Dr. Richard Stahl?

Just wondering about thoughts on him from anyone who has seen him?  Dr. Ronald Clements did my surgery at UAB but he left recently and Dr. Stahl has taken his place.  I was 4 years out April 12th so I'm due to go in for follow up and labs... I loved Dr. Clements :(  ... I have had some regain though so would like to go in and talk to the Dr. & do my labs as a bit of a new starting point....

He was in the practice with my Dr, Dr. Sherer--I saw him when I had my surgery and I liked him and I know several folks that are his patients-never heard any negatives.

Kim

Hi Candice,

I used Dr. Stahl and really liked him. He answered questions and seemed to a very caring doctor. I went for my visit in 2006 and had regained almost 50 pounds. I left his office feeling defeated, ashamed and embarrassed. He didn't sweet talk just came out and told me I was a failure. I guess for some people that's what they need. A good slap in the face to wake them up. It did the opposite for me. I became depressed and gave up even trying to lose my weight. He didn't tell me that I could get back on track or that I could still use my tool. I developed cancer in 2008 and of course, lost all of the weight gain. I've stayed down for a year now so I'm hoping I have enough resolve to do better from here on out. I have not been back to see Dr. Stahl and probably will not return but would not discourage you from seeing him. I think I was already feeling remorse about the weight gain and when he told me I was a failure I just accepted it and left his office feeling like a failure. My oncologist does all of my blood work now and is treating me for low iron, osteoporosis, low calcium, etc. I feel so much better about myself. I may go back to Dr. Stahl one day but for now it is too fresh in my mind.

Again, I would not discourage you from using him as he really is a good doctor. Everyone is not like me. I really was a failure and needed to be told but it hurt just the same and still does.

DebbieDoo

Dr. Stahl performed my surgery and he was fantastic!  He took the extra time to make sure I had the easiest and fastest surgery and recover.  I have not been back to see him in a while...partly because I have had a weight gain.  Reading Debbie's comment I'm kind of glad I haven't!  I need to lose those few pounds and get back in his office, though....

Reading her post made me a little afraid of going back in with this regain too but I guess I could just make an appointment and see how it goes because I do need labs too!  If I go before you do, I'll let you know how it goes!  :D

You defnitely need to make your own choice based on how you feel when you go in. He really is a good doctor and I know that there could have been many factors involved the day I saw him. I had at least a 50 lb. weight gain after doing so well. I had let my lab work go far too long so he was probably already not happy about that. Still, I wish he had been encouraging instead of making me feel so worthless and such a failure. You just never know what will work with one person to the next. He may have used that on another patient and perhaps they turned around. Unfortunately, I already had such a low self esteem till that set me back even further.

I wish I hadn't shared my experience with you because I really don't think you can make a fair judgement based on how things went for me. I was the one who was wrong in letting myself get to where I was.

Good luck on your weight loss and again, please give him a chance.

DebbieDoo

I love to Dr. Stahl!!! I am about to be 4 years out as well and need to do a check-in with him. Do you have his contact info for his new office?

You have to call (205) 934-8047 and talk to Sue. He is working at UAB now and I hope you have a better appointment than I did.

Dr. Stahl performed my surgery Oct 2009. Since that time I have lost 62 pounds. I think he did a wonderful job and I have had no problems. However yesterday I had an appointment with him at UAB and I was so mad at having to wait over 2-1/2 hours I just left without seeing him. I was told my appointment was the 1st one and I know he was there because I saw him. He didn't extend any courtesy to me after waiting so long so yes he is a good physician but his after care needs help. I won't go back to see him. I drove over 2 hours to make that appointment which took me over a month to get and it was for nothing. If he cares not for after care than he should refer his patients to someone who does.