Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center Hospital

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.

Horrible parking and layout. Nurses horribly overworked. Too many residents/students. Lots of miscommunication.

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.

My family had a good experience with the waiting room being clean and accomadating and the cafeteria is good.

staff was excellent and very attentive to my needs

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.

I couldn't have asked for a better hospital experience. Absolutely everyone was wonderful and so considerate. They were so comforting that I went into surgery with a calm feeling that I could never have imagined. I also asked for special considerations for my 7 year old son and they accomodated everything that I needed.

I had a small problem with ICU but once I got to the surgical floor the care was excellent. The nursing staff knew what my doctor required and took very good care of his patients.