USA Health University Hospital Center for Weight Loss Surgery Hospital

I really think the surgeon makes all the difference in how well you recovery goes. Dr. Richards is the best and I thank him, My recovery has been easy. I had very little "gas" pain and the surgery sites were clean. I also appreciate how reasonable his program for cash pay was so affordable in comparison to my area. He is meticulous and dedicated to making sure you are successful. I traveled 3hrs just to have this surgery done by him after he was recommended to me by a friend and co-worker. I would not hesitate to recommend him to any one.
His staff is very friendly and make you feel welcome. I know that I have not posted any negative issue with Dr. Richards, but I honestly can't think of anything, The only negative issue was appointments. I had to work around them more than they could work around me, especially when I have to drive 3 hours, but it wasn't anything that kept me from choosing this program and Dr. Richards.

Yay!! Scheduled Sept 12th at 7:30 This has been a long process but I made it. I can not wait!! I love Dr. Richards and his staff they are all really nice. Wish me luck....

I met Dr. Richards during one of his bariatric surgery informational presentations. I had attended one before by another surgeon but was impressed by Dr. Richards. After hearing him speak, for the first time, I understood how the vagal nerve is impacted by the lapband and the role ghrelin plays in hunger. During that presentation, I decided Dr. Richards was the surgeon to help me on my weight loss journey.

He performed my surgery January 13, 2011. It was uncomplicated, immediately effective, and relatively easy from which to recover. The lapband requires periodic adjustments. These are easy to schedule through Dr. Richards' office. The adjustment procedures were a little intimidating at first but Dr. Richards walked me through it - including the the needle insertion which was less painful than a blood glucose finger stick!

Dr. Richards' office staff is friendly and professional. The hospital - USA Medical Center provided excellent care. The dietitican and educator provided support before and after my surgery through individualized education and support group meetings.

My journey is progressing nicley, about 70 pounds so far. I would recommend Dr. Richards without reservation to anyone contemplating bariatric surgery!

I had RYN in 2005 with Dr. Richards. He is great! He looks like a surgeon and acts like one...very professional. I was impressed that he was a head surgeon at his hospital. He taught the other doctors. Staff was excellent as was the support group. Recovery was approximately four days. I took a total of 10 days off of work. I lost 150 pounds and have kept if off for six years. I am still overweight. I haven't seen the doctor in a couple of years because I no longer have health insurance. But I would trust him as a doctor and do it all over again if need be.

I have yet to meet Dr. Richard, but from the things I have read here it seems like I have made a good chose at picking him to be my surgeon. I will be going for my appointment in January, 2011. His staff has been very helpful about answering my questions and they will go out of there way just to make sure you have the information you needed and then some. He know has an office in Mobile, AL. If anyone has had any adverse effects with the lap band please e-mail me at [email protected].

It took me longer than I had hoped to actually get to meet Dr. Richards. I met him four days before surgery. During this visit, he was very clinical, which I would expect. However, there were two important things that I noticed that put me at ease. He gave me direct eye contact when he shook my hand. And, he let there be passing pauses while I thought of more questions to ask. Usually a PCP is rush rush, much less a busy surgeon. The day of the surgery, he spoke with my mom and put her at ease as well (she had not met him yet). In the hospital, he visited once a day. The vandy aftercare is very structured in my opinion. I think his surgical competance is second to none. He's been there the longest. Bedside manner?? like I said, he let me and my family ask what we needed to. I didn't expect him to hang around and watch TV at the hospital with us or anything.

I loved Dr. Richards, he was very attentive, and caring. Sadly he's leaving Vanderbilt and going to a hospital in Alabama.

Dr. Richards and his staff were wonderful before, during, and after surgery. Very professional and informative.

My first impression of Dr. Richards was that he was a very compassionate docter. He wanted to make sure that I had a chance on prolonging my life and to getting healthy.The aftercare that I have received has been great. I have worked closely with his NP. The risks of the surgery were told to me and I understood them. Unfortunatly, I did get very sick, 6weeks post op and had to be hospitalized in my hometown then rushed to Vanderbilt to have surgery again on my pouch. It had closed up to the size of a \"pin hole\".. I was very sick with lots of vomiting daily for about a week. Since my emergency surgery to correct that, I have been doing great. To date , I have lost 125 lbs. one year post op. Hoping to lose 100 more. Great Doctors and Hospital.. I highly recommend.rn THANKS DR.RICHARDS FOR GIVING MY LIFE BACK

He will be my surgeon. He is very nice and all the staff is wonderful. I've only had 1 visit with him so far. He was the doctor that did the seminar I went to and he answered any questions that people had and made us aware of the different procedures and the risk factors. I think he is competent and has a good bedside manner as far as I can see.