Tennova Medical Center Bariatric Center

Dr. Steely and his staff are great. I have found them to be very patient and helpful from the start. My impression of him is very good, I do not feel I could have gotten better care or experience from anywhere. Dr. Steely depends heavily on his staff for support on visits as he is very busy. He and his associate Dr. Hruska are the only weight loss surgeons in Clarksville. They also perform other surgeries. However, the experience and success rate he has is excellent.

I was approved quickly, the only hold up was by my insurance,Tricare Prime,they changed handler shortly before I started my process. So it took 4 weeks for them to approve me after having all the necessary paperwork. Tricare does allow the patient to make thier own psych appointment, and I got that appointment myself with the Councilor his paperwork recommended. I also made and paid the $70 for dietitian counciling to expedit the process, my idea not theirs. Plus I got letters from doctors and records sent to the surgeons office, to help get me approved. I would have been able to have gotten my surgery within 5 weeks from the seminar, had I wanted, but I needed to finish some things at my work, and sceduled three weeks out from my approval date.

My experience with WLS has been EXCEPTIONAL, I know people, and have talked to people who have had everything negative that can happen from this surgery. The one thing I feel is of great importance it the pre-op diet! Dr. Steely told me that is to help shrink your liver, obese people tend to have enlarged livers, and a friend of mine was in surgery for about 7 hours due to her very large liver, and the surgical complications it caused. (My surgery was less than and hour.) She is a year out now and doing wonderfully but had a very rough couple of months after the surgery, she had the same surgeon I did. So your experience with WLS surgery will be as individual as the surgeon you choose.

I got excellent care at Gateway Hospital and Dr. Steely, two weeks out I went in for my first follow-up, then 6 weeks out. I have contacted them by email and have had very fast response from the nurse there. I followed his directions as closely as possible...I didn't start losing weight after my first counciling as he requested, I actually gained, then lost what I had gained during the pre-op diet. At each visit they stress what I need to do to sustain the optimal success from my WLS, and reinforce that it is NOT MAGIC but a tool to help me lose weight.

In the seminar I attended at the beginning of this, Dr. Steely didn't pull any punches about the risk, He does not do Lap RNY, only open RNY. He has done the surgery over 1,000 times with 2 fatalities, one was a patient with a high BMI who had a blood clot form and it resulted in his death. Dr. Steely now puts screens in the upper legs of patients with hight BMI's as to deter that from happening again. The second one was a lady who had a severe reaction to the anesthesia, it stopped her liver from functioning. 2 death..over 1000 surgeries... makes his mortality rate less than .2%, MUCH MUCH less than the nation average. Dr. William Steely in my opinion is terrific all the way around, with open RNY I was back at work part time in 3 weeks, fulltime in 6 weeks, and at 3 1/2 months other than feeling great, weighing less, I do not have any discomfort from my incision.

I realize I have been blessed, I am very fortunate to have gotten though this without nausea/vomiting or any other serious problems. I do feel strongly that God, alot of prayer and Dr. Steely not only got me though this, but got me though it with flying colors.

SEEMED NICE. EXAM WAS QUICK. OFFICE STAFF HAVE BEEN HELPFUL BUT ITS OBVIOUS THEY ARE QUITE BUSY. WHEN INSURANCE DENIED AT FIRST ATTEMPT, I WAS DROPPED QUICKLY AND SENT BACK TO PCP. IVE HEARD HES AN EXCELLENT SURGEON BY LOTS OF PEOPLE. HOPE I CAN WORK THINGS OUT WITH INSURANCE TO FIND OUT.
Once I was approved, the process was quick and I was scheduled for surgery right away. Its great working with Dr. Steely and his wife. Its also great having a bariatric nurse who represents the program and has been through the whole experience. I highly recommend them!

My first impression of Dr. Steely was that he was very experienced and calm. I think the nurses are helpful and skilled. I have been back for my 6 week exam and everyone was so supportive and nice. I called today and the office staff was good about getting my message to the nurse. Judy called me back in less than 20 minutes. They are GREAT!!!

knowledgeable,friendly, honest, (the only dr. who has actually made me quit smoking. I am smoke free for 8days now)


Sandy the nurse going to surgery with me was funny, encouraging, helpful, answered all questions, and told me to call wiht any questions.

i didn't dislike him at all. he's pretty down to earth.

if you are willing to follow directions and do your part to make the surgery uncomplicated and successful you have found your surgeon.

alot not only aftercare but support groups before care too. yes the 3rd monday each month

all risks of surgery were discussed not only by him but by his surgical nurse too.

so far very good.
both!! but if i had to have one surgical compentence!

my surgery is 5/5 and i look forward to this. i will update after.

I found Dr. Steeley to be very informative he answered all of my questions, even the stupid ones. He didn't seem in a hurry like alot of Dr.s and didn't use huge medical words that you can't even say little lone understand. Very laid back and easy to talk to, has a good sense of humor.
Office staff have been super have no complaints on DR. or staff. I have heard that his bedside manner is lacking I guess I am about to find out.
March 24 2004
Well here I am again about to go under the knife again with Dr. Steely, he will be doing my TT on April 15.
He and his wife Barb are the absolute greatest.
His surgical competence, and bedside manner are both great. Dr Steely goes over all of the risks of surgery very thourghly and emphasizes aftercare very strongly.
On a scale of 1-10 I would rate Dr. Steely and his staff a 10.

I met him through a friend, I though very highly of him

My husband and I went for consultation together. Dr. Steely was very nice to both of us..His office staff was very friendly. He explained the surgery to us. He explained the risks. Really wanted us to go to at least one support group meeting. I would rate him as an 8 so far. The rest i will have to wait till after surgery.

rather not answer.
?
his office staf was very nice.
rather not say!
they should judge for themselves.
he really didnt tell me much for aftercare.
?
he maainly stated his form of surgery and that was it.
rather not rate him yet.
rather not say yet.

Dr. Steely was very nice and his office staff were great to. The office was easy to find an I was seen quickly. I didn't expect to have a full exam but it was all very professional.He answered my questions and scheduled my date quickly.

Dr Steely is a very talented surgeon,but due to his many years in the military he dosent emphisize aftercare. Clarksville does have a very active support group that steps in and helps him in this.
He and his wife are a great team keeping you informed and they have great bedside manner.