William Strodel Bariatric Surgeon M.D., Ph.D.
My first impression of Dr Strodel was good. He was very tentative to my needs and he was very informative. I was pleased with his credentials as a R-N-Y Bypass surgeon. His staff is awesome. I can call his nurse anytime i have a question. He is very strict on not smoking. After my surgery I did see more of his assistants then I did him but I did see him before I went home from hospital. He will be doing the repair on my hernia. I have complete faith in him as a surgeon. he is willing to answer any questions you may have. He only deals with open surgery which made me feel comfortable. they have another surgeon who specializes in the laproscopic one. Which made me feel better knowing that he specializes in his field.
3/19/03 I emailed patients of Dr Strodel's in Texas. I received a very nice response from Jayne. I am even more sure that I want to go with Dr Strodel. Thank you.
03/18/03 I meet with Dr Strodel on April 22, 2003. I changed insurance companies at the end of last year and didn't think I would be approved with the new one. Penny, from Dr Still's office, sent a request and within 24 hours she received an ok for the surgery. I think that was great. I will let everyone know what I think of Dr Strodel next month. Thank you.
Dr Strodel was the BEST!!!! He truley saved my life. I felt after talking to him I could do anything. Debbie McCoy was my rock she went to bat for me getting the approval from my insurance. We were down to the wire (the approval came the afternoon before my schedule day) whew!!...All in all every one was great. I loved going in for followups to see everyone every week or two. i was amazing to see the changes in people. Not only their size but their countenance.
My first impression of Dr. Strodel was prior to even meeting him. I have found that "specialists" tend to be arrogant and insensitive to individual paitents. The doc proved that theory way wrong! He sized me up very quickly, spoke right to my level, spent plenty if not even more time than needed, and made me feel very confident for having chosen him and his practice. The staff is also great, very empathetic and professional, and all in all FUN. So far I give him and his practice a 10, but in the end, surgical competence and success are most important to me, and from what I can tell, he is rated as one of the best in central Texas. The great bedside manner is bonus. My only complaint is the sterility of the office. Put some pictures up and play some music, doc! You keep a clean place, put c'mon. Paint the walls with some color at least.
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Now that I've spent so much time with Dr. Strodel and his office, I am very pleased that my dentist recommended him. They all absolutely rock, and seem to really connect with my type of personality. it's always a blessing to have medical professional not only treat you with respect, but also treat you as an individual, and make an effort to relate to you in a way you are most comfortable with.
He was very straight forward and didn't sugar coat anything. He made it very clear that although he would always be available for after care, he was not going to hold my hand. I have to say that I really liked that attitude! I have always been very independent and close, huggy-huggy, let's have a nice group hug kind of crappy attitude has never worked for me! I want ot have some support but don't want anyone looking over my shoulder constantly.
He was great. After our conversation, hubby (who previously had not been too convinced of WLS) was bowled over and wants to go with me to every appointment! I have his complete support now!
His staff is okay and his office isn't plush or has a lot of fancy artwork on the walls, but it is very functional and the staff are completely professional, also not huggy-huggy, clingy type people. I have to say that Debbie Coy has become my best friend over there as she is handling my paperwork!
If you have done your homework, would like the straight forward, honest-to-God truth and are ready to face all the good and bad that comes along with this procedure, then Dr. Strodel is the one for you.
Dr. Strodel is a great doctor. I felt safe with him. He is very caring during the entire process. He is almost as excited as I am with my results. The office is usually very busy. I love Dr. Strodel. He is very through about the surgery and what to expect after. He goes over the risk and he has his patients get second opinions, have pshyciatric evaluation, pshycological evaluations, internal medicine dr visit etc before he does the surgery.
I would rate him a 10! He's great. His surgical competence and his bedside manner were a 10. The staff at the Santa Rosa hospital were great also.
Dr. Strodel has an exceptional bedside manner. He is a concerned and, apparently, skilled surgeon. He makes eye contact, never seems rushed, and will answer even the most ridiculous questions seemingly without judgement (ie; I just *had* to ask whether or not I would be able to drink beer, wine, etc...). I will say that patients in need of an intense aftercare program might be better served elsewhere, as he does require his patients to be fairly knowledgeable and self sufficient.