SC Obesity Surgery Center Bariatric Center

Dr. Givens is a very caring man that will not let insurance companies get in the way of your medical needs. He is a great listener and has a wonderful bedside manner. He is willing to answer all questions and is incredibly educated about this procedure. I would not trust this operation to anyone other than Southern Surgical. Dr. Givens has attended every support group meeting and has had his personal trainer speak on weight loss and how his company can assist in the weight loss after surgery. Dr. Givens is exploring the possibility of making the training a prescription for insurance reimbursment. I could go on about him and his staff...Thye are wonderful.

I went to the "information" session yesterday. He is what everyone says... WONDERFUL. I have not met with him one on one, but will do so June 13th and I cant wait!
got an update...
I have will see him on 05-30-02!!!! YIPEEE!
05-30-02 saw strickland today. he answered all my questions. I am now more ready than ever!

I have only met Dr. Strickland at his information session last July (2001). I was very impressed with his knowledge and willingness to explain.. to try and answer everyone's questions. He ven had a post opt patient meet with us and share her experiences. I think I will be very pleased with him.
On April 22, 2002 I attended my first Support Group meeting even though I haven't had my first consult. This group meets every month and people attend from all over the state, both pre and post opters. I am posting this for those of you who may be looking for or considering a surgeon. Dr. Strickland always tells patients that after surgery, you are his for life... and he truly means it. His deep-seated care of his patients is evident in that he and his staff attend the support group meeting, stay till all are gone, and answer any questions from new folks. As s busy surgeon with many of us clamoring for his time, he makes time, as does his staff, to continue to provide supportive aftercare for his patients. Before you make your final decision on whose hands to place your future in, please meet with Dr. Strickland or Dr. Givens first.

MY 1ST IMPRESSION OF DR. STRICKLAND WAS A VERY PLEASANT ONE.HE MADE ME FEEL COMFORTABLE AND EASED MY MIND ABOUT ALOT OF THINGS.AND STAFF WAS VERY FRIENDLY,HI AMANDA.....I LIKED THING ABOUT HIM,HE DIDN'T SEEMED RUSHED OR UNCONCERNED,HE REALLY SEEMED LIKE HE WANTED THE BEST FOR ME,HE'S NOT LIKE THE OTHER DOC'S I SEEN HE MADE ME FEEL AS IF I WAS MORE THAN JUST PART OF HIS JOB.IF I HAD TO RATE HIM ON A SCALE OF 0-10,HE'S A 10.FOR SURE.I FEEL COMFORTABLE PUTTING MY TRUST IN HIM,FOR MY SURGERY AND MY AFTER CARE...THE ONLY THING THAT BOTHERED ME ABOUT MY VISIT WAS HE TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A CHANCE THAT I MAY HAVE TO HAVE A TRACHEOTOMY----SCAREY,BUT IT DIDN,T CHANGE MY MIND.I KNOW WHAT I WANT.AND I KNOW WHO I WANT TO DO IT.....

I met Dr. Strickland and Dr. Givens today. I like the fact that they work as a team. They were not only easy on the eye but very informative. They knew their stuff!!! I met Amanda their nurse as well. They have been very thorough and professional. The first time you meet them it is at a group consult for prospective patients. I loved that. I felt like I was not alone in this effort.
They all really emphasize family involvementa and aftercare. They have a wonderful aftercare program and they intend to be your doctors for life!
They explained all the risks and exactly what to expect. No sugar coating with them. They explained that this is not a glamorous surgery. I asked some personal questions after the session and he was wonderful and did not rush any of us. I feel like they are definitely the doctors for me.

I first met Dr. Strickland at the seminar he held on Dec. 3, 2001. He is so nice. And he seemed to know what he was doing. My first visit went well. He wanted to make sure that I knew everything about this surgery. I had researched for months. His nurse Amanda is a sweetheart. I am now post-op and I went to have half of my staples removed and I was a little nervous that it might hurt, but Amanda reassured me that it might sting, but not hurt. She took 20 of them out in no time, a few did sting, but it wasn't that bad. When you have a question, all you have to do is call. They return your calls superfast. While I was in the hospital, Dr. Strickland came by every day to check on me, and encourage my progress even more. He is just an all-around nice guy and an excellent surgeon.

Dr. Strickland is an amazing man. He is really
concerned about the people that are overweight.
I am glad that I meet with him and making him my
surgeon. I really feel comfortable with him.
The staff people are wonderful..

I met Dr.Strickland at the monthly informational seminar he held in January. Because I'd read so much about him in the profiles of his patients and even emailed him and talked to his nurse prior to this meeting, I'd already seen his pictures, had had communication with him and his office and knew what to expect. His website is (southernsurgical.com)I asked some questions during that meeting that he was not prepared to answer (requested statistical data). I was comfortable that he did not become defensive about the questions and he emailed the information to me within two weeks. My experiences with his office staff have been the same as his other patients. Everyone has been very helpful and polite. It's clear that they are caring professionals who had the ability to put me at ease when I called with what I thought were really stupid questions. I'm looking forward to meeting the doctor and his staff again in April.

I am scheduled to attend a seminar with Drs. Strickland and Givens on 2/25/02. This is one of the requirements before you schedule your appointment with either of them. I have called their office several times asking questions, and have really been impressed with their friendliness and willingness to help.

3-2-02 Attended the seminar on 2/25/02. Dr. Strickland gave the presentation and answered questions from the audiance. Dr. Givens was present for a short period of time - he had a surgery scheduled that morning. I called a few days later and scheduled my appointment with Dr. Givens on 4-4-02 - first available. (Dr. Givens and Strickland assist each other on the surgery.)

My first impression of Dr. Strickland was that he is genuinely concerned about the care of morbid obese patients. He is also the type of doctor who doesn't "sugar coat" everything to make you feel better. He is very straight forward and feels very strongly about proper after care. I had my initial consult with him and his nurse, Amanda, and they are both very competent and caring.

The office staff is very helpful and are always willing to go the extra mile when you have a question or are in need of something.

Their office hosts a Weight Loss Surgery Seminar once a month for those who are interested in getting started with this process. During the seminar they address the surgical procedure, the risks, benefits and side effects that one can expect after the surgery is complete. They also have a registered dietician speak on the post surgery food choices that are available. Dr. Strickland and Amanda host a support group meeting for WLS patients as well. I have been totally impressed with their attendance at the support group meetings and they are very helpful with answering any questions that you may have regardless of whether you are post or pre-op.

I had my initial consult in Dr. Strickland's office on January 24, 2002 and am waiting to hear something from my insurance company as of today, February 5, 2002.