UVAHealth Bariatrics Hospital

Dr. Hallowell out of University of VA Bariatrics is a Rockstar! He is a great surgeon with an excellent bedside manner. I have enjoyed my experiences with him every time, even when he was pressing me to do better in my first year and a half after surgery.

Before the surgery, there was a group meeting to talk about things that would happen during our various surgeries, and they told us up front the extensive type of care we would need, such as vitamins for the rest of our lives, and calcium citrate instead of the "plain" kind. They showed us plenty of information so we would have a decent understanding of what we would be going through. They did tell me a month or so before the surgery that because of my size and health issues I was more likely to have problems afterwards, but I came through with flying colors.

He is really big on aftercare, as I mentioned above. He had me come in for check-ups more often than I was "required", so that he could encourage me. I think there was indeed a support group either there at the hospital or in the immediate area for the WLS patients, but I lived too far away to participate in that.

His staff is really good too. I also meet with a nutritionist at each appointment and learned a lot from both of the ladies I have met.
His office staff is considerate and very nice and professional whenever I go in, and on the phone as well.

To start with, I was super obese (423 lbs-down from 444) when I came in in 2010. Even still, he was able to do a laprascopic RYN on me. He was pleased about that, and so was I-less scarring! He treated me really well, and I had a wonderful surgery experience. Almost no side effects like excessive pain, or bleeding, or other issues people have soon after surgery. I think this was due to his expertise.

All-in-all, I have enjoyed him being my surgeon and follow-up physician. I think both his surgical competence and beside manner are fantastic and I think anyone who is heading to UVA for Bariatric surgery wouldn't go wrong with him.

I had gastric bypass AND hernia repair at the same time on 2/21/11. Dr. Schirmer IS the BEST. I developed an infection 2 weeks after I got home and had to be admitted again and had to have surgery again. Dr. Schirmer and Anna was right there to help me. I thank them so much for ALL they did. It's been 15 months ago and I'm doing GREAT!!! If you have any questions just ask me!!!!

My biggest complaint was being in a double room with a psychotic person. I worked in psychiatric settings as an RN for over 10 years, so I don't say that lightly. My room mate was constantly screaming and hallucinating. She literally left blood all over the bathroom, and each time I wanted to go in there, I had to ask for someone to come clean the room. I asked several times if the other patient could get a private room, to no avail. I don't mind sharing a room, but seriously!

Oct 31,2011 was my 6 yr anniv. and I was 410 pounds when I went in for surgery today I have mainyained at 160-175 it has been a journey I am pleased I took. Though it has not been easy It has been a everyday struggle and Im lucky to be alive. I was blessed 6 yrs ago and thankful to be here today to share my experience, with whoever wants to here it. Feel free to email me any time.

he was very kind , understanding of me , my size . that was very important to me .
he,s office staff where very nice people,
i havn,t had my surgey yet , my insurance just improved me.
he explained all risks of surgey very well .i rate him 10.
he,s great person .
he,s no longer at uns hospital .

I really liked Dr. Schirmer the first time I met him. The office stafff was really friendly and caring. He really is very informative about the surgery and the aftercare. They really go over all the risks and pros and cons of the types of weight loss surgery they perform. The overall rating of Dr. Schirmer and staff is great.

Dr Hallowell was extremely helpful, answering all my questions, and my first impression was that of "my knight in shining armor". My impression did not change, and has not changed. His staff working with him have been fabulous, and would recommend him to anyone looking for this life changing procedure. I am a nurse, and he talked to me in ways that he knew I would understand, and explained things to my husband(who is not a health professional) so I wouldn't have to. He was awesome, and took excellent care of me, even though I had a complication. At midnight, he was still in the hospital, when the bleed was realized, and I wouldn't be alive today if he hadn't come to help fix me up. I knew the risk of bleeding was possible, and going to a teaching hospital, you have to realize there is a greater chance for error. Luckily, my complication was caught and fixed before it took my life. :)

In my personal opinion Dr. Schirmer is absolutely the best surgeon ever. Always caring and informative about the procedure and always pleasant during follow-up care. From my personal experiences I would recommend Dr. Schirmer. He's definitely a 15 on a scale of 1 to 10. His staff is also one of the most caring staff's I have ever been around. Great outfit all together. Again, this is only my personal opinion and is not intended to persuade anyone to change surgeons as your surgeon may be just a great.

Dr. Schirmer is going to be my surgeon again! About 4 -5 years ago he was my surgeon for a colostomy reversal and then later for an abdominal hernia. So of course when the hernia reoccured, I went to him. Because of my constant weight struggle, but an ability to stick to a diet/exercise plan for a time, he suggested WLS. To be honest I had been thinking about it for almost 10 years. So with further complications arising of course it just made sense. There is no one else I would let do it. At first I thought he was unusual in his manner, but later I grew to love everything about him. He is so caring and competent. His staff is wonderful too. Whether you're there for a basic check up or to schedule surgery. To be honest he has even emailed me back at 3 in the MORNING just to address my worries. It seems that he has a wonderful pre op program, as well as for aftercare. Let me add, Anna Miller is wonderful too. She is his right hand \"man\" and is awesome at ALL she does. I'm actually really looking foward to working with them to reach my weight loss goals.

Our first impression of Dr. Schirmer was that he is a very compasionate, confident man. And that he really cares, that you are not just a patient, you are a person, a mother, a Father, a Son, A Daugher, a Friend. He takes time to explain any and all questions. He and his WONDERFUL staff, do everything that they can to make you confortable. They are all very caring and very helpful. They thought of things help us be more comfortable than we even considered.rnHe has done almost 2000 of these surgerys and he and his office staff are GOOD AT IT.rnI called on second week of April. and got an appointment for us both in August. And ask if they would put us on their cancelation list. We started out at 150 on the list then we went to 6 and 7. and a week later we got a call on 5/25/04 and they ask if we could be there on 5/27/04 at 8am. Of course we said YES.... rnWe were approved by Dr Shirmer to have this surgery.rnMy husband doesn't even have to have his insurance pre approved.rnI really like this hospital and the staff.rnThe staff expained in great detail the whole surgery, even showed some of the instraments that are used.rnThey explained the RISK IN great detail.rnThey even gave examples of people that didn't make it.rnThey told us that the precentage is 1 in 100 people don't make it.rnThey really stress after care too.rnMy husband and I both rate them all at a number 100 on the scall of 1 to 10. (smile)