| Comments From Patients |
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Terry T.
MS
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Dr. Richardson is a wonderful doctor who cares very much about his patients. He is very honest and tells things like it is; I appreciate that! I had a problem with one of my incisions not healing properly after lap band surgery and he treated it aggressively to ensure I did not run into complications. I'm so thank for that. I would rate him as a great doctor overall. He staff is also very caring and always calls me back if I have any questions or concerns. I highly recommend him. Posted on 07/23/2008 |
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Kimberly F.
Thibodaux, LA
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My first impression of Doc was that he was very aware of my nervousness and he comforted me with a hug and told me I would be fine. He assured me I had no major health problems and a rather small abdomen that I would be ok. I joked with him a little, knowing he was a very serious kind of guy and I got a few smiles out of him so I was pleased. He was very nice and his eye contact was reassuring and made me feel confident in him. He anwsered all my questions, even some that may have been silly, and just made me feel comfortable.
His office staff is on top of it all. When you call, they call right back, they make appointments a breeze, the line you up with all that you need. The care is outstanding and they are all very nice and concerned with your needs. They offer support meetings... [Click here for more] once a month, diet supervision, Laura is a peach.
I give Dr. Richardson and his staff the WooHoo award!
Posted on 06/06/2008 |
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Hannah B.
LA
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Really nice guy. Allowed me to ask all the questions I felt I needed to. Very hands on, with a dedicated staff. He has a rare quality of both professionalism/surgical competence and great bedside manner. I look forward to continuing my treatment plan with him. Posted on 03/04/2008 |
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Lance F.
Tickfaw, LA
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I really enjoyed talking with Dr. Richardson. He is very professional, yet personable and very nice. His office staff couldn't be nicer or more helpful. Nothing to dislike, nothing to tell, except don't be afraid to discuss any questions you may have with him. Ochsner does provide a post-op help group. He mentioned things like his complication rate, etc. He was very straightforward but he was reassuring. He gets a 10/10 in my book so far. Surgical competence, in my opinion, trumps bedside manner. I'd rather him be a total jerk but know what he's doing in the OR. Posted on 02/12/2008 |
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Kat K.
Arlington, TX
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6/2004 After meeting my surgeon and finding out his high complication rates, I started searching for another surgeon.
7/25/05 I changed jobs for insurance reasons and began to work on the postop unit where Dr. Richardson and Dr. Kennedy sent their patients at Ochsner. I was so completely impressed by each of them. His skill is just amazing! He seems like a bit of a strict and dry personality until you get to know him better, but he is a very kind and caring surgeon. He literally held my hand through one denial after another while I cried... until MY day finally came for approval. He saved my life and gave me a hope transplant!
You could not choose a better surgeon than Dr. Richardson!! I'd like to see more on the aftercare program there, but as long as you follow the instructions... [Click here for more] you're given, you'll do just fine.
Posted on 05/16/2007 |
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New Orleans L.
New Orleans, LA
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HE'S THE BEST! I had read so many other profile impressions of Dr. Richardson, that I thought I had a pretty good idea going in of who I would be meeting. Indeed, he was as described: personable and caring. While being direct, he was also very compassionate. He is the Director of Laporascopic Surgery at one of the region's leading hospitals. He graduated from Harvard Medical School and has been practicing at Ochsner since 1997. I was also very impressed with his staff. They are very motivated and dedicated to their professions. Posted on 10/27/2006 |
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Dale L.
Canton, MS
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First impression: very professional and to the point, an excellent surgeon who specializes in laproscopic surgery.My impression has not changed. His staff is friendly and very helpful. I can email them or call with any question and they respond promptly. The only negative I can think of is that he is a general surgeon and is busy so for one appointment post-op he was called to surgery and I had to wait to see him. I didn't mind. If you are considering him for surgery, know that he will not sugar-coat the procedure or what's expected of you before and after. You must go on a liquid diet before surgery for 2 weeks and follow a progressive diet after surgery. You are weighed the morning of surgery and if you haven't lost enough weight, your surgery will be cancelled.The staff conducts... [Click here for more] a monthly support group and have seminars for anyone considering WLS. Every visit includes doctor, nutritionist, resident and nurses. Everything was explained in detail and I went with a list of questions prior to surgery and Dr. Richardson answered them all. I rate him excellent surgical competence and good bedside manner-he is professional and to the point.
