the risks. I decided to have the LAP-BAND surgery. He has a structured aftercare program. He is the best and well worth the wait.

Dr. Schauer is a very compassionate and knowlegable surgeon. His office staff can be abrupt at times, but I understand they are very busy. He has a wonderful support group which her personally attends every month.

My first impression of Dr. Schauer was one of absolute competence and compassion. He and his staff have conveyed their support and guidance as I began this journey. I will be having my first "solo" appointment with him prior to my surgery, and I will add to this posting then, but I have to tell all of you that I was very impressed with the kinds of pre-surgical testing that he required. It seemed that every time I had one of the tests or required visits I learned more about the program and myself!
My second impression of Dr. Schauer is still very good. My husband and I attended a pre-op workshop with 5 other candidates for surgery, and alhough we had to wait several hours to speak to Dr. Schauer, he took time to go over my file with me and to answer some of the questions we both had. In addition, my husband was particularly impressed with Beth Klemm, who shared her personal experiences with all of us.

10-05-02 I had my surgery just 4 days ago. It was actually done by one of Dr. Schauer's new assistants, Dr. Mattar. He called to speak with me on Monday night, and answered all of my questions. He was very good to me during the surgery (I know because I feel really good), even though he had to deal with a rupture of my gall bladder. He called my husband with an update right after surgery and spent some time with me Wednesday morning letting me know how everything went. Great bedside manner!!!

My first impression of Dr. Schauer was that he was quite young and handsome! Like the others are saying he certainly does have a presence about him. I have not been to his office yet for a one on one appointment, but hope to be there soon!
His office staff is quite helpful, and they seem to really admire and be dedicated to Dr. Schauer, like a close knit family.
There, so far, was nothing to not like about Dr. Schauer.
Future patients should know that Dr. Schauer and his staff are extremely professional. WLS is their business, their only business.
There will be alot to learn about after care and I will update following my appointment for scheduling the surgery.
Dr. Schauer was very frank about the risks involved. There was never any controversy about how serious this operation is or the risks involved.
To soon to rate the surgeon.
The only negative aspect I have encountered is the great amount of patients that are wanting WLS. It is alarming and sad to see som many men and women with failing health and morbid obesity. I really hope this may be the answer to all related problems, but then again, it may not be.

Dr. Schauer is a top notch doctor, one of the best in the country. He truly cares about his patients and is dedicated to his profession. His staff is also wonderful, at times hard to get ahold of but has improved since I started my journey. It took me a year to get my surgery, but worth the wait because he is so skilled. He also has a wonderful support group.

I have only seen Dr. Schauer at a distant at the support groups that he have for his patients or the curious. I am interested in meeting him. He seems very nice. I am scheduled to offical meet him on 10/11/02. I do not have a good impression of his office staff. They have not been willing helpful to me since I have started my journey. I do regret giving such a negative impression of his group because I love his support meetings. I have to be nasty, forceful, abrupt everytime dealing with what information I needed to even get scheduled. They did not call back and I want to keep my information confidential and they have called my home more than once after I had asked that they only contact me at my office. I hope that they will become better at being a more supportive office staff with more staff. I have not gotten much information on aftercare even after buying a recommended book. I guess you will have to really live it to understand it. I have meet a support angel and she has given me my first bit of babyfood. I say babyfood, because I feel like a baby during this journey not really knowing. She has told me of somethings to purchase. So That is the first true help I have had. Dr. Schauer did and always do during each meeting address the risk of this surgery, and I am very informed there. At this time, I do not have a rating for him, but I hope to have one soon. I do want to say one important thing. It is really best to form your own opinions and I hope you experience starts better than mine. I also wanted to to state that these were my personal impressions of this office group and my own personal experience. His office staff are very nice during the support groups and I hope that I am on my way and will be able to build a better supportive relationship with this group.

A very kind man who takes the time to answer your questions. I feel that the program that is offered at UPMC seems to be complete with medical testing in all health issues where you have ever experienced a problem. His staff seems very knowledgeable and are on hand to answer your questions about your insurance and other areas of information. They have a structured aftercare care program that is for life. Discussed the risks of surgery. And I would rate this program very highly. My WLS date was to be Sept 3 but my stress test had an area that needed checked at so I'm scheduled for a heart cath on Sept. 4 with hopefully a surgical date within the next two weeks if all goes well. And actually I would prefer surgical competence above bedside manner but I lucked out and found both.

Dr. Schauer has everyone attend an informational meeting first. He spoke to the group as well as nurses, the doctor in charge of UPMC's weight management center, and the person in charge of obtaining the insurance referrals. Dr. Schauer was very charismatic and informative. He was direct about the possible complications but explained how we would be working together to avoid those from happening. His office recently added 2 more surgeons so the wait time is supposed to go down. I understand his surgical skills are second to none and that is why I chose him. It's an added bonus that he happens to be a very nice man and has an excellent bedside manner. My only complaint so far is the lack of communication from the office. It would seem to me that he needs to hire more support staff especially because he has added surgeons.

1. Dr. Schauer is a very approachable MD, and very concerened about all his patients. I really felt sure of my decision after meeting him.
2. My impression has not changed.
3. The office staff is ok, they are very busy and you are always getting put into someone's mailbox, and they always say they'll call you back, but they don't. Like for instance, I was in the ER on 8-21-02 and I was supposed to get a follow up appointment in one week, so I called the office and asked for a date on thursday and friday, and both times, "i'll call you back" and let's just say she did not call.
4. The thing I liked the least is how busy the poor man is.
5. Future patients should know that Dr. Schauer is a fantastic MD and very good at his work, just be ready for the wait.
6. Aftercare is very important to Dr. Schauer, and we even have monthly support group meetings, that are very informative.
7. Dr. Schauer and his nurses are very good at covering all the bases about the risks of surgery.
8. EXCELLENT

I really liked Dr.Schauer,he was very through and explained everything. His staff was very good as well. They are very friendly and can answer all questions. What I liked least about him was that I never saw him the day of my surgury. The after care is very important I will be going in on the 26th for a visit. He was very straight forward about the risks that are involved. I would rate on a scale from 1-10 probally he would get a 6. Everything was fine and I would do it again.