Question:
I heard that Dr. Schauer in Pittsburgh is now scheduling surgery into next year......

Is this true? I've heard this from several people. Also, if you have a surgery date now how long have you been waiting before you got a date? Just wondering what kind of time frame I'm looking at. Thanks for your help!    — [Anonymous] (posted on March 5, 2002)

March 5, 2002
GREAT surgeons make for long waits. Dr Schauers support group meeting is wednesday march 6th at 7 pm in montefiores auditorium. ALL re welcome, including other surgeons patients. I will ask but believe that one year wait is accurate. Jens was over 10 months. This info may be of help to other pittsburgers. Dr Schauer was involved in training a experienced surgeon in the RNY who is now doing them LAP at UPMC passavant. Jen my wife works there. His wait time should be MUCH shorter. He hasnt been added to the database here yet but drop me a email and I will get you contact info. Jen says he is a wonderful caring surgeon. Cant do any harm to look into it. He has been a surgeon for many years, and may be operating at other UPMC hospitals as well.
   — bob-haller

March 5, 2002
Dr. Stickler in Charleston, WV also trained under Dr. Schauer and does laparascopic RNY. His wait time is also shorter. Mine has been about 3 months. BTW, my surgery is Friday, keep me in your prayers.
   — Kathryn L.

March 5, 2002
Dr schauer is busy training lots of other fine surgeons. If I were a pre op haaving schauer train my surgeon would give me confidence.
   — bob-haller

March 5, 2002
Dr. Quinlin is another good surgeon in Pittsburgh who is experienced with LAP RNY. He operates at UPMC Shadyside and West Penn. Total time for me....from initial inquiry to surgery was just over 7 months. I know this still sounds like a long time, but in retrospect I believe the waiting time was a good thing for me. It really allowed me to research the surgery and prepare myself mentally.
   — David U.

March 5, 2002
Dr Gagne is an experienced lap surgeon who is performing the RNY at West Penn in Pittsburgh. He also takes Aetna US Healthcare and was recommended by them. He and his office staff are great.
   — mom2jtx3

March 11, 2002
I started this process back in September of 2001. I went to my first group meeting on November 27th,2001 and finally found out I was approved on March 1, 2002. I still don't have my surgery date with Dr. Schauer, and have heard he is already scheduling into July. I don't know exactly when I will get a date either....so if do choose Dr. Schauer, try to learn to be patient.....I have!!
   — Linda D.

March 11, 2002
I called in March 2000 to get an initial consult, got an appointment in late May/early June, approved by insurance late July, scheduled for surgery Dec. 11. Total time from first call to post-op was about 10 months altough now my surgeon's wait is over a year. I thought the time frame was good. It gave me a chance to do much research as wellas soul searching. Several docs had recommended the surgery before I even knew what it was. It sounded good, so I went ahead, but I'm glad I didn't have the actual surgery until after I had done much research. I was definitely prepared by the time my surgery date came along.
   — Maria H.

March 13, 2002
Dr. Schauer is certainly worth the wait..I believe it was about 8 months wait for me. I am glad I waited !!He is the best in my book, but I am sure there are other wonderful surgeons out there. Good luck to you on your journey.
   — janicediana

Click Here to Return