UVAHealth Bariatrics Hospital
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I have known Dr. Schirmer for years. I used to be a surgical intensive care head nurse. He has always been polite, compassionate, and supportive. He took my gallbladder out in 1991. I asked about bariatric surgery then. He would not consider it, because even though I was overweight, he did not feel the cosmetic benefits were worth the risk. 12 years later, he said "I think I can help you." I had ballooned to 323# and developed multiple chronic illnesses. I had already decided Dr. Schirmer would be the ONLY physician to do my surgery. In my book, he is the best. His support team (RN coordinator, dietician) are extremely busy and sometimes are slow to respond, but are extremely competent. My only negative experience was with his surgical team. New chief residents, interns, and medical students come in July, and unfortunately I had surgery on 7/30/03. It took me 7 months to get insurance approval. The "new team" were extremely nice, eager to learn , and to help, but lacked experience (disadvantage of a teaching hospital). The chief resident has the most experience, listened to my "problems", but in my estimation did not pass on what I considered critical information to Dr. Schirmer. I developed post-operative complications. I also made the decision to have surgery even though I knew Dr. Schirmer would be going out of town while I was still in the hospital, because of work commitments. I would not personally make that decision again. Please consider that I am biased in favor of Dr. Schirmer and it would be tough to find anyone to take his place.
Dr Hallowell is a great Physician/Surgeon. He seems to really care for you as a person. I have had to see him several times since surgery due to an opening that needed to be packed daily. He listens very well. I would rate him as a 10. The staff in the office is great also. I wonder if it would be helpful to see the dietician from time to time. Maybe that comes at the 6 mo. visit. I have felt very comfortable with him being my Doctor.
I was pleased with my first visit with Dr. Hallowell. I had done a lot of research on bariatric surgery prior to the appointment and so was prepared to hear the risks and benefits of the surgery which he did explain. I had my medical records sent over prior to the apointment so everything was there that was needed to evalute my situation. that made it easier and quicker. While waiting for my appointment I observed other patients who had already had the surgery. They all seemed to know one another and were very open and friendly and optomistic. that made me feel very good about this decision and the program at University Hospitals. The only negative so far is that I had to wait an hour after my appointed time before I was called in. Since I was trying to squeeze the appointment in on my lunch break, that meant I have to make up quite a bit of extra time.
Great Bedside manner. He and the staff have been fantastic and consistent. My impression has only changed for the better if anything. He is a wonderful doctor with a personality to boot. I have had to contact him with little aches and pains that scare me and it has always been at midnight or on a weekend...he makes me feel like I am entitled to call him and not actually imposing on his personal life. He places a heavy emphasis on risks and aftercare. I did a lot of research and talked to a lot of people and I know that I made the right choice in physicians.
He was real nice and took time to answers all questions, about the laproscopic gastric bypass surgery. He was very helpful in explaining the surgery, so I didn't have to many questions to ask. Isaw him for the first time on Jan 23,2003 On May 29th,2003 I had my pre-op tests and saw him that day. He was just as nice and polit as the first timeI saw him. He really takes time with all of his patients. He has a joking around, sense of humor as well, and I might add, very nice looking. There is nothing I dislike about him. He is a great surgeon, and I would trust my life with him all over again. I had surgery on July 16th, 2 days after my 6oth birthday. I went for my post-op check up on July 31st,2003. I did great with my surgey, and I was only in hospital 3 days. I've lost 22lb's. as of today Aug.3,2003 His knowledge of this surgery and the fact he has been doing it for 20 some years, and he has a one year waiting list, speaks for itself. I highly recommend him and UVA Hospital. All of his staff are equally as nice. Especially, Anna, his nurse. When you go for a check up with him, plan to spend about 3 to 4 hr's to see him. Take a small, soft cooler, pocket book size and carry your meals with you, if this is a post op check up. I had to wait 3hr's 10min's. But is is soooo worth the wait, to know you are being seen by the best in his field, and next to God's hands his hands are second. I Love Him!!!!
They don't get any better than Dr. Shirmer and his staff. Not only is he an extremely competent surgeon, he's caring and concerned about his patients and has an outstanding bedside manner.
He and his staff are very up front and open about both the risks and the benefits of WLS. He's been performing this surgery for a long time and has a great deal of experience.
The only negative thing about the whole process would be that he only holds clinics on Thursdays and you end up waiting for a long time some Thursdays to see him. If emergencies come in they take presidence over office visits. I always take a book and read or talk to the other patients there.
HE WAS VERY COMPASSIONATE. VERY NICE. I LOVE HIM!!! HIS STAFF WAS AWESOME. AFTERCARE, VERY IMPRTANT.EVERYTHING TOTALLY EXPLAINED TO ME.
After a traumatic experience with Dr. King in Fredericksburg, VA... I found my saving grace in Charlottesville. They say things happen for a reason, and now I am a firm believer in that notion. Dr. King cancelled on me the night before my surgery because he had some serious complications and deaths from 3 or 4 patients. I was devastated to get so close and then have the rug pulled out from under me, but then the wonderful secretary at Dr. Schirmer's office, Mary Cummings, saved the day. She got me an appointment within 20 days of calling (it usually takes almost a year to get an initial consult) and actually listened to what I was saying. I had my appt with Dr. Schirmer on July 26th, went to their wonderfully informative info clinic directed by the docs nurse Anna. Anna went over the whole surgery, the insurance gu-ru guy came in and talked about insurance, and then the nutritionist came in and talked all about what we'd be eating. It took quite some time.. if you are going, plan to be there all day. I got there at 745 and left at 4 o'clock. But Dr. Schirmers who staff is wonderful, I felt like hugging and kissing them all. Because I had already done all my preop work with Dr. King, he gave me a surgery date of July 28th. Dr. Schirmer is internationally known for his laproscopic abilities, and it shows. He has a cool confidence that made me sure I was in good hands. I cant wait to go through the rest of this experience with him and his staff and I now know it was a blessing that Dr. King cancelled on me!
06/05/03
New insurance, new beginning. My appointment is on July 7th and I am so excited to get started again!!