Helmut Schreiber Bariatric Surgeon M.D.,F.A.C.S.

I have only met Dr Schreiber once, at my initial consultation. I liked his forth-rightness, and that he was up front with everything. He answered all mine and my husband's questions. I have full confidence in him and his staff. All the people that work in his office are like angels. I was sick and tired of nurses and physician assistants who would remind me I was obese, like I didn't know it. But at Dr Schreiber's office, the people are great! Sincerity is the keyword. They treat obesity like a disease, not a weakness. Any future patients should be prepared that Dr Schreiber will not baby you or coddle you. As an adult, you should be ready to face the fact that a healthy weight is obtainable if only a person is willing to work for it. He emphasized that the surgery is not a cure-all, but a beginning, a helping tool for controlling morbid obesity. // Since I wrote this I have already had my surgery. Dr Schreiber was very supportive. He has a good bedside manner and was surprised at my first post-op doctor's office that I was ready to go back to work.

The doctor was very busy and I had only a short time with him but he did answer all of my questions, even the dumb ones. I was still not sure if I wanted to go with the surgery but I did not tell him that. Actually I was still deciding right up to the day I went in. The staff was informative but not overly friendly. I felt like I was just another one in the bunch. Dr. Schreiber's intelligence showed and he did make me feel comfortable with having him do the surgery. I knew I would be in good hands. He did emphasize aftercare and that this was not a cure all and that I would have to work at it to be successful. I feel that surgical competence is the most important. Our vet is not the best with people but with animals he is great and his experience is outstanding. Not to compare the doctors but competence should be of the utmost important.

I liked him very much,he was mild mannered and, he answered all my questions.
My opinion did change,the day of my surgery I was very scared and nervous so much so that I told my husband that I had changed my mind and wanted to go home. I cried and broke out in hives due to my nerves.
Whem I told my husband to get my shoes we're leaving his nurse Julie called him in and he said, "What you do with this is up to you leaving or staying will be your choice, you know where your shoes are, no one can change your life but YOU!!!" I thought at the time that he was very abrupt but,of cours on hind sight he was right.
The center has monthly support group meetings, a personal trainer,and a clothing exchange. He really was wonderful about addressing questions and concerns. Rating wise in my book he is a 10.For me both is really important,it would be uncomfortable to let a surgeon operate on me if I did not feel I could ask questions

He is very nice and wants to make sure you have a good and accurate understanding of the surgery. He answered all of my questions and didn't make me feel any of them were unimportant. He is a very dedicated and a caring person. The staff was very freindly and helpful and truly caring, I didn't feel like just another number waiting for service. He lets you know it is not a magic solution. It is a 60 40 one. The surgery is 60% but you still have to do the 40%. You need to understand that only you can ultamtely make it work. It does give you the needed help if you really are serious. He told me about the support groups, web site and newsletter, and gave me a newsletter to keep. He let me know what the risks were and that I needed to weigh the risk of surgery to the risks of being overweight. I would rate him a 10.

He was and is very direct and business like.
Some people may find it cold, but I had a problem he had the solution and he didn't act as if he was the solution just a part of the solution.

I went back for my three week check up and his behavior was the same.

His staff was warm and were very detail oriented where I felt the doctor presented the whole picture.

I can't say I liked anything less, it was a business tranaction.

He wanted to make sure I understood to the best of my ability what was going to happen to my body during and after surgery.

Aftercare is stressed a greatdeal and the aftercare program is pretty structured.

The doctor and staff were very direct about the risks of surgery and talked to me as an individual w/ my own concerns.

On a scale of 1-10 10 being the highest I would give the doctor a 10.

If you want bedside manner I would not recommend the doctor if you want an expert in his field and bedside manner isn't that important I would highly recommend Dr. Schreiber. Some might strongly disagree with this but it is a good and fitting analogy. I don't car if my mechanic has a charming personality as long as he can fix my car, can explain to me what's wrong with it, and doesn't over charge me.

I have only met Dr. Schrieber once. He was very knowledgeable and kept to the facts. He has very little bedside manner, but that may change with time. I guess I would rather have an excelent surgeon, than one who is not but has a great bedside manner. Like others who had posted, I wasnt told about a registration fee, nor did I understand exactly what it was used for. I figured that without paying it, you are not going any farther in the program. The staff seemed very nice during this first meeting and very concerned.

My first impression of Dr. Schrieber is that he is a very intelligent doctor and he mean business, he goes straight to the point. He is there to perform a service for me and wants to make sure I completely understand what is happening. His staff seems very nice and willing to help any way they can. The insurance staff seems to be lacking a bit...kinda slow. You have to keep on them to make sure your case gets filed with the insurance. You also have to call to find out any info on the statis of your fileing...it seems they never call you to keep you informed. Dr. Schrieber dosen't joke around and some may say he has no bedside manner....I just think he takes his work seriously. I liked him very much.

I was slated to meet with Dr Sonpal for a consult. I arrived @ 4 pm for a 4:30 pm appt and didn't get in to see a nurse til 5 pm however the nurse was very apologetic for the wait and that the Dr would see me shortly. At about 5:15, the office manager (i assumed) came in and asked me if i wanted to take care of the "Registration Fee". Nothing was mentioned of this fee in the Informational seminar or in my talks with the office staff. I will move on...

Then , I finally got my consult but not with Dr Sonpal it was Dr Schreiber. But it is my understanding that the 2 docs assist each other so no biggie. He was very to the point and answered all my family's questions. Overall I am satisfied with my choice of Treatment center and look forward to my new life.

Have only had consultation with Dr. Schreiber.

First impression: Serious but caring. I liked that our consultation proceded as if he did not have anyone else waiting. He patiently listened to questions from husband and I and answered them directly and honestly. My husband was much reassured after meeting Dr. Schreiber.

I met with Dr. Schreiber on May 21, 2002. My first impression of him is that he is very competent, professional, and knowledgeable. He seems to have a deep concern for treating morbid obesity, and understands the burden it places on your health. We talked about my medical history and family history. We spoke about risks and complication rates. He stressed that it is not a "magic" solution and that it is more of a "tool". He spoke highly of group support and stressed that continuing with peer support (before and after) was very important. I am glad that he will be my surgeon and am now starting the insurance ball rolling. Wish me luck. The office staff was exremely friendly and they seemed pretty organized. I had heard that his bedside manner was not that friendly, but I found him to be very friendly and patient.