Gwinnett Medical Center Duluth Hospital

Really like Dr. Richard after my initial consult. I feel very comfortable with him. rnThe office staff is a little shaky. Waiting for improvement now that I have opened my big mouth.rnThe surgery prep is very thorough- I both hate it and am grateful for it. It is like a part time job. Lot's of learning. If you don't stick to the program after your surgery you are nuts because they will teach you everything.rnDitto for the aftercare program. They do everything possible to help you succeed. Truly a center of excellence.rnI have scheduled my date! The office staff has really stepped up to the plate and been great.rnAfter my second meeting with Dr. Richard the last concern I have is about the surgery itself. He is wonderful. I just cannot say enough about my experience with him.

Dr Richard is very kind, and understanding. He is very knowlegable and is able to answer all of my questions. The staff at the office is as friendly, and considerate as he is.

Dr. Richard spoke at the Obesity Solutions seminar I attended and he struck me as extremely personable and easy to talk to. I met with him and he examined me then just sat down and patiently answered my questions one by one. He is very knowledgeable and a great bedside manner. The person I have dealt with most is wonderful. Her name is Tracey Whitmire and she is my insurance coordinator. She has completely taken me under her wings and helped get my insurance approval. What a doll! I also absolutely love Tracy the nurse. She is phenomenal and can speak of the whole thing first hand since she had the procedure done. Aftercare is a very important part of this program. I really feel like I'm in good hands - an awesome surgeon with a caring personality and an office staff who is on top of things.

He seemed very quiet and reserved, and my first impression was correct, he is still the same way. The office staff is great, they are very kind and considerate. I don't think there is anything I don't like about him, he knows what he's doing, and thats all that really matters in the end. Just know that if you are the type of person with an outgoing attitude and personality, you will get along with him, but there is that certain spark missing. As for the aftercare portion, his office and program staff pretty much take care of all of it, he does not...but if you have any questions or concerns, he knows all of it, so feel free to ask him. He does cover all the risks of the surgery more than once, plus the bariatric program he is a part of really educates you before hand. He is an excellent surgeon, he really does care about you and the changes that you are going through. He gives each of his patients a teddy bear the morning after surgery as something to remember this lifechanging experience by...as if a major weight loss wasn't enough! If I had to choose between surgical competence or bedside manner, I would rather have someone who knows that their doing with a knife than someone who can carry on a meaningful conversation. However Dr Richard has both, but like I said before, he's just quiet and reserved, that doesn't make his bedside manner a negative experience.

My first impression of Dr. Richard was good: he seems warm, caring, and knowledgeable.rnI knew as soon as I met him that I wanted him to do my surgery.rn So far, his staff is very nice, efficient, but always very busy.

My first impression of Dr. Richards was a good one because he was very nice, he took time to answer all my questions and he emphasized how much healthier I would be once I got the weght off. The aftercare program is very informative,very helpful and the staff at Obesity Solutions in Gainesville Georgia all work together to make you are well taken care , that someone is always there to answer your question should you have any problems and they always made me feel special. If ten is the highest number I would rate Dr. Richards a ten. His surgical competence and bedside manners were both great.

The first time I met him, I knew I was going to like him. His bedside manner is wonderful. I had some issues with my surgery, but I knew he would take care of me and he did. I give him an A+ all the way around. He is wonderful.

I first saw Dr Richard at an informational meeting in Gainesville on June 3rd, 2006. While I was totally impressed with both Dr. Proctor and Dr Richard, I knew Dr Richard would be my surgeon of choice as soon as he began to speak. Something about his delivery was completely calming. His demeanor and his besdide manner is 2nd to none. I feel that I have received the best possible care from him and his practice. I especially appreciate the respect they have for my time. I've found the wait time in his office is very minimal.

We I went the first seminar and listened to both Dr. Richards and Dr. Procter I felt so comfortable with them. They seemed so caring and so sincere. When I contacted the group, they set me up an appointment with Dr. Richards. When I met him personally, I still felt so comfortable. He allowed me all the time I needed to ask questions, and no question was a stupid one. He is great.

Dr and his staff have this thing down..very smooth from pre-op to post-op, virtually no pain..amazing! I felt very confident in Dr Richard and his staff..at 4 1/2 weeks out, my scars are almost non existent! The hospital is set up very nicely and I really enjoyed my rest while at the hospital.