Richard Shimer Bariatric Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S.
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Dr Shimer is a great Doctor and Surgeon, very nice person and great beside manner. I had the gastric sleeve done on 4/6/11, its been a little over a year and I have lost 95 pounds. I'm am now a healthier and happier person. I donot regert having the procecure and would recommend it to anyone who has struggled with their weight.
Dr. Shimer and his office staff are absolutely wonderful. I do not regret having the RNY done at all and if I had to do it all over again, I would go to Dr. Shimer. He is a general surgeon as well as bariatric surgeon, so if any of my children, hubby, or myself needs any kind of surgery I will definately get him to do it.
Brenda is his receptionist, insurance person, cheerleader(lol), she is the sweetest and very helpful person. She always returns my calls the same day and genuinely cares about the patients.
Carolyn is his nurse, she is so knowledgable on aspects on bariatric surgery and never makes me feel that I am bothering her. She answers all my questions and always calls me back when I need anything.
Dr. Shimer is not rushed when he is in the exam room with you. He patiently answers all questions and describes the surgery and post surgery process. Also has a wonderful bedside manner.
It is very unusual these days to find a dr and his staff that takes time for the patient, I feel like I am his only patient when I need anything. I would recommend him to anyone considering bariatric or any other surgery.
I am almost ready to submit info to insurance, hopefully for approval. I have 1 more visit to my dietitian on 6/13/2010.I have had the preliminary appointment. with Dr. Shimer and I really liked him. He answered all my questions and wasn't in a rush to get out of the room like a lot of Dr.s do. I have seen other Bariatric surgeons in my area and Dr. Shimer is the one I felt the most comfortable with and he has the most experience with the RNY surgery. He was the only surgeon that my primary care Dr. would write a referral to.
He already has me going to the post surgery support groups and he had a required information seminar that you have to attend before they will even schedule an appointment.for you.
The office staff is great. I have called several times with questions and they patiently answer all of them and do not make me feel like I am imposing on their time.
I hopefully will be able to write soon on his surgical competence.
Dr. Shimer is a character. He is a good surgeon for WLS. The office staff are really great, always helpful. I would let him do the surgery on my child..... so that tells you my level of trust in his ability as a surgeon.
I first met Dr. Shimer at the WLS seminar in late January. He was very informative and answered everyone's questions thoroughly. He seems genuinely concerned about each patient and their individual needs. His office staff are very friendly and anxious to help you through this process. Dr. Shimer also has an extensive aftercare program for his WLS patients including nutrition experts and exercise programs. I am fully confident with his abilities and experience and am looking forward to having him perform my surgery in April.
*9/28/04*
~My First Impression of Dr. Shimer?
Consistent with what I've read from his other patient's comments here @ AMOS.
Not unusual for a surgeon, our appointment was delayed for about an hour. I was just so relieved that I was there and the process was in motion that I got over the anxious wait once I was called back by Carol, a friendly and easy-going nurse that works with the good Dr. S.
He emphasized the importance for me to speak up if, at any time between now and the moment I went under after anastesia, I wasn't ready to go through with the surgery as it is life altering and requires real commitment and adherance to a new way of eating. As far as discussing the risks of surgery... that was fairly brief. I've already spent a year or more considering the various risks. Though risks/complications are a possibility, I feel better since meeting him that, however tramatic, other than the 1% chance of death they're not the end-of-the-world and likely can be overcome with awareness, prompt medical attention, and sheer determination on my part. I urge to anyone considering surgery of this nature to exhaust all other potential alternatives b/4 going this route.
~About his office staff?
Besides Carol and Dr. S., I met Dion. She greeted me when I arrived and helped me get the paper work in order and a file started. Like the others there, she too seems genuinely concerned and patient with the patients. (ha,ha..I made a funny!) That's saying a lot since, at the time, they were one person short on staff.
What did I like the least about Dr. S.?
After giving this some thought, because there was nothing noteably offensive, I'd have to say I'm sorry that there wasn't much talk about the likelyhood that this whole WLS could be, and result in, a positive experience. I guess it's safe to assume that we know that already and that's why we're there! He did stress the importance of attending support groups. I would imagine doing so makes a big difference in the quality of The WLS Experience! St. Pat's Hospital in Lake Charles offers a smaller, more intamate meeting on the first Wednesday of each month @ 5:30 p.m. on the 5th floor. Paula Fortenberry (430-5470) heads that program. I found out about it in the American Press. Ellen Stringer (475-4760 or 474-6370) @ Women's and Children's Hospital in Lake Charles takes reservations for upcoming seminars by local bariatric surgeons. Tiffany Soileau, WLS patient (had surgery 2/2003) and an AMOS Member whose profile is accessable here @ obesityhelp.com is the Education Director @ W&C Hosp. and in charge of the monthly support group meetings at that location. I look forward to checking out that group as well ...just got to find out when it's held.
Dr Shimer had a very sincere 1st impression which did not change over time. Dion and Gilda have been the two I have had the most contact wit and they are both very friendly, supportive and helpful.
My personal experience & the experience of others is there is not a least like about Dr Shimer. He is patient, friendly & mostly knowledgeable. He wants you to check him out.
Aftercare is crucial. He gradually works you back to natural foods. They stress that this is a tool to help you.
Every known risk to the surgery is discussed in his seminar. This is a mandatory seminar and very informative. He gives you a clear understanding of what is going to happen.
I am three weeks post op and to this point I see him as excellent with surgical competence & bedside manner.
My first impression of him was 1 of the best impressions I've ever had.
His staff are such sweethearts & they made me feel very comfortable.
There was nothing bad about him at all & I think so highly of him.
He did explain all of the risks of surgery to me and let me know everything about it & he does have an aftercare program as well.
I suggest him to anyone that is willing to have this surgery b/c this man is very understanding and very compassionate. I didn't think that he'd say yes being that I'm under 21 years of age but he did & that's what touched me the most.
I rate him as #1!
My first impression of Dr. Shimer was immediate comfort and peace. He was honest and gave the good, the bad, and the ugly. He DID NOT try to sale the surgery. He gave the facts - all the good - and all the bad. He says that aftercare is the key. Dr. Shimer was exactly what I was looking for - I had heard others and it just didn't feel right. I would encourage anyone to look until they found a doctor that they were comfortable with.
Dr. Shimer I found to be very understanding and showed a concern for his patients. Because I work as a nurse on the floor where we take care of the Bariatric patient post op I got to see first hand how well he realated to his patients. I would recomend Dr. Shimer to anyone who is looking for a great surgen.