Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center Hospital

My first impression was good. My husband and i liked him and there was no doubt he was the one for my surgery. Iv only seen him once so not sure about the lone road ahead but i have confidence. His office on the other hand was a mess and they never answer the phone. Hopefully this doesnt present a problem in the future. He did a great job so far of explaining the surgery and the confidence level he had made a great impression for me.

excellent hospital, very trained in needs of WLS

My first impression was that the Dr. was exceptionally knowledgeable, not overly friendly or interested in me personally. But pleasant enough. Nice nurses and PA.rnrnHis office staff was and still is terrible. I have nothing positive to say about them. His PA is wonderful, which is good since she is the only one I have seen since my surgery.rnrnIf you need aftercare -This is not the practice for you. I do not live near his practice, so I am unable to attend the hospitals support group. When I have gone for my 3,6 & 9 month checkups, it just seems like I they are going thru the motions. I am very confident in his surgical competence and would recommend him to my mother or sister.rnrnI would rate his surgical ability a 10 out of 10, but his office staff a -10.rnrnThese are just my personal observations and of course everyone will have a different view.

During the consult I was upset with Dr S. I explained which surgery I wanted then in one sentence he said it wasn't for me. I sat there with my lips poked out the rest of the consult while he was explaining RNY. He then asked if I had any questions. Once explaining all the reasons and research I had for DS he apologized for the quick assumption and we decided on the DS.

Dr. Schweitzer was very professional and very through. His staff ws very nice. On the day of my surgery he was very reassuring and made sure he answered any questions. The OR nurse Gia and the Anesthesiologists were wonderful and explained axactly what would happen. rnrnPost surgery the residents were very gentile and checked on me.

I found the Hospital to be clean, it is being renovated inside once that is complete it will be wonderful. My room was nice and I had a private room.

I honestly cannot give enough praise to this surgeon and his team at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. First, his office staff (specifically, Alice Cooper, his admin contact) is extremely helpful with the insurance approval process. Once I met with Dr. Schweitzer, my first impression was that he was friendly and makes a real effort to explain everything so that you understand what you're signing up for. His office visits are very brief - he might spend 3 minutes with you, if that - but his surgical competence far outweighs any faults that I could think of.rnrnHe saved my life ... literally. I'd had problems with bleeding (lost 6 pints) immediately following the surgery. Dr. Schweitzer had already left the hospital just after my operation, headed out on vacation, but came back to the hospital when he learned that I was having complications. He and Dr. Kimberlie Steele took me back into surgery and restitched everything. They helped me pull through. Dr. Steele monitored my recovery, and she was very attentive and supportive. I would recommend both of them to anyone who is seeking WLS surgeon.

I love this hospital and the staff and was very pleased with my stay.

I had visited Dr. Schweitzer's website and read some of this site's comments about him before I ever saw him, so I was prepared for his business-like approach to things. In no way would I call him touchy-feely. When I made the consultation appointment, his office staff made me aware of what old X-rays and hospital records he'd need to review, so I came prepared with them, plus some questions of my own. This helped immensely in moving things speedily along. I knew that I wanted to have a duodenal switch done, if my prior surgical history would allow it, and Dr. Schweitzer was able to say 'yes' before I left the initial meeting.rnHis manner is businesslike, but I never felt like I was being rushed or that my questions were being marginalized in any way.rnThe support group that meets monthly at Johns Hopkins Bayview is first-rate and no one should try to do bariatric surgery without attending a couple of pre-op meetings and many, many post-op meetings, no matter where their surgery was done. I personally attend meetings at 2 different hospitals so I can talk to others like me on a regular basis.rnDr. Schweitzer, or his physician's assistant, personally sees you at 3 month intervals after the surgery for the first year, then at 6-month intervals. They encourage you to email or phone with any questions or concerns in between visits.rnDr. Schweitzer's surgical competence is first-rate. As I was full of morphine at the time, I'd have to say his bedside manner was fine, if a little distant - for as much as I can remember of it. He did remember to answer a question I'd had about what my insides looked like, even though my attention span wasn't as sharp as it might have been right then.rnrn4/21/2008 - I have continued to see Dr. Schweitzer for follow-up visits over the past 3 years. The 2nd and 3rd years he wanted to see me every 6 months, but now that I've hit the 3 year mark with no problems and continuing good bloodtest results, I've graduated to seeing him yearly! I have always liked the way he and his staff care for the health of their patients, even long after the initial surgery.

My first impression of Dr.Schweitzer was very good. He was professional, thorough in his explanations yet friendly and personable. It has been almost a year since I have seen him as I continue on this journey fighting with the insurance company. He has an awesome website smallscar.comrnthat is informative and helpful. I kind of feel like I am out on my own until I get the insurance approval. The office staff, especially Alice, was very helpful. When I sent all of my pre testing in (sleep study,EGD,UGI, 6month medically supervised diet, diabetic education etc) they were very fast in sending my info to insurance, but once it was initially denied I felt I did not get much more support. I know they must have many patients but it seems like those already in the pipeline should have contact and guidance/support in the appeal process also. We will see how it goes after my insurance approves.