Robert L Richard Bariatric Surgeon MD, FACS

My first impression of Dr. Richard was WOW! I found him to be very compassionate of his work. His office staff is very nice and do their job top notch! Dr. Richard made sure that I knew exactly what was going to take place during surgery and that I was comfortable with everything. He had a gentle way of assuring me that being nervous was okay. I am so glad that he is going to be a part of this life changing journey with me! Dr. Richard is not only surgically competence, but his bedside manners are awesome! I think you have to have both to be a successful surgeon.

My first impression of Dr. Richard ... What a sweet, gentle and understanding man! He has such a pleasure to talk with and had the answers to all of my questions, and concerns.rn

Dr. Richard is the best! He doesn't try to rush you out of the office when you see him and he seems truly concerned at how I am doing. He is awesome! I have only had very positive experiences with the staff at Obesity Solutions and would highly recommend them to anyone considering surgery.

-The most compationate, understanding physician I have ever met.
-My security in his ability grew each time I saw him.
-Very professional, friendly and caring staff.
- nothing
- Dr. Richard and Proctor are the surgeon's to see in Gainesville, GA or surrounding area.
- Aftercare is as important if not more so that preop care.
-Everything from the nutritionist to the psychologist and everyone in between is great!
-Risks are discussed very openly and honestly. No guarentees are made.
-Again Dr. Richard is the BEST!!!!!!!!
- they are all great!!!! I have never met a surgeon that came in from vacation to take care of a patient's post-op problem, but Dr. Richard did.

I've only had my 1st interview with Dr. Robert (still have my official pre-op and then the surgery to go), but I was impressed with him from the get-go.

I had originally been expecting Dr. Proctor, the senior doctor, since that was who I thought I had made the appt. with, and was a little dissappointed to find out it wasn't him; especially since Dr. Proctor was whom I had been checking out. But Dr. Robert put me at ease. He had been a physician in the air force (I think - one of the armed forces, my papers aren't right in front of me) and that always impresses me, because military training is some excellent training past med school.

Of course he was this very in shape, thin guy; so I wanted to know why, coming out of the military, would he be interested in this type of surgery. He said he had seen people struggling with weight gain, even in the military, and the side effects of it, and he thought this was one of the best ways he could use his skills to help ( my paraphrasing, but the basic gist.) I was impressed.

About 1/4 of their nursing and support staff has had gastric bypass surgery, including their "liason" who helps set things up between all the different doctor's, hospitals, and other appt.s; so the staff is very helpful. They also have two physicians who concentrate solely on vascular disease, so not all patients in the office are GBS, so that's a little unnerving, but not too bad.

Although Dr. Proctor has struggled with his weight (not to the point of surgery), Dr. Richard is very fit, so I'm not sure he can completely empathize with the patient, but he is very kind and respectful.

They are very strict about their aftercare program, requiring a signed contract that you will attend weekly groups support meetings and monthly follow-up visits for the first year.

They have one policy that I am unsure of; they will not operate on someone who is a smoker. This is Dr. Proctor's edict. He says there is no sense in operating on someone for the #2 leading cause of death in the US, if they are going to keep right on doing the #1 cause of death in the US. At first I was like "You go, boy!", because my Dad smokes AND needs this surgery, and I thought this would make him give up his cigarettes. Well, it backfired, it just made him decide he didn't want the surgery, because obviously the doctors didn't care about how much pain he was in. So I'm still trying to decide on that one.

Hello,
I met with Dr. Richard today? (10/05/05) What a guy. My first impression of him was very impressive. He talk to me about surgery and what my expectations where. He then evaluate me and ask if I had any question or concerns. At that time I was pretty much up on everything. I'm online everyday looking for new information about the program and updates on other patients progress.

my first impression of Dr Richard was amazing! i knew from the start of my journey i wanted him to do my surgery. i always feel like he is truly and guinually intrested in me and my well being! that ment a lot to me since i hadnt cared for my own self in a long time! i thought that Dr Proctor was extremely wonderful too but there was just something about Dr Richard that made me 100% sure that i would be OK!

10-10-05 - I was reading through the testimonials, and realized I never really gave a "post surgery" testimonial. I could NOT have been happier with the care and concern I received through Dr. Richard, his staff and the staff at Lanier Park hospital.
He was so very thorough, I was not able to go through with the laporiscopic as I had hoped, due to my liver being extremely enlarged, so I wound up having open, but it was still and IS still the grandest thing I have ever done for myself. To date, I am down 140 pounds... I have about 40 more to lose (60 more if you go by the charts, but I really think that would make me too thin). My life has changed dramatically for the better, and I owe it to Dr. Richard. I have been for 2 follow up appointments, and that level of care has not waivered at all. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU Dr. Richard!!!
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Thus far, I have only met Dr. Richard through the community class held back in October 2003. I was impressed with his forthright attitude, and honesty. His credentials appear to be excellent. I have a friend who has had surgery by him, and now my friend's wife will do the same.
So far, I have only spoken with Lisa E. in his office, and she has been nothing short of wonderful.
6-11-04 - had an individual consult with Dr. Richard. He was awesome. I waltzed in there with my list of questions, so nervous I could hardly speak. He put me at ease, never made me feel like I was keeping him from something, filled me in on all my questions plus some.

My opinion of Dr. Richard....
I met him at my first information meeting and that is when he really showed off. He answered all the questions I had mostly during the period of time that he was explaining everything. Then when he opened up for questions, he was so detailed with his answers. He did not seem to be rushed or in a hurry to get away, I mean, it was a Saturday. He was there till the very end and then some.
He is a very personable Doctor. I never felt uneasy with any of my personal questions, he was very easy to talk to and never minded re-explaining himself if I needed it.
His office staff were so frienly and helpfull. I never called his office that I did not get a call back the same day. Dr. Richard and his staff meade this experience a very positive one for me and I highly recommend Dr.Richard for the Gastric ByPass Surgery.

DR. Richard is GREAT!!