SC Obesity Surgery Center Bariatric Center

I had surgery with Dr. Stickland in July of 2013. I received the VSG surgery. I was a self-pay patient so my pre-op appointments and prep were non-existent.

I was 20 at the time and had some really strong issues with food and I still do today. The pre-op psych evaluation was a joke. I paid this psychologist around $40 to have me take a short multiple choice test. I feel that it didn't truly evaluate my readiness for WLS or my true relationship with food.

The most I lost from the surgery at the beginning was 30lbs. During the first year I was able to eat normal sized portions and had little to no restriction and I was able to eat about a cup of food as soon as I was able to have solid foods.

Fastforward to 2016 I began having abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, and vomitting. I went back to the office and was worked up for possible gallbladder issues. The scans and test showed that nothing was wrong with my gallbladder at all and because the issues resolved I assumed they were caused by the stress of nursing school.

Fast forward again to 2018 I have graduated from nursing school, have new insurance that actually covers bariatric surgery and want to know my options for revision or if there is anything wrong with my sleeve or if I have indeed failed at the ultimate "cure" to obesity.

Last month I had an upper GI study completed that showed a distended upper and lower stomach, a supper tight middle sleeve, and gastroparesis.

No wonder I was having the vomiting and pain issues. I am not sure if my sleeve was done incorrectly or if too much stomach was left at the top and bottom of my stomach, but the sleeve is no longer functioning properly.

Unfortunately, they do not offer revision surgeries and I am not sure I would allow them to touch me if they did.

Rave review about Dr. Hughes and Riverside Surgical. I had my surgery on 12/22/14 along with a hiatal hernia repair. It was really a breeze so much so that I asked my nurse after I got in my room did they do everything that was scheduled. My pain was minimal and I barely ever touched my pain pump. Thank you Dr. Hughes for a job well done.

I have nothing good to say about Jim Givens. 2 years following my gastric by pass I suffered life threatening complications. For 3 days the nursing staff at Lexington Medical Center kept contacting him and the answer was I was not their patient. When he finally decided to show up, I was in the process of throwing up the contents of my intestines. He threw his hands up and said he's be back later. Later as the nursing staff continues to try to get him back, I sent my friend to the support group meeting to get him to come.....same answer not my patient. Finally, one of his partners came, I was rushed to surgery and woke up in ICU on a ventilator. That doctor saved my life and said had they waited 30 more minutes I would have been dead. Every medical person involved in that ,but Givens, apologized to me. I spent a month in the hospital and when Givens would make his rounds, he'd stand in the door for 5 seconds. I never got a straight answer from him about what happened and had to get the surgeon that I hired after I got rid of him to explain what exactly happened. Since then, i've endured 12 additional abdominal surgeries and 8 months with a biliary catheter.

I had my surgery 10.23.2012, it was done by Glen Strickland. I would recommend everyone to see him! He is awesome. I saw him a couple times before surgery, he is very patient and has great bedside manner, you don't find that much anymore! Surgery went well. I saw him and members of his staff daily while in the hospital. My primary care doctor referred me to Dr. Strickland and I could not be happier. He is looking out for my best interest.

Dr. Antonetti helped saved my life. There are no words to describe what he's done for me. He treated me with respect and kindness. He answered all of my questions, was straightforward and held nothing back. I appreciate all that you've done for me. Thank-You Dr. Antonetti and Riverside Surgical!!!

I cannot say enough good things about Dr. Hughes. From the very first appointment with him, he made sure that I was well informed of what decisions he was making and what decisions I also needed to be making. The entire Riverside Surgical Group has been very supportive. I had my surgery on May 14, 2012, and I ended up having to stay in the hospital a few more days than originally thought because I went anemic after the surgery (not typical). Dr. Hughes was reassuring and knew that I was frustrated to be in the hospital for a few more days and he told me, "I would rather have you close by and know you are okay, rather than have you far off and not be okay."

Dr. Hughes is a wonderful doctor and a wonderful person. I highly recommend him if you are thinking about having this surgery.

Dr Antonetti is pleasant and has great bedside manner. He took good care of me and I am so glad I chose riverside surgical group. Riverside as a whole is EXCELLENT!

I was impressed with Dr. Hughes and his practice from the first time I met him. I did a lot of research and especially as a "Center of Excellence" they came highly recommended. They were efficient in providing a seminar prior to my first meeting with him and I did not have to wait long to have my first appt. The practice, South Carolina Obesity Surgery Center is beautifully appointed and very clean. Each of the areas in which I have experienced it, from Dr. Hughes himself, to the nutritionist, exercise trainer, education instructor and office staff have all treated me with warm but professional cordiality. They seem to really care about their patients.The practice has a thorough educational component which covers how to get ready for the surgery nutritionally and physically through starting your exercise program. They cover the risks of surgery well and emphasize what they are going to do to help prevent problems and what the patient needs to do as well. The financial folks were very helpful in letting me know what they needed to start the application for insurance. I was approved quickly and they offered a payment plan for my percentage had I needed it. This week I will meet with the surgeon for my first post-op appointment. I'll go back at 3 weeks, 6 months and then annually for the rest of my life. I'll go to the support group meetings once a month and the free exercise classes. I can't think of anything that could make my experience better.

DR STRICKLAND WAS EXCELLENT.

There is so much I could say about Dr. Strickland. He was everything positive you had to say about a surgeon. He was it. I never had a doctor make me feel so comfortable about a proceedure than him. If I had to do it all over again I would as long as I could have Dr. Strickland for my doctor. I thank him for giving me back my life. Tina Rivera