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

Dr.Stahl was very nice. Very professional. His office staff didn't seem to thrilled to be there, but don't let them bother you. However, Dr.Stahl didn't spend much time with me. I sat in the waiting room for 1 1/2 hours after my scheduled time and was able to speak with him for only 15 minutes. As I understood it he had an emergency come up that caused him to get behind. Maybe I was just there on a bad day for them. I can't quite comment on his surgical competence just yet. I don't think it would be fair to comment one way or the other until I'm post op. Will update more then.

5-25-01 - My first appointment with Dr. Stahl. I was so nervous and excited at the same time. After waiting about an hour, I finally got to go back. His nurse was super nice - she didn't make me feel bad about being so heavy and she was very nice and helpful. Dr. Stahl came in shortly and did a brief examination and we began talking. He was very patient, caring and professional. He took the time to explain the surgery and answer all my questions - which I had plenty! He felt that I would be a good candidate for the surgery and now would begin to try and get insurance approval. This could take as much as 6-8 weeks!
Dr. Stahl's office staff were all very friendly, and helpful. They also gave me a sheet with names of people who had previously had the surgery to contact. I thought this was very helpful.
The only down side to my experience so far is in the chairs in Dr. Stahl's office. They have arms on them (with the exception of one loveseat) and for a larger person, this can be uncomfortable. There were other larger people in the office however, so you don't feel as if you're the only one!

7-21-01 - I had to go back today for my pre-op tests, and I felt I needed to update here with my experiences of this day - it could be of help to others. First of all, I met my good friend Debbie there, who is having surgery the day after I am. We are going through this together. When we got there, there was no one there to answer our questions, and of course, after your first consultation, you go home and think of 100 other things you forgot to ask. We had to go back after lunch. At that time, the room was so crowded, we could hardly get a seat. Then we ended up waiting and waiting. We were there for 2 hours, just waiting to talk to Diane - Dr. Stahl's nurse. We finally did get to and she answered our questions in between going in and out.
Also, something else I have to say here that concerns me. Not at any time during my visits at the doctors office or the hospital has my blood pressure been taken. They just ask if you have high blood pressure or diabetes or any of the weight-related problems. I finally broke down and went to a medical doctor in March of this year and had all that checked. But, as many obese people know - sometimes you don't even have a doctor because of fear of going to one. So, if you decide to have this surgery and go to the doctor not having seen a medical doctor - you really don't know if you have these problems or not. I think they should at least take your blood pressure during your visits. This really surprised me.

Dr. Stahl was very informative, understanding and helpful at my first visit. His staff was friendly and efficient also. Dr. Stahl re-emphasized the risks and benefits of the surgery. On my surgery day, everything ran smooth and on-time, Dr. Stahl was prompt and very curtious. I had little to zero pain afterwards and zero problems with my incisions. Dr. Stahl did a wonderful job.

7/8/01 Had my surgery on July 5. All went well and Dr. Stahl was as good as I thought he would be. Hospital care was excellent.

5/25/01 Met Dr. Stahl today. I liked him very much. He was very personable, likable, and thorough. I faith in his ability. He was up front about his experience with lap surgery and I respect his surgical knowledge. Everyone in his office was very, very nice. I was assured that the letter and supporting information would be sent to the insurance company on Tuesday (after the Memorial holiday weekend). So I will start bugging Blue Cross soon.

6/15/01 Dr. Stahl's office staff has been very helpful. I have contacted the office a couple of times to check on progress and to ask about a specific surgery date before I received approval. Although the date could not be confirmed until approval was received, I was encouraged that the date I wished for was certainly possible, and the day that the approval letter was received, I was called and they worked with me to arrange pre-op testing at my convenience as I would be coming from out of town. Everyone in the office was pleasant, courteous, and "just plain sweet" to me.

Dr. Stahl was very patient and thorough. He went through my medical history extensively and my husband, mother in law, and I were extremely impressed.

The office staff was extremely pleasant and honest.

Dr. Stahl did a wonderful job on the day of surgery. I was late going into surgery, because he had to scrub in on an emergency surgery, so my time was supposed to be 11:30 a.m. and ended up being 2:30 p.m. He came to see me in the holding area before I went to surgery and asked if I had any last minute questions and did I understand what was going to happen. He was extremely caring.

After the surgery, he talked to my family and told them what to expect for the first couple of weeks.

I can not speak more highly of Shelby Baptist Medical Center in Alabaster. I didn't have a single person who was not overly compassionate and helpful.

Dr. Sherer, Dr. Stahl's partner, discharged me from the hospital and was also extremely nice.

Dr. Stahl is a wonderful physician. He is caring and is not a bit cocky or rude to people who are overweight, even though he is skinny!!!!!

I am only 2 days post-op but Dr. Stahl did a fantastic job.

dr. stahl was very honest and straight forward. i liked the fact that he was honest about how he hadnt done many lap procedures, however, he was still reassuring. his office staff was very nice, especially susan, the office manager. they were very thorough and prompt in submitting my paperwork to the ins. co. i was going to dr. clements to begin with & 5 weeks after my office visit, they still hadnt submitted my paperwork. dr.stahls office had it submitted the next week. i really like dr. clements and in all fairness im not sure if he is aware of how incompetent his office staff seems.dr. stahl went over the risks, he seemed very knowledgable about the procedure. he seemed nice and willing to answer any questions. my lap procedure is scheduled for july 2,2001. so far, so good.

When I had my first appointment with Dr. Stahl which was June 12th 2001 it was a very pleasant experience. The staff was friendly and Dr Stahl is wonderful he is really down to earth and friendly. He answered any and all questions that I had to ask. They took BEFORE pictures that was kind of funny I guess. Dr Stahl asks you if you want to take them or not and I agreed to take them. I also met the nicest patients there that made me feel so comfortable there. I felt wonderful after leaving there with all the support offered.I go 06-21-01 for my preadmission testing and surgery will be on 06-28-01. I will keep you posted on my progress.

I have only met Dr. Stahl one time, and I
found him to be upfront and straightforward,
which is what I want. So far everyone in his
office has been great. They seemed as excited
for me as my friends. I liked the location
of his office to the hospital. I feel that I
have made a good decision. I'll know more
after the surgery.
P.S. Dr. Elizabeth Stahl is my primary doctor
and she is the BEST ever!!! I owe her a lot.
I believe Dr. Richard must be special to have
attracted her as his wife.

I had my first visit with Dr. Stahl today May 29. I only had to wait about 5 minutes and his staff was very nice and helpful. Dr. Stahl was very professional and he answered all my questions with confidence and in terms I could understand. I am now at phase II, the insurance waiting phase.
I am convinced this is the surgeron for me.
God Bless you all.

Dr. Sthals is my doctor he seems very caring.
Very nice and pleasant.
I like him even more now.
Very friendly and helpful.Well worth the 2 1/2 hour drive it takes us.
I didn't like the going home instructions after surgery they weren't very complete.
Make a list of questions you want to know and he will answer them.
My first visit after surgery will be friday I expect to learn more then

He gav eme a pretty good profile of good and bad points of the surgery.

I would recomend him to anyone for this surgery.


He is a great surgen and he has a good bedside mannor.