Cahaba Valley Surgical Group, PC Bariatric Center

Dr. Sherer has done two other surgeries on me prior to the bastric bypass, and I like him very much. He is willing to give you whatever time you need to talk to him, and even though he is very professional, he is also very warm.His office staff, Jan, Susy, Diane and Patty are all terrific! Dr. Shere requested that I follow all of his advice, that I start an excercise program and that I go to overeaters anonymous. I have done all but the last, which I substituted with a support group instead.At first, I wanted more specific aftercare advice, but now I realize that this experience is unique. From talking to other patients of Dr. Sherer's as well as other surgeon's patients, I realize that what foods you can tolerate well is very individualized. I would encourage anyone doing this to join a support group, because they have already been through it all and their advice is GOLD! I prefer a doctor who has both competence and personality, so Dr. Sherer worked well for me.One thing I loved was that I had no sutures to remove-all of the sutures were inside!

I met Dr. Stahl on April 10th, 2001 and my impression of him is very highly.....He was very nice to my Husband and I.....He was really informative.....Willing to answer any of my questions.....discussed all aspects of the surgery with me....I really like him and if my insurance approves me he will be the one doing my surgery....I feel completely comfortable with my life in his hands....Although he did discuss the possibility of me having the lap rny I think I am going to go with the open because he said he was doing his first actual lap today.....but he also told me he had scrubbed in on many during his training period so I am sure he will be as successful with the lap as with open.
His Staff was really very nice....I met Jan and Diane they were both so sweet and very helpful to Scott and I....Just all around friendly people.

Dr. Sherer seemed to be real nice and a believer in the Lord above. (A huge plus for me)He was really great through the whole thing. His staff was very friendly.And helped in all ways.I liked everything about Dr. Sherer he explained thing to me and the staff took care of the insurance. It went real fast...I have to go back in 2 months to check aboutvit. shots ect.He wanted me to know all about the risk. They send out a packet that explains everything to you then they are there to answer any questions you also.I couldn't ask for a better doctor.
Both are great.I must say that this was what my case was therefore all the views above pretain to me...

3/8/01 (Thurs)- Dr. Sherer is so nice. His staff as well was very polite and seemed caring. Dr. Sherer stated several times that this is not a cure but an aid in the fight of obesity. He stated that this helps the physical part of losing weight but that there is still the mental part of obesity and how we view food. He offered information on a local support group to help with this. He really stressed the aftercare as well. He said that is another key to the success of the surgery. I was very pleased with him.

My appointment with Dr. Stahl was February 27, 2001. He seems to be very nice, and very knowledgeable. He was very frank about the possible complications of the surgery, and ready to answer any questions. His office staff has been very friendly and helpful, especially Jan, who handles insurance. So far, I believe I have chosen the right doctor for my surgery.

I had my first consultation visit with Dr. Stahl. I was very impressed with his knowledge of the procedures as well as with the way he took time to answer all of my questions even though I knew he was running behind schedule that day. He addressed the risks very candidly and emphasized the need to think everything through completely to make a knowledgeable decision. His office staff was very helpful and described ways in which I could speed the approval process. I would rate his surgical competence and bedside manner excellent. He also explained that he is about to begin implementing the lap RNY procedure and told me that I would be a candidate for that type if I chose to be in the first group. Hmmmm. I will have to think about that. These comments are based soley on my experience in his office and I am making no statements about what others may experience.

6-5-2000 I have requested information from the office of Dr. Stahl. They make you mail in a bunch of forms and read some information before scheduling a first appointment.
___________________________

6-8-2000 I received information packet last night and called the office first thing this morning. My first appt is next Friday, June 16th. Yay!
____________________________

6-19-00 Had my first visit with Dr. Stahl Friday and it went well. He very patiently answered all my questions and explained the procedure. I was impressed with his demeanor and candidness. All the women in his office were extremely friendly and helpful - it was a very positive experience overall. Jan is faxing my insurance request today.
____________________________

8-27-00 I just realized I never did finish my surgeon description. Well, Dr. Stahl is an amazing surgeon. He performed my open RNY and I NEVER had any tubes coming out of my stomach or down my nose. I was in the hospital 4 nights. You can read my entire surgery story on my website at www.suchaprettyface.net.

Dr. Stahl is not an outgoing, friendly guy - but that was fine with me. He was exactly what I wanted - an excellent, serious-minded surgeon. If you're used to people being all overly friendly and smiles you might be put off at first by Dr. Stahl. But trust me - the man knows what he's doing with this surgery. He's a board certified Bariatric surgeon, but he doesn't "advertise" wls like a lot of doctors do. I'm glad he was my surgeon.

11-9-00 I had my 3 month follow up at Dr. Stahl's office on Wednesday. I did not see him - just the nurse. Which was fine with me - she was very friendly. I got a shot of B-12, she weighed me and checked my scar. It was relatively painless and quick. I go back in 3 more months.

1-29-01 I have decided to start seeing my primary care doctor for my follow-ups. I spoke to Diane at Dr. Stahl's office this morning (she is his extremely nice nurse practitioner who gives the B-12 shots and weighs you at your follow ups.) Anyway, I told her about my conversation with Bitch Suzy last week (who by the way called me back and said that if I wanted to call Blue Cross and find out a code so they would pay for the B-12 then I could do that. GREAT service huh?). I told her that I had also talked to several of Dr. Stahl's patients who also had very negative things to say about both Suzy and Jan, the insurance coordinator. Diane was extremely nice and she even told me exactly what to tell my doctor for the followup care (how much B-12, etc). So I won't have to drive to Alabaster next week for my 6 month checkup - I have an appointment with my regular doc on the 7th. And he will definitely file it so that it gets paid for.
I want to say this though - I would still recommend Dr. Stahl 100% to anyone looking for a surgeon. He is a brilliant surgeon and that is the most important thing to consider when looking for someone who is going to cut you open and reroute your insides. Some of his staff might be bitchy but please don't let that scare you away from him if you are thinking about wls.

I first met Dr. Sherer on Jan. 30. My husband and I were both very impressed with him. He was kind and considerate. He answered all of my questions thoroughly. The main thing we liked was that he said the results were basically in God's hands. It is not often that you find a doctor who will mention God, and it really encouraged me. Dr. Sherer also said that he believed himself to be a very good surgeon. He sounded very competent but not conceited. Right now I am waiting on insurance approval. I feel confident that Dr. Sherer will do a great job when the time comes.

I met him in his office on 02/05/2001. I like Dr. Stahl alot, I thought he was very patient and explained the details to me completely. He had no problem answering any of my qustions or my husbands. The girls in the office were very sweet and helpful also. They processed my paperwork quickly and sent it off to Blue Cross, so now we sit and wait.

02/19/01 Well I got my date March 1st. I think I am going to blow up.

02/23/01 I went to Dr. Stahl's office yesterday for pre-surgical instructions. All I can say is that the staff in his office is absolutely angels without wings. They are very supportive and informative. I have never felt rushed or put off by anyone in the office. When I call or when I have gone in they have been wonderful. Thanks to a great staff!!!!!

2-20-01 I met Dr. Stahl today at his office in Alabaster. I was extremely satisfied with him. He was very patient with all of my questions and took his time to answer every one of them. I was also very pleased with his staff. Jan and the other ladies were very sweet and helpful. All of them greeted me with a smile. That is VERY important to me. My overall opinion of Dr. Stahl and his staff was excellent. I would definately recommend them to anyone.