"My first impression of Dr. Schoen was one of uncertainty. I was a referred to him as a very complex post op RNY with serious complications. He was to evaluate me for total gastrectomy. The first visit was a bit disappointing because I had traveled 4 hours to see him, and he had not reviewed my case. In fact, their office could not find my records that had been previously faxed. After the second visit, my opinion began to change. He showed consideration to the fact that I had to travel several hours to see him and scheduled testing and appts on the same days so that he could minimize my travel expences. On the day we developed my surgical plan, I felt 100% comfortable with him. My life was in his hands. He was truthful with me, and spent a lot of time explaining his thoughts and his proposed plan.
His staff was very friendly and professional.
I am one week post op from a total gastrectomy and feel like I am finally on the way to my new life! I am in a LOT of post op pain, but it was expected. The one concern I would have is that there has been a lot of inconsistency within his 'team'. Dr. Shoen would tell me something, and then his team would contradict that. The example is I struggled with urinary retention and although Dr. Schoen agreed and even suggested that I was NOT to discharge with a Foley, I am sitting here with a Foley. On the date of discharge, they pulled the foley, and then said they wanted to give me 6 hours to try to pass urine. Well..... i tried and couldn't do it. At 7 pm, the nurse came into the room and said she had talked to my team and that the team had decided that they would not let me discharge without a foley. I had sat there until 7 PM, trying to pee.... only to have to leave with a Foley.
Pain control/management is also an issue for me at this point. I discharged on less pain meds post op that what I was taking on a daily basis pre-op. CONSIDERABLY less. So, pain control has been very hard the last 2 days. Post op visit is tomorrow so I hope to clear that up. I don't find any 'fault' in the pain control issues, I just think it was an oversight and something I never thought to ask him about during his post op visits.
Dr. Schoen saved my life, and gave me back quality of life. He has explained to me that I have a new normal and that is ok. I would 100% recommend him to anyone, particulary patients who have had post op complications."
