Cleveland Clinic

Has anyone been through the process at the Cleveland Clinic?  I would love to hear about your experience.

Hi I'm reginak, my surgeon is phillip schauer @ cleveland clinic,  he and the entire staff were wonderful always accomodating,& personable I found that many employees have had the surgery themselves and were very supportive, people come from all around to have this procedure done here, if you can do it, the drive is well worth it.  Good Luck

I had my RNY gastric bypass at the Cleveland Clinic in October, 2005.  I feel the CCF does an excellent job in preparing patients for surgery, giving you a lot of information about the surgery, nutrition, vitamins, etc., so you can make an informed choice.  I also had Dr. Schauer and I have had absolutely no problems related to the mechanics of my surgery (in other words, my innards all seem to be working just fine!).   That being said, I feel the Clinic is growing their program too fast.  I have had problems getting phone calls returned, and other than one mandatory appointment with the nutritionist about one month after my surgery, I received no additional post-surgery nutrition education from the Clinic.  Additionally, all of my follow-up appointments after my surgery have been with Dr. Schauer's fellows; I have not actually seen Dr. Schauer for an appointment since my pre-op work.  Although I understand that his skills and expertise may be better spent doing pre-op appointments and actual surgeries, I feel the Clinic should be more upfront about the fact that the follow-up appointments for his patients will generally be handled by his fellows. 

Additionally, I have always had to wait more than an hour for my appointments, even when I'm scheduled for an appointment very early in the morning.  And I'm often in the waiting room with many other people that have also been waiting for a very long time.  The Clinic needs to either hire more staff or cut back on how many patients they are trying to see.  It makes me question whether they can provide an appropriate level of care, or if they are simply concerned with how many patients they can get in to their program. 

That all being said, would I have my surgery at the Clinic again?  The answer is yes and that is entirely based on Dr. Schaeur's surgical expertise.  He is one of the foremost surgeons in the country that performs laproscopic RNY gastic bypasses and, for me, it was worth all the hassle to know that I was in the hands of the best of the best.   I hope this information is helpful.  Good luck on your continuing journey. Kellie

Thank you for your candor. I was curious as to appointment wait times--I'm already beginning to experience waits.

Kellie, Your post could have been written by me!  I had to look at your name just to make sure I didn't come into the den and write it in my sleep or something!    What you said is exactly what I have experienced since my surgery, also at CCF by Dr. Schauer.  I didn't mind seeing the Fellows--they came in even in the hosptai.  Dr. Schauer only came in once immediately following surgery. One lady doctor was great and we had a wonderful conversation where I got lots of info.        However, the wait times pre and post-op are horrific.  My husband was kind enough to come with me.  Both times he came, we had to wait and wait and wait. He drove me to the Clinic for my first post-op appointment and we had to wait three hours.  He fell asleep in the waiting room!  That's just ridiculous, not to mention disrespectful of our time.  My surgery didn't take that long!!  And, you are right when you say they drop the ball post-surgery.  They do have the meetings each month.  However, they are downtown, at NIGHT, and my husband refuses to let me go.  I've often wondered why they can't have closed circuit ones at some of their satellite offices, like in Solon, five minutes from where I live in Twinsburg.        They have recently hired Dr. Cooper, a Bariatrician.  I've saw her in a "group meeting" session in June.  She is uber enthusiastic, friendly and knowledgeable.  I had blood tests done at that appointment and also had some questions for her that she said she'd follow up on a get back to me.  Never happened.  I was emailed my test results through My Chart.  Big Whoop.  I had no idea what I was looking at.  I called for an explanation.  A week later, after three more calls, my calls were finally returned.  I got the information I needed, but it was a lot of hassel.  I didn't learn until the second call that Dr. Cooper was out of town for the week.  This has happened before--my calls aren't returned at all or not in a timely fashion.   All in all though, I share your enthusiasm for the Clinic.  I've had no complications from my procedure even though I do tend to misbehave on occasion.  The surgical experience was a great one--everyone was very compassionate and kind to me, even if one head nurse did yell at my son for sitting on my bed when he came to visit.  (There was only one chair in that huge room!) Like you, I would have my surgery there again and recommend it to anyone considering WLS in Cleveland.

i had  my surgery at the cleveland clinic weston.  after one surgeon had backed out mid surgery and several others refused to attempt surgery on me.  Dr. Rosenthal claimed my surgery would be no problem for him, he himself fought for approval and overturned his staffs ruling against me and he saved my live by doing flawlessly, uneventful surgery that was an extreme success.  The staff was excellent, took a personal interest in me, made me feel like i was working with friends.  His bedside manner was awesome.  The hospital itself was beautiful and was like staying in a resort.  I cant say enough about them, they were great.  Dr. Rosenthal is responsible for taking my desperate and near fatal life and turning it into a success story of great proportion.  Next month i'm being married in the Rock hall.  Cleveland itself has stepped up to make this all happen and i say it started the day i called the Cleveland Clinic to find out if they'd help me when no one else would.  They're wonderful. 

I will be 9 months out this month. I haven't  had any probs w/ waiting. Just the typical running a few mins behind.  I have seen the nut at each appt. 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and have one scheduled for 9 months.  I have been very happy with the program! Let me know if you have any questions!!

I had my lap band done at the Clinic - was a very good experience overall - Dr. Chand was my doc - and he was terrific - my stay at the clinic was ok - I didn't feel the nursing care I got was the greatest - only 1 of the 3 nurses seemed to care - and offered me ice chips, and helped me get up and out of bed - the other 2 just took my vitals - changed my iv - and left.  There is a long wait time when you go for appts.  - and I do feel like they cater more to the RNY then the lapband - my info was more specifically geared toward the RNy - and the nurse and nut also seemed to gear their info toward the RNY - I kept reminding them I was  having the lap band - I have read a great deal so was pretty informed myself - and questioned them about several things. My other complaint is that they can't seem to schedule all your appts on the same day - one day is the psych- one day the nut, one day the doc - I live 2 hours away - and it is a pain in the butt to get off work - arrange child care etc. to get there.  It would be appreciated if they would work more toward scheduling your appts for more convenience to the patient.  Would I have my surgery there again?  Yes, I choose the clinic because I feel it is the best place around to receive the very best medical care - and should anything go wrong - I wanted to be the in the best place possible.  I loved my surgeon - he was wonderful  - and so far - 3 months out - everything has gone without a hitch.  Good luck!  Anne

Anne: Thank you for your feedback.  I'm glad to hear your experience was overall good.  I'm nervous about the appts.--I too live about 2.5 hrs away, and I'm hoping they can be a bit more accomodating.

I am just curious as to  why you would travel to Cleveland when OSU has a great program (from what I hear). I had my surgery at University Hospital in Cleveland and have never encountered a long wait!  Their pre and post-op programs are great!  I had my surgery 2 years ago and checked out 5 different hospitals and their programs.  UH has the best (in my opinion)!  They are also a "Center of Excellence" for Bariatric Surgery.  They do also offer the lap band...... Good luck! Sue 328/ goal 130/ current 120