USA Health University Hospital Center for Weight Loss Surgery Hospital
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I've been paired up with Dr. William Richards at Vanderbilt. Still doing the qualifying for insurance and have not had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Richards.
12-26-07 UPDATErnThanks to those who have contacted me privately. Your trust in me and willingness to share is greatly appreciated. Feel free to continue to contact me. I continue to look for folks who have had long term complications to understand what you have been through and if there is something else I can try to feel better again - along with how we might support each other. Take good care.rnrn10-09-07rnBefore I post my most recent experience with Dr. Richards, I thought I'd ask if anyone has had any issue with their surgery and needed any additional care or treatment from Dr. Richards. If so, care to share your experience? If you want to share, but not publically, please e-mail me at [email protected]. THANKS!!rnrnrn2004rnDr. Richards is a very capable surgeon in whom I have a great deal of faith, but if you are looking for someone with a good bed side manner he may not be the best choice.
I did not actually meet Dr. Richards until I had completed the complete pre-surgery process. Dr. Richards came very highly recommended and after meeting him I had no doubts that he would bring me through this process without a hitch. Since I knew my gallbladder needed to be removed I asked if that could also be done at the same time. Once he obtained the required reports indicating gallbladder removal he agreed but forewarned me that he would only do that pending my overall stabilty during the surgery was maintained. Because of scar tissue issues as a result of a ruptured appendix a few years ago I had to have an open surgical procedure and everything went well. Dr. Richards took the time to advise me of the risks but also let me know his personal history with this surgery. rnrnThe professional staff at the Vanderbilt Surgical Weight Loss Center are also of the highest caliber. They organized all of my appointments in any way possible to make it easier for me and my work schedule. Everyone there is wonderful and I would highly recommend to anyone that this Center of Excellence is truly what the title infers......EXCELLENT.rnrnDuring the pre-op process, everything was explained to me regarding my requirements, the post-op processes and all the fees that would be necessary that were not covered by insurance. There were no surprises. Having dealt with this for so long they were even able to determine an approximate approval date based on my insurance carrier and they were right on target. rnrnDr. Richard's staff also took the time to explain to me why he chose to do the rny rather than the ds (which I was very much leaning towards) but I am comfortable with his recommendation and felt he made his decision based on his experience and on my behalf as well as that of other patients. rnrnAfter surgery support was exceptional....any questions or concerns could be addressed with just a phone call to Dr. Richards' office. I can't tell you how much that meant to be able to speak to someone and not have them say \"go to the emergency room\" or whatever.
I just dearley love Dr Richards and all of the staff at Vanderbuilt . They took very good care of me .
Well, when I first met Dr. Richards it was at one of his seminar's that you must attend before meeting with anyone about having surgery. I have talked with different bariatric surgeons before and I must say that he really left quite an impression on me. He is at Vanderbilt medical center and this is a center that was always at top notch with me because they truly have the best of everything. Dr. Richards was so reassuring and confident. There wasn't a question that he couldn't answer and fully explain. He was also very patient with so many people asking questions. When I left the seminar I felt as if I had finally picked out who would be operating on me so now as a result I am now having surgery in April!!!
My first impression of Dr. Richards was very profession. He entered my room and discussed the surgery, and recovery period with me in a very understandable level. However, the office staff was rude one time while scheduling my appiontments. They gave me no choice in the matter of day or time of appointments. Being a mother of three I need to see doctors in the later morning hours or early afternoon (before 1p). Almost all me appiontments were scheduled for 230 or 3p, the same time that I need to pick kids up from school. When asked about changing the time of one of my appointment the lady got ruse and states \"We will just have to cancel your surgery, if you can not make the time scheduled.\" I quickly told her no and that she needs to reschedule the time because I am the patient and if not I would call the doctor and tell him. Other than that one person everyone else in the office seems friendly and helpful with my needs. Dr. Richards stress aftercare but I have seen stronger aftercare programs. I would refer people who are looking into WLS to him. Dr. Richards is a great surgeon and has a down to earth bedside manner.
My first impression was that Dr. Richards was very competent and experienced and he had a really good \"bedside manner\". All this proved to be true. The office staff is really great, from the receptionists to the Nurse Practicioners and Nutritionists. I don't have any complaints, really. Aftercare is very important--appointments for aftercare with the doc, NPs and Nutritionist are scheduled way in advance and they give you emails and phone numbers and you can contact them anytime and they get back to you quickly if you have to leave a message during business hours. (I haven't had to call after business hours.) The risks of surgery were completely covered in the seminar and individually before surgery. Overall rating is an A+. Both surgical competance and bedside manner are excellent.
He's a very confident and easy going man. He was highly recommended. And I feel comfortable with him doing my surgery. The office staff on the other hand has given me a headache up until this point. All except one Nurse named Barbara she is 'GREAT'. I would have liked to have seen more of Dr. Richards and less of the interns, but I understand he's a busy man. He didn't really say much about aftercare. He told me about all the risk of surgery. Just from what I've seen so far I would rate him at a 8. I really need both surgical competence and bedside matter in a doctor. The Clinic needs to work on getting more help answering the phone. Because everytime you call you get the machine and have to leave a message. Sometime you get a call back and sometimes you don't.