Richard Stahl Bariatric Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S.

06/26/2001: I met Dr. Stahl today. Not what I expected, but then I don't know what I expected. He introduced himself, sat and reviewed my medical info, asked questions and answered my list of questions. I think it was because it was the end of the day, and I was the last patient (there had been an emergency earlier and he was running behind). I didn't really feel slighted and he seemed nice and competent enough. He was honest about the Lap surgery and my weight, but I left with the feeling that something was missing. I guess I expected too much. His staff gave me an appointement for today, wrote me a card with the date and time on it, but forgot to write it in the appt. book. So after MAJOR persistance, I got to wait 2 hours until I was the last one and they called me back. The rest of the staff was very nice, and Suzy has been the nicest. I am chalking it up to a "test" for what I am willing to endure in order to have this surgery and not indicative of what is to come, moving forward as quickly as possible so I can get a surgery date.
07/09/2001: Susy has been GREAT, keeping in contact with me as requested, so that we can get everything done as quickly as possible. She has returned phone calls, answered faxes, & completed my file for insurance company within a reasonable amount of time. 07/30/2001: I have to say that Susy has been wonderful. She has returned my calls, & called me ASAP when they got the letter. She made this happen so quickly, because if she had been as slow as other offices I hear about, it could have taken forever. I treated her with respect, did not waste her time, left her voice mails when needed, and am VERY pleased with her getting my stuff done so quickly and with a good attitude! Thank you Susy! 08/24/2001: 4 days post-op, very impressed with his skills. Incisions are tiny, no staples, no tape, look like little skinny scabs. They will be gone soon, will not even be able to see them. No pain, just soreness! The hospital staff on the 2nd floor was the BEST! Nothing but praise for them all!

May 18, 2001 - I went to see Dr. Richard Stahl in Alabaster for the first time and was
impressed. He took time to answer most of my questions and me and my husband felt more at ease after talking to him. He plans the newest procedure laparascopy with me and has done 14 of this type at this time and over 270 of the open incision type. I had a BMI of 50 or 51 and normally want to do the laparascoptic bewteen 40-48 BMI (body mass index), but since I am pear shape and most of my fat is on my hips and thighs he said I would be ok for it. People who are apple shape have more fat in the middle and it gets in the way of surgery and other problems may arise so if you are apple shape and BMI is over 48 he does not want to do it. He said he has had 3 patients to die but one person had so many problems and he turned them down in the beginning and didn't expect them to make it and one had a blood clot who did not get up and about much and walk and the other one had problems they did not be upfront about in the beginning. I was told I may be able to drive in 10 days after surgery when I see him again if he oks it but cannot lift for 6-8 weeks. The open incision operation it takes you longer to recover. I have spoke to 3 other women who went to him and they are all doing great. His nurse was very nice and the office staff were nice to me. Dr. Stahl did have a good bedside manner and seemed to know his stuff. You have to have calcium, iron , multivitamins, B-12 injections and he said taking 2 chewable Flintstones are fine and get the one with iron and thats enough iron.
He says to eat 3 meals a day but you probaly will be able to eat a few bits and he said I would be off liquids in a few days and start solids. He said with laparascoptic surgery I would be in the hospital 3 days/2 nights.

I now have my first conseltation with Dr. Stahl on August 6,2001. I am so excited and nervous and impatient. The lady that called was very sweet, and pleasant.
08-04-01 My first appt was yesterday on the 3rd (it was moved up due to a scheduling error) Dr. stahl and his staff were great. He was very honest and thorough. He let me ask all my questions and answered them patiently. My husband and I were very impressed.
08-1701.. I have been treated very kindly by everyone at the drs. office. While updating this part of my profile, I noticed this thing said to be honest, even the bad things, but I have to say, so far Ive had the best experience with the dr and his staff. Everyone has been wonderful and patient and kind and just as sweet as could be... I am hopeing to rcv my surgery date next week.

I was very impressed with the doctor, because he laid all the cards on the table. His staff is absolutely wonderful, will help in anyway. You can ask them anything, and if they dont know it they will find it out for you and let you know..My whole experience was wonderful..I am doing very well after the surgery.. If i had to do it again i would.. I have no regrets...

(3/16) My first impression of Dr. Stahl is great! He took several minutes (almost an hour) answering all my husband's questions.(My husband is the Director of Surgical Technolgy at Calhoun Community College.) He has a genuine concern for his patients and really knows his stuff. He went over all the risks of surgery. I didn't have to wait long to see him, and his office staff was very nice. The pre-op blood work went great and I even talked to Dr. Stahl some more. He was very reassuring. After surgery, he talked to my husband and I saw him the next day. Then, his associate came to release me on Sunday. Everyone was very nice at the hospital!

Dr. Stahl and his office staff were eager to help along my way to WLS. On my initial consultation Dr. Stahl took approx. 45 minutes to answer all my questions. He was very forthright with all the risks as well as benifits. I immediatly felt at ease with his capabilities as a surgeon. Being a nurse, I was aware of the great risk of abdominal surgery for the obese. After my exam Dr. Stahl told me that a Laproscopic RNY was possible. I guess the thing I liked most about Dr. Stahl was that he didnt make me feel like a failure for needing this surgery. He talked briefly about my diet history. I didnt feel beat up about not being able to loose the weight by conventional methods. Future patients should be aware that the waiting time for a consultation is a few weeks and waiting room time in the office can be long - BUT WORTH THE WAIT !!! Dr. Stahl gives individual attention. I was glad to wait for my appt. because I knew that I would get the same individualized care. My aftercare was planned prior to my surgery. I saw Dr. Stahl in the office at 1 week post op then was scheduled to see him in 3 months for my B12 injection, etc. I would rate Dr. Stahl a 12 on a 1 - 10 scale. He far exceeded my expectations. I felt that I was well cared for, in the OR as well as the bedside. The only negative thing that I can say about my experience was that the only times I talked to Dr. Stahl was during my first interview then just prior to going into the OR. I would liked to have spoken to him about last minute things prior to the prep area. His nurse is always available in the office, but I do wish that I had made an appt. after I got my insurance approval for last minute questions.

My first impression was that he was very informative, he didn't beat around the bush in telling me the pro's and con's of the surgery. The benefits and the risk. He was very clear on letting me know that this was a major surgery not to be taken lightly. He was very nice. The staff at his office were nice warm and compassionate, no matter how many times I called the insurance clerk asking her has she received a letter. He did explain to me that it would be a life long change and he told me the percentages of weightloss to be expected.

I first went to see Dr. Stahl in June, 2001. He was very professional, but also had a good personality. He readily answered all of my questions and made me feel more at ease about the surgery. His staff were great. The only problems that I had were: the long wait - but it was worth it, and
the waiting room was small - some people had to stand, until people were called to see the doctor. But, overall I would do it again even if I had to stand the whole amount of time.

I first met Dr. Stahl when my friend went for her consultation. Then I decided this was what I wanted also and I picked Dr. Stahl because he was very informative and answered all our questions honestly. I felt he would give me the best care and after my consultation I felt this even more. Because I am almost 60 he was very concerned for me and I really liked the fact that he didn't just say he would take my case without a lot of thought and checking on my over all health. He really does care about his patients.

Today was my first appt. with Dr. Stahl he was great. very open about it all. i thought if he is honest enough to tell me the bad with the good then he is very honest. he let me know right quick this was not a CURE at all. and all the risk that are involved he even told me of the one's who had passed away after surgery!! but we know that is a risk. i was very pleased with him and his staff!!! now we are waiting on approval everyone keep your fingers crossed and me in your prayers. God Bless!!!