Medical University of South Carolina Bariatrics Bariatric Center

Dr. Byrne seemed a bit stand-offish at first, but as I continued my visits toward the surgery, this changed. He is very knowledgeable and competent. He put me at ease quickly and did not hesitate to answer any question I had, even when I thought they were kinda stupid. I highly recommend him. Dr. Byrne's nurses and staff are wonderful, especially Joyce! She probably got tired of my phone calls, but I would have never known that. She was always reassuring and nice. The entire program at MUSC was wonderful. I found the meeting that is required before surgery to be informative and provided a great reference guide.

I thought that he was very informative, and very honest. He tells you the risks and the benefits, and lets you know that this is not a magic bullet, but a tool to help you become healthy. He stresses the fact that it is up to you to use the tool. His office staff are nice, and pleasant. The worst part of the visit is the lenght of time that you wait to see everyone. The class before surgery is very informative about what to expect in the hospital. I not sure about the aftercare. I rate him great. I feel that surgical competence over rides bedside manner. When my life is in his hands, I don't care a lick what his bedside manner is. I want his skill.

My first impression of Dr. Byrne was fairly neutral. I had read many reviews from his patients. They were fairly mixed. Some liked him, some did not. He took his time with me and answered all the questions I had. I had done much research before going to see him so I didn't have many questions. Any I did have were answered at the large general meeting that he holds in the afternoon following the morning's appointments. The afternoon session was very thorough and Dr. Byrne carefully discussed risks and complications.

His office staff have been nothing but pleasant and nice to me every time I have had any contact with them.

For a doctor whom I am going to see over and over again on a regular basis, a good bedside manner is important. For this serious, major surgery, surgical competence is better to have. I can deal with a lack of bedside manner for the relatively few times I will actually see the surgeon over the course of my life.

My first impression, which, by the way, was wrong, was that Dr. Byrne was pretty stand-offish. But I was so impressed with his straightforwardness and honesty, that I figured I could deal with the standoffishness. He was very upfront about the risks of the surgery.
Since that first impression, I have found that he is indeed, a kind man. He has been so good about explaining everything.
The PA who saw me in the hospital was also very good. She answered all my questions and encouraged me to call for further information if needed. Dr Byrne also encouraged telephone followup if needed.

Dr. B also emphasized followup and aftercare very strongly.

Overall, I would, and have, trusted this man with my life. I have no qualms about recommending him to others who enquire.

My first impression was not really a fair assessment since I was not dealing one on one with Dr. Byrne. He was addressing a group of about 15 to 20 people. So, in retrospect, I would say that both his surgical competence, and bedside manner, are great. I have absolutely no complaints.

Dr. Byrne is a very nice and up front surgeon. All the staff there is great.I was 45 minutes late to my first clinic visit due to traffic and the staff didn't turn me away. Every question that my family asked was answered. Afterward, my spouse and children talk about Dr. Byrne and we all agree this is the doctor for me.

Seems like a great doc. He turned 3 patients away on the day of my first visit. One woman was livid, but he is picky about who he operates on, thus his high success level.

<b>12/20/02</b> --- My initial consultation with Dr. Byrne is March 6, 2003. I have heard/read a lot of great things about him so I am very anxious to meet him and be on my way to a healthier life!<p>


<b>3/6/03</b> --- I met with Dr Byrne and I can say that I am very comfortable with him. He seems like a very caring and honest doctor. I am excited about moving on from here. I should have a surgery date soon and can hardly wait!<p>

<b>4/10/03</b> --- I now have a surgery date of September 3rd! It seems soooo far away, but I know it will get here in time. I am getting so psyched. Dr Byrne's nurse tells me that we won't know if my insurance will cover it until 30 days before my date. That part was a bit dissapointing, but I know that it will happen when it happens.<p>

<b>8/5/03</b> --- Sorry it's been so long since I posted, I have just been letting time get by me and cannot believe we are now less than a month away! WOW is all I can say...time has absolutely flown. I got a call today from MUSC and my insurance was approved no questions asked, gotta love it! I was so afraid something would happen, but it didn't. I will try and keep updated more regularly :) Thank you for all your support. You are all truly wonderful people!<p>

