"I was really unsure of what Dr. Smith's reaction would be to my wanting the WLS so I took alot of info with me. He has treated my whole family for at least 10 years and knew of the strokes and heart disease that ran in my family as well as the obesity. He didn't bat an eyelash when I asked for the refferal and said he knows Dr. Schauer and recomends him highly. Since my surgery Dr. Smith keeps a close eye on me by having me come in every 3 months for blood work to check all of my levels. I will see him more than my surgeon so I feel he is doing a great follow up!!"
"My first impression of Dr. Schauer was that he was a very caring person who truely wants to help people overcome the problems involved with obesity. I want everyone to know that Dr. Schauer has a very long waiting list I filled out my paper work in Feb 2001 had my first appt(group appt) in June 2001 and Surgery was originally scheduled for Nov 5,2001 but had to be cancelled due to a UTI it took me 5 weeks to get re-scheduled I was not real happy about that but I did have my surgery December 11,2001 at Shadyside Hospital. I did have a complication the day after and had to go back into surgery but all turned out well. I feel that Dr Schauer is well worth the wait he is one of the best surgeons in the country (the best in my opinion) I was in the hospital for 7 days and was taken care of by on of the nicest residents working under Dr Schauer,Dr Costa was there night and day looking in on me and was always in contact with Dr. S regarding my situation.
Cheryl Greico (one of Dr Schauers bariatric nurses)who had surgery herself is just the nicest person,she called me at home the night before my surgery to wish me luck and was also the one who removed my JP drains she is the greatest! Laura is also one of the bariatric nurses who had surgery she is very nice and is very helpful with questions. When you go for your first visit 1 month pre op you will see one of the bariatric nurses where you you will be weighed and asked some questions and have the oppertunity to ask questions you will see Dr.Schauer on your 6 month check up so don't get upset if you dont see him on appt #1. Dr. Schauer is so busy I don't know how he has time for his wife and 4 kids, I had to page him on a saturday after I accidentally pulled on one of my tubes and had some pain and he called me right back from home and talked to me for 10 min while his kids were running and playing in the background. I give the whole staff a 10"
"I feel the staff at UPMC Shadyside were friendly,well informed and very professional. I had to be in the CCU for 2 days and my nurses there were wonderful they made sure my family knew what was going on and made me very comfortable.Also the nursing staff on the 4th floor where I spent another 5 days were a great bunch of people all of them were very nice and I looked foward to seeing each of them every day.
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