"My first impression (at my consult) of Dr. Schlessinger was not real positive. He did explain everything and answered my questions just fine, but he was like a robot. A few weeks before surgery I called to speak to his nurse to inquire about a prescription I was taking. Low and behold, Dr. S called me back himself, which impressed me. No further contact with him until I was prepping for surgery - he came in and asked if I had any questions (I didn't) and that was it. Didn't see him after surgery, and haven't seen him since. Dr. Berkowitz (another surgeon in Belvidere for BTC) was on call and I saw him when I was discharged, and he is the one I speak to when I call with the problems I've had with the draining. I think Dr. B is GREAT and wish I'd had him all along. I'd recommend him in a heartbeat.
The hospital staff and the office staff of Dr. S seemed to have a hard time understanding that I was from Kansas and would not be returning to Illinois after surgery. I had told the surgeon that at my consult. I felt the level of care decreased when they found out I wouldn't be returning - they weren't as friendly and helpful. The nutritionist was fantastic and she calls me at each change in the diet. BTC sent me home with a lot of recipes and ideas of things to eat to get my protein in, which I've found to be very helpful. In fact, I'm sending the recipes to a couple gals who had surgery at other hospitals that didn't provide this type of info.
"