<b>9/20/03</b> --- Once again, I apologize it's been so long since my last update. I appreciate all your emails and kind words checking up on me. I had surgery as planned on 9/3 and so far all is pretty good. I'm still in the stage of asking myself sometimes why I did something like this. I mostly get the feeling when I see a food commercial and I wish I was my old self for just a few minutes so I can wolf that big mac down, lol. I am just over 2 weeks out and can't do much eating at all. I try my best to eat all I can, but sometimes I just want to cry and forget about food all together. It's something I can't explain. I feel like my old self when I'm not eating. I'll see a commercial for food and think "oh I got to have me some of that" then I eat something and feel like poop for the next few hours. Everyone is telling me it will get better. I'm just hoping everyone is right. I'm drinking most of my "recommended" fluids though, so that in itself is a plus and a step forward. As of a few days ago I couldn't get half of it in. Right now I'm researching some alternatives to Tums for my calcium, the chalk is starting to get to me...lol.<p> I went in this past Monday to have my staples out. Some of them hurt like hell, but as soon as they were out it was immediate relief. Those things were little annoying boogers, lol. All in all though as of Monday (only 12 days post-op) I was down 15 pounds. Hey! I'll take it! I go back on 10/16 for my next appointment so we shall see :)<p>

<b>11/04/03</b> --- Well, here I am 2 months post op and feeling pretty good! I am down 55 pounds!! I went in for a checkup on 10/16 and was experiencing a lot of vommiting. I mentioned this to Dr. Byrne and he sent me down to have a scope done thinking I may have a stricture. Turns out I have a big ulcer that I am currently treating with Nexium. So far, much better. I still have some nausea/vommiting if I eat something that doesn't agree with me but nothing like it had been and I thank God for that! <p> I am having some insurance nightmares now though. I got one bill for $18,311 and another for $6,000. I called the billing department of MUSC thinking surely there had been a mistake since I was pre approved, right? WRONG! My insurance denied my claim stating that it wasn't a covered procedure under my plan. Well I think that's a bunch of horse hockey...lol. Apparently, I was pre certified, not pre approved and that doesn't guarantee payment of services. I called Joyce and she sent me over all my medical records to fax in for an appeal, so I'm playing the waiting game for now. So far I've been as sweet as a Georgia peach, but this will soon change if something doesn't happen and soon. I don't have $25,000 laying around and don't plan to take this laying down.<p> Well, enough of my ranting, can't do much good, I'll just leave it in God's hands and we'll see what happens. One more update!! I'm down from a 4x shirt to a 2x and from a 4x pants to a 3x! ~~ Doing the happy dance ~~<p>

<b>11/23/03</b> --- Great news from my insurance company! I called everyday like clockwork and (drum roll please)... they are covering my surgery! Persistance beats resistance in this case I suppose! I'm so happy!!<p>

<b>03/30/04</b> --- I just wanted to update you. I am 6 months out and officially down 100 pounds. 102 to be exact. I am getting more hunger pains in between meals so I need to be careful, but other than that all is well. I am down to a 22 pant and a large-1x shirt. This is very exciting as I don't remember the last time I was this small. I have, in the last month, started wearing jeans again(something I haven't done since I was in middle school!) My official weight is now 252 and I couldn't be happier :) My excersise has increased dramatically in the last couple of weeks and I contribute that to my recent weight loss. I started to plateau there for about a month and was getting worried but now I am back on track. I am up to walking on my treadmill about 2 miles a day. I will keep increasing this as it gets easier. Thank you all for your support, you've been a vast knowledge base for me. I don't think I would have made it this far without you and I look forward to reaching goal with your support.<p>

Dr. Byrne is very nice and makes you feel very comfortable. He doesn't make light of the surgery or the way life will be afterwards. His office staff has been great. They are very helpful and very prompt to answer your questions. He has you attend a class with one of the floor nurses and a dietitian to help explain what will happen and what to expect afterwards.

Dr. Byrne was fantastic. He is extremely thorough and careful. He has a great bedside manner. His office staff were amazing. When you first go for your consult you don't get a lot of time with him, but when you are post op, he makes sure you are taken care of and doesn't hesitate to readmit you if he feels there is a problem. I had a very positive experience with him and all of his staff.

My first impression of him was that he was very direct and to the point, which my husband and I liked from the start. He was kind and understanding. My husband like one phrase he used which was this is a one shot deal, if we don't get it right the first time don't come to him for a second time, he said will not do it again. Which totally agree with him. His office staff has been great also very attentive and helpful. I feel real secure in using Dr. Byrne I have been told by other doctors he is one of the best in this field and I sense that. I could hardly wait to finally see the smaller healthier person that is hidden behind all this weight. Keep me in your prayers!!!