Posted on 09/18/2006 |
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Daydream B.
Chalmette, LA
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The short answer: He's excellent.
Here's the looong answer:
My original plan was to have my RNY with Dr. Colleen Kennedy (Dr. Richardson's partner at Ochsner). However, Dr. Kennedy was pregnant gave birth a little early, so Dr. Richardson actually performed my surgery. Because he performed my actual surgery, his preference was to continue my follow-up care, and that's fine.
My first contact with Dr. Richardson was actually at the initial seminar held at Ochsner. He presented on types of surgery, risks, benefits, etc. and had to field a LOT of questions that would probably have been best addressed during individual consultation. I could certainly sympathize, but frankly, I didn't think he handled the questions particularly well. (Dr. Kennedy, meanwhile, smiled in the background,... [Click here for more] so I made my choice of surgeon based on the reasoning that even though Richardson is probably a surgical genius, but Kennedy could surely do surgery just fine and seemed to have a far better bedside manner.)
I had met Dr. Kennedy twice: once for an initial consultation, and once for my pre-op visit. I felt very good about having her as my surgeon. First, I figured that her youth indicated that she had been trained from the start on the latest technologies. Second, Dr. Kennedy is very lively and has a terrific sense of humor that helps build rapport without undermining her professionalism. Best of all, she described herself as "very paranoid" about the risks associated with WLS and takes thorough precautions against blood clots, etc. So, I figured Dr. Kennedy would offer good surgical competence with excellent bedside manner.
However, the WLS gods decided that Dr. Kennedy would deliver early, and Dr. Richardson would be my surgeon. I also felt very good about having him as my surgeon, as he is very highly experienced in both general laparoscopic and bariatric surgery. He was also very pleasant and personable when we met (he even joked a little) right before surgery.
As an inpatient, my only complaint was that after surgery, I only saw Dr. Richardson (and I mean "saw," not even "spoke with") once during my hospital stay, while I was having my leak test. For everything else, he sent in his residents. However, as a professional, I know that also indicates his commitment to training, which I admire greatly.
The most impressive thing about Dr. Richardson is that when it comes to surgery, he's not just a genius, he's an ARTIST! First off, he performed my laparoscopic RNY in only an hour and a half! Second, I didn't even need a drainage tube! Third, my incisions are truly tiny (I even have one in my navel, the exact location of which I'm not even sure because it's so small) and healing fabulously. In addition, I was completely off pain medication by the second day after surgery. Perhaps some of that has to do with my having done well enough with the pre-op diet and post-op instructions to facilitate surgery and recovery, but I'm pretty certain that the lion's share of credit goes to my highly talented surgeon. :-)
After two follow-up visits, I can also say that contrary to my initial impression, his bedside manner is actually quite good! Granted, Dr. Richardson is very formal and reserved, especially in initial interactions. However, it wasn't long before I could see that he conveys genuine compassion toward and support of his patients.
So, overall, I'd say Dr. Richardson combines EXCEPTIONAL surgical competence with good bedside manner (especially where it counts). I highly recommend him, without hesitation.
Posted on 08/22/2006 |
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Stephanie C.
Hammond, LA
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My impression of Dr. William Richardson prior to meeting him was that he is a dedicated, committed surgeon who provides patients the bridge to a prolonged healthy lifestyle.
I finally met him in May of 2006 and I have to say that he far exceeds his reputation and I couldnt have been more pleased about him.
Office staff is very patient and understanding and always professional and courteous, even when you call them 13 times a day! Posted on 06/14/2006 |
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Jo Ann C.
Kenner, LA
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Dr Richardson is a very dedicated surgeon who has a great support staff. He was very straightforward when discussing the risks of the surgery. We also discussed the affects that being morbidly obese would have if I did not have the surgery. His program is very structured and each doctors visit includes a visit with the dietician. They also have a support group meeting once a month that is conducted by Dr. Richardson's nurses and a guest speaker. We exchange recipes and discuss problems openly and informally. I would rate him as highly competent and his team as excellent. Posted on 03/16/2006 |
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