calling John Hopkins Patients

Hi Everyone -  I selected the John Hopkins program because of the reputation that JH has in excellence.  However, I have been left some what disappointed with the slow response from the patient coordinator for Dr. Steele.  Now I am left confused and wanting to make a move to Sinai Hosptial.  I just completed  the process and did the consult, nutrition and physic. evaluation.  Can you share with me your experience with the docs and staff of John Hopkins? thanks, Iman

I am a Dr Schweitzer patient, but Dr Steele made the rounds and called on me once during my 2nd hospitalization!  I was extremely impressed.  She told me that she was a resident under Schweitzer.  She sat down on my bed between me and my husband and talked with both of us.  She was a real sweetheart when I was really, really sick. Since Hopkins is a teaching hospital, there are always interns and residents abundant.  That can either be a good think or a nusance, depending upon your perspective.  I am sure that is true of Sinai as well. Overall, I'd say that the staff was just short of tremendous with a couple of exceptions.  There were 2 that were tremendous! (lol)  They were all competent, caring and available. My 2 stays at Bayview were as good as I could expect any hospital experience to be.

I am a Dr. Schweitzer patient also.  I had no problems.  The staff I dealt with were always great.  My hospital stay was totally uneventful.  I can say that my experience with my surgery and my follow up with Dr. Schweitzer has been wonderful.  I don't regret it for a minute.

Lillian is the patient coordinator and I have had a wonderful experience with her.  She helped with my paperwork and got me approved in 3 days.  She is responsive to my phone calls and can always get an answer for me.  She has the highest patient workload of anyone in that office.  Stick with it, stay positive and work with her.  It will be ok.  Karen

All of my dealings with JH have been very favorable.  I'm still new to the process...not even scheduled for RNY surgert yet....but the staff has impressed me very much. My only snag, if you want to call it that, is that it took a long time to get a Nutritionist appointment (from Feb 12th when I requested an appointment, until April 8th when I was able to get the first available opening).  But that delay is now, I believe, a non-issue since they hired their marvelous Nut (Margaret Furtado). My insurance paperwork was submitted on Monday.  I hope to hear back with a favorable response VERY soon so I can get on with my WLS. Good luck with whatever direction you choose.

Hi Iman, Stick with it!  Hopkins is one of the best around, and their doctors are second to none.  My dr. is Dr. Schweitzer.  If you have met Dr. Steele, you know that she is extremely good as well.  If you feel confident and comfortable with her, stay with her.  Responses are always slow when we're waiting with such anticipation.  But remember that some of the best things in life and are worth waiting for!!  I know so many people who have come up to me and said that they wished they had gone with the doctors at Hopkins.  I have absolutely no regrets and would recommend anyone in need of  gastric bypass to go there.  I've not had any complications and feel great!  My surgery was 5/10/07.  Good Luck! ~~  Trish

Stick with it. My experience with Bayview was fantastic. I was SSMO and got through the DS with no complications in surgery or after.   The whole experience was wonderful. I am so glad I went there.

Thank you ALL!!! I am will stick it out. 

I'm in the pre-op phase at Bayview and have had a wonderful experience so far.  My surgeon is Dr. Lidor....everyone I have encountered has been helpful and pleasant.    My last requirement for the insurance company will be met once I go to my 1:1 appointment with the dietician Margaret Furtado.  I'll be all set to be submitted to my insurance company on May 1st.   Does anyone else go to the RNY support groups at Bayview?  I've gone to the past 3 groups...I think the presentations are always good but I've been a bit disappointed by the "support" part.  There are so many people (30-40) and the room is so big that it seems like it isn't conducive to conversation.   Anyone have any input on the support group?  Last night they were talking about possibly having a smaller post-op group that would meet after the regular support group.