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

My first impression of Dr. Stahl was how nice he was. The office staff was so NICE, and that means so much to me.
He emphasized the risk, and the aftercare.
I rate him as a A++++

4/07/01
I had my first appointment with Dr.Stahl on 3/19/01 .I found him to be very nice and took a great deal of time with me. He answered all of my questions. He explained the risks and the honest expectations for this surgery. I feel extremely comfortable w/him.I would like to know a little more about the hospital.I found his office staff nice,especially his nurse.I hope to have approval soon.
4/25/01
I have a surgery date!!!! Finally!!!! I feel like I have been trying to pulling eye teeth. I have known for two weeks that the insurance approved my surgery and Dr Stahl's office only received my letter YESTERDAY. That was after I called the insurance company three times. If any of you experience the same problem, just be nice but persistant. My surgery is scheduled for May 7th. That is less than two weeks.I go next week for pre-op testing. I will update after that.
5/2/01
Iwent today to have my pre-op testing today. The ladies at the Surgery Center were great. I feel comfortable with them taking care of me Monday.MONDAY! I can't believe that. Thanks for the support that I have received. My daughter is going to update on Tuesday. Keep me in your prayers.
5/12/01
Well, it's over!!!!!!! I am doing great!!! I am having some soreness in my upper stomach but otherwise I am great.
This was he most incredible experience. I don't believe that my faith has ever been stronger. I did have a problem Monday evening after I got to ICU.I had to go to ICU because of sleep apnea. I began to cough up a lot of stuff and it was really bloody. The nurses jumped on the situation and made sure I was okay. The problem we believe came from the tubes that were put down my nose and throat and I was retaining some fluid. I spent 2 days in ICU and then went to the floor.I went home on Friday morning. I can't think of anything but great things to say about Dr Stahl and the hospital. I really got the best care. Eating as not been a problem so far. I haven't been sick but it does hurt a little when I eat. I have had grits, mashed potatoes, eggs, toast and jello. The best thing and the easiest thing to go down was a half of a turkey sandwich on lite bread. Go figure!! I will update as soon as I can. THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT!!!!!!

I was really impressed with Dr Stahl he was
very knowledgable, patient, and when I aked a
question he did not know the answer to he went and asked another doctor so that he gave me good information. I trust him and I will use him for my lap surgery. I am already appoved and just have to change insurance info. They will call tommorrow with
surgery date I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!! I would
recommend Dr Stahl to anyone, His nurse was
really nice and Susy was okay to but the lady at the reception window Jan I think, could use an attitude adjustment. My surgery has been scheduled for May 4th 2001!!!!!!!

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.

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.
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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!
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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.
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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 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.

I found myself completely at ease with Dr. Stahl, he really reminded me of a doctor that I have used in Selma. He answered myh
questions and I asked some he didn't know. Hair coloring and tatoos, what would happen with them. I have now found out - nothing. My tatoos look better - they are shrinking with the fatness. His office staff was very nice and made me feel ok about myself. The hospital staff was excellent. If I am ever sick again for any reason, I want to go back there. I have referred several people to Dr. Stahl and some of them are in the planning phase now. He and his office made sure I understood everything that would happen and the risk involved. I guess the only negative thing that really happened during my stay with the surgery was that my room was very close to the nurses desk and it was a little loud sometimes, but I just kept my door closed. Nothing negative at the doctors office at all. I have been there a total of 3 times to date and everyone is just as nice as they were the first time.