Monte Schwartz Bariatric Surgeon M.D.,F.A.C.S.

Dr. Maher is a very patient and kind man. He will take all the time in the world to explain anything you ask him to. And is verry confident in his ability. He has ben performing this kind of surgery since 1972 and has an excellant and verry supportive staff. I am in the begining process of the proceedure and the only thing I wish that was different is that I knew more about the proceedures before the surgery and how long to expect the process to be before I have the surgery. I have been in the process of trying to have this surgery for over 17 months and am starting to get frustrated. But all the research I can find tells me that Dr Maher is worth the wait. I am hoping so.***************************************************************************************

After a year and 1/2 of dealing with the U of I, I was told to come back and met with a dietition to review my diet. It is my understanding that if I can't prove that I can follow the diet that I will not be allowed to have the surgery. Since the reason I am trying to have the surgery is because diets do not work for me I bacame extreamly frustrated. I have now met with Dr. Schwartz in Grinnell and have found them to be much more reasonable. Dr. Schwartz was compleatly comasionate about the fact that I haven't ben able to stay on the diet for the 6 months that the U of I expected. And had strong faith in the fact that he felt his staff could get this surgery approved for me. I recieved more information regarding the proceedure, process before the proceedure and life after from one visit with Dr. Schwartz than I have in the past two years since I first filled out the paper work for the U of I. I feel much more secure in my decision to have the surgery with Dr. Schwartz than at the U.

When I met with Dr Schwartz for my consult I felt very comfortable. He was very kind, informative, and interested in my questions and concerns. He listened to my story, then he told me how he could help me. The office staff at Grinnell were very friendly, but I did not feel they could fully understand my sense of urgency in getting my surgery scheduled. I can not complain at all though because I am on my way...I felt that they were very supportive of their clinic and surgical team. Dr Schwartz went over the after care breifly, but also told me that there would be one person set up to go over each of the post op issues with me before leaving the hospital. I was impressed that The national percent for
post-op complications was 8%, but Grinnell was even lower at 2%

I am very happy with Grinnell Regional and the staff. I am very anxious to have my surgery and begin my life.

I would recommend anyone to Dr. Monte Schwartz. My aunt came with me to my initial consult and we were both equally impressed.
He made me feel comfortable talking about what is always a touchy subject, he took the time to listen to and answer carefully any question I had -- no matter how many. I didn't feel rushed in his office as if I was on a surgical assembly line.
I even asked the hard questions -- he had never lost a patient of this surgery. Neither here nor for five years at Mayo Clinic. I didn't plan on breaking his record.
He was very interested and active in my recovery in the hospital and helpful with questions I had in the one follow-up I have had since.

I was completely impressed with my surgeon. He took the time to talk and answer all questions.

The office staff was very nice and helpful.