Our Lady Of the Lake Regional Medical Center Hospital

During the workshop I attended Dr. Schauer spoke for about fifteen minutes. He seemed personable and was very positive and encouraging in all that he said. The rest of his staff was just as positive and encouraging. Dr. Schauer is very busy and may not be able to spend much time outside the operating room with any individual, but his knowledgable staff, will I think make up for that. Two of the other doctors in the office also introduced themselves. They seemed just as positive and encouraging as Dr. Schauer. After care is just as important as the surgery. If there is no commitment to the aftercare there is no surgery. Risks were explained several times, but always with the confidence that most risks can be lessened. Still surgery is always a risk.
So far I am just beginning the testing. It seemed to take forever to get started- seven weeks- but now that I have started at least I am not where I was seven weeks ago or 5 months ago when my primary care physician first suggest this as an option.

My surgeon was Dr. Karl LeBlanc and my first impression of him was that he was a very friendly and compassionate Dr.I had heard lots of good things about him and they all turned out to be true,i would describe his staff as caring and very good at what they do.I would rate DR.LeBlanc as a wonderful surgeon and i would recommed him to anyone.

I think my doctor is pretty cool. He is the serious type, but at the same time has a bit of humor :-)

Staff is ok. I am having my surgery done at Tulane Medical, so there are a lot of different Med. Students I meet.

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5-21-03
I wrote the above statement around April in 2001. I am now seeing DR. Karl LeBlanc in Baton Rouge, La.

My first impression was, WOW!! Yeah he was cute and very very polite!
My impression after meeting him was even better. He explain everything to me to a Tee. Any question I asked him he had the answer.

The Staff at NeWeigh is simply awesome! I have no complaints about he or the staff at all. 90% of the Staff there have all had the surgery also and told me about their story and showed their before pics.

There was nothing that I did not like about none of them. They are all wonderful!!!

I think future patients should know that if they go to NeWeigh, they will get nothing but the BEST Care with the DR's and Staff!!

The DR. emphasizes aftercare strongly. He strongly lets you know how important it is to follow the rules after surgery. He let me know how imperative it is to follow the directions and rules after surgery.

Yes, he has a very good structured after care program. He let me know how important it is after the surgery to stick with the food list the first 10 days after.
When I went to DR. Jafee in New Orleans at Tulane, None of the above issues I have talked about with NeWeigh were discussed with me. There was nothing told to me on what to eat before nor after the surgery, And with NeWeigh there are classes to help teach you and understand what to and not to expect. I believe that God always has a reason for the way things turn out. I firmly believe that I did not have the surgery in 2001 because I was meant to be brought to NeWeigh. "Thank You Jesus!!!"

He held nothing back about the risk of this surgery. He went straight forward and wide open about this surgery from start to finish.

I would rate DR. Karl LeBlanc on a scale from 1-10, a 100!!!! Without a doubt!

His Surgical Competence and Bed Side Matter are both Great!! He also has a wonderful sense of Humor And ALL of his Staff are Great!!! I thank My Lord and God for sending me to NeWeigh.

I met Dr.Schauer at the group workshop, over at Magee, on January 7. He is a very kind hearted person...that I could tell immediately. He has such sincere and pleasant eyes and a great sense of humor. I appreciate a sense of humor in people. It makes the Surgeon, more human and being at ease with the Surgeon is so important to me.
My husband and I attended the support group meeting in February and I found it to be so informative. I was in awe of the pictures and weight loss stories, that I had heard that day.
My preop appointment is tomorrow, March 19, and I will let you know how it went for me.. My appointment is with Dr.Schauer and I hope it goes smoothly. I trust that it will, as I have had so many preop tests already..lol
Only two more to go..and my surgery is now only, 22 days from today...Wow, I can't believe how fast the days are flying by for me..
Take care,
Judy

My first impression of Dr. Schauer was a very positive one. Dr. Schauer comes highly recommended to me and my mom who is also going to have surgery. He is very knowledgeable about the surgery and what kind of information I was looking for. He took the time to explain the procedure and answered my questions. I know He will be a good surgeon for me and anyone looking to find a good surgeon.

According to the staff at the Minimally Invasive Surgery Center in Pittsburgh, PA, Dr. Ramanathan has joined Dr. Schauer's group as a new partner. I received my approval in late February of 2003, and won't meet my surgeon, Dr. Ramanathan until April 3, 2003.

Also, Dr. Ramanathan's name should be added to the forum of doctors listed on this site UPMC Surgical Weightloss Program

Dr. Schauer and his entire staff are just wonderful! He is the most sinceer and caring man I have ever met. He looks at you, he explains in detail, he supports and never once did he treat me like I was "second-class" because of my weight.

His before, during, and after follow up's are terrific. He or a member of his staff is available 24-7 for you. No question is left unanswered.

The only drawback I would have for his staff is that they are so, so busy with new patients and paperwork, that sometimes it does take them a day or two get back to you for simple questions. (i.e. insurance status,insurance approval info, billing etc...). However, on the flip-side, for any medical related question, you get immediate response.

I am so glad that when I was inquiring and researching for this surgery that I found Dr. Schauer. You know, god works in mysterious ways...I know that he sent me to Dr. Schauer...and I thank both of them for giving me my life back.

I have been treated good by my surgeon, and all of their staff. They are very busy, but i have not had any trouble with them.

Be very patient and very persistant. Ask a lot of questions and keep calling if they don't call you back. They have more patient than you can imagine, but they still do a good job.

He actually listened to what I wanted and did everything he could to accomodate me. Because of my previous colon resection, he spent half an hour with me in pre-op going over the doctor's surgery notes very thoroughly.
When I went into his lovely new offices in Magee Women's Hospital, one of the patients was another doctor who said Dr. Phil is who all the doctors go to for their surgery. A lot of doctors train with him too, before they go on to their own practices.

1/28/03 First consultation

I met Dr.Schauer and his team, they seem very intelligent, friendly, and personable.

One of the office assistants (the blond) that has had the surgery talked to the group. She looks fabulous. She told her weight loss story and I almost cried. I can't wait to be telling my story.

Dr.Schauer emphasizes aftercare and follow-up. I hope the 2.5 hour distance doesn't deter me. (hasn't yet)

Must make the nutritionist and psyche appointments ASAP.