"Dr. Schmidt was not the first surgeon I met. My husband is a physician, and he had recommended me to see Dr. Schmidt, but being obstinate, I met with others first. He was, however, the last and best. I felt an immediate understanding of my problems and concerns. Dr. Schmidt spends a tremendous amount of time explaining and teaching, and encourages questions.
His office staff is very knowledgeable and helpful. He has a nurse practitioner in the office whenever patients are in, and she is not just an expert, but a patient as well.
There is also a nutritionist on staff, who not only meets with all patients, but shares her email address, and promptly responds to questions and concerns.
My only office complaint is in scheduling. They are quite busy, and getting an appointment at a good time in a short time can be difficult.
After having the surgery, and now, at 10 months post-op and at my goal weight, I understand why hubby wanted me to use Dr. Schmidt, and why he continues to send his patients to him (he is a pulmonologist, and has many morbidly obese patients with sleep apnea.)
My recovery was swift and uneventful. It went so well that my sister-in-law went to him 2 months later and is also doing fantastically!
Dr. Schmidt is extremely skilled - his complication rate is extremely low, and his experience level is the highest I have found. (as a nurse, I did my homework, too!)
In both surgical skill and bedside manner, he can't be beat.
"
"OR staff - excellent
Recovery Room staff - Better than excellent - have had more than a few surgeries, and these girls were just fantastic!!!
Floor staff - fair to poor: don't tell me it's change of shift when my IV is beeping or I want a shot! And change of shift seems to take well over an hour! Why does night shift (11-7) not finish report and come to check you out until one am?? (and I'm an RN - I know how tough it can be - that's no excuse) Knowledgeable about WLS, however."
