Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center Hospital

MY FIRST IMPRESSION OF DR SCHWEITZER ... HE WAS A VERY KNOWLEDGABLE ABOUT WLS.
HE ANSWERED ALL OF MY QUESTIONS (LOTS OF THEM!)
HE DID NOT RUSH ME. HE HAS A STAFF MEMEBER ASK MANY PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS.

YOU ALSO FILL OUT AND READ INFO BEFORE YOU SEE HIM.

I FELT VERY GOOD WHEN I LEFT HIS OFFICE.

THEY HAVE A GREAT SCALE ALSO!

MERRY (SECRETARY) WAS EXCELLENT ....I THINK SHE IS THE MOST PATIENT PERSON I KNOW!

I HAVE NOTHING BAD TO SAY SO FAR ...KNOCK ON WOOD.

I couldn't have had a better stay. Everyone was very accomodating and very friendly. Couldn't have asked for a better stay.

I've been in this hospital many times before this and I've always found it to be unfriendly and usually dirty.

Dr. S was very personalble and informative. He took time to answer our questions. His staff is great. Pat the PA is great. Merry (his secretary) is (I truly believe this) an angel. She should be showed with gifts. Dr. S emphasizes aftercare, but warns that this surgery will not fix bad habits. He addressed all parts of the process.I do think it is important to mention that he has strict protocol for getting out informationa and uses many people and modes to get different aspects of information to you. This leads me to judge not him personal but the whole office that he has set up. At this time I truly have had a positive experience. I will update after the procedure when I have had more contact with him.

The nursing care I received was for the most part very poor. My first night in the hospital I was told I needed to sit up in a chair. It took 2 hours to be brought a chair I could use. If I hadn't pushed the issue they would have let me lie in bed all night. The nurses have way too many patients to take care of at one time. Very often the new nurse would come and introduce herself (but not always) and would say she would be back to check on me but she would NEVER return. The morning after surgery I was in pain and very uncomfortable and I just wanted to get out of bed. Over half an hour went by before my call was even responded to. It felt like an eternity. The compression booties were not working the second night I was there and the nurse didn't even know it (Rowena). She put them on and never checked them. I brought to another nurse's attention (Lisa) the fact that my IV was starting to feel hard. She never checked it. I'm grateful I was able to get around as well as I could because if I had to rely on the nurses more than I had to I would've been even more miserable. I'm glad my husband was able to be there with me most of the time to help me.

9/10/03 - though I was/have been one of his most complicated and difficult cases - he really took good care of me. I would recommend him to everyone in the Baltimore Metro area. Its good to know if things go bad you know you can count on your doctor to go the extra mile. I loved him - he was incredible. He saved my life (in more ways than one)

I know a lot of things have changed (office, fees, staff) but when it comes right down to it, don't you want the most qualified surgeon doing yours?
I am having more surgury at the begining of next year - which includes several severe hernia repairs a tummy tuck and Dr. S is going to take my gallbladder out all at the same time. I am sure everything with him will get fine.
Sharon M
before weight (1/28/02) 316lbs
current weight (9/10/03) 150 lbs
POUNDS LOST 166 lbs!!!!!!






1/24/02 - everything is finally approved - BE ADVISED if you go with Dr. Schweitzer, make sure you are prepared to do most of the work to get approved by you insurance. You NEED to keep on top of paper work and contact the insurance company directly. (If I hadn't called the insurance company I would never have found out they sent a letter to the Dr. office and they didn't get it!) I wouldn't be having surgury this Monday if I didn't take matters into my own hand. Good Luck - feel free to e-mail me if you have questions (if you want to know anything about Dr. Scweitzer or his office)
BTW.. HE IS EXCEPTIONAL!

12/2/01 - I have switched yet again! I just keep asking myself, why have it open if there is a reputable person that will do it lap? So many recommendations - I just have to give myself as much opportunity as possible. This is a huge step I am taking and I have to do what is best for me. I am not good with pain at all. Surgury is still set for January!


12-13-01
I have decided to switch to Dr. Roe. I think his office staff is wonderful and have heard so much positive feed back. He has a wonderful support system which includes meetings in face and yahoo groups. The people actually come visit you. Dawn, the program director got me the approval, she is just incredible! January 8 is my big day!!




I met Dr. Schweitzer the other day. I had wanted him to do the surgury orig. but I couldn't get an appointment with him for 2 months so I met with someone else. I was going to have the other Dr. do the surgury but kept my appointment with Dr. Schweitzer and I am so glad I did.
I was a little taken back by how young he looks but I had heard that about him before I went in. You really have to have an open mind when you go in.
I was not impressed with his office staff at all. I take this all very seriosly and I was irritated by the lack of knowledge or experience the person at the front desk had.
Also, I wasn't sure how through he was about getting information from me. Once I told him I already had insurance approval and a surgury date already set, he was ready to wrap it up. On the other hand, I think he didn't want to insult my intellegence either. Obviosly if I have gotten that far I pretty much know what I am doing.
Over all, I am happy and looking forward to the surgury.

Overall, I was pleased with the surgical care I received, the OT followup and the dietician. I was not that pleased with the nursing staff and the attention I received and the equipment used during the postop period. But I would use this hospital again if I needed to undergo another procedure.

I was very pleased with my surgeon. The initial consultation was thorough, and Dr. Schweitzer listened and heard what I had to say. He really emphasized the aftercare, and made sure I understood the operation and it's risks. He answered all my questions patiently, and took his time to ensure I was ready for this operation. The day of the operation was no different. He was there to answer questions and did not think that I was being childish by asking him not to do staples. He just laughed and assured me he uses stiches and tape. Afterwards, in the hospital, he came in for brief visits, but nothing lengthy. He would be one I would rate the surgical competence as the greater skill, but I was satisfied with both. Now, his secretary/assistant Merry was really nice to work with. I was so sure I was going to drive her crazy with my questiosn and requests for papers to fill out, but she was very patient and very helpful.

The care I received at Johns Hopkins Bayview was OUTSTANDING!!!! I spent 2 nights in intensive care and went home the afternoon of the 3rd day. I never made it to a regular room 1. because they didn't have one and 2. because I was doing so good I could go home. The nurses were there whenever I needed them and even came in just to talk to me and see if I was O.K. One nurse even gave me a crystal lite to drink when I was allowed since I was sent regular lemonade.

My first impression was that Dr. Schweitzer was confident,very business like, didn't want to mess around with alot of B.S. That if you've made up your mind about having surgery then lets get on with the process of getting you approved. My PCP has a great deal of trust in him and I trust his judgement.

I have only seen him once so I don't have a second impression,yet.

The staff was very nice and helpful. I didn't have to wait long, which I thought was great!

Dr. Schweitzer told me to make the necessary appointments with the dietician and psych.