Weight Management and Metabolic Center - Columbia Hospital

I believe that I had the absolute best nurse in the world. Everyone there was very friendly and helpful, and they let me rest when I wanted to. It was a great experience, considering I was in the hospital.

Dr. Richardson is a very sincere Dr who is excellent at what he does. He answers all questions, and thinks thru his answers, not just giving "blanket" one size fits all responses.
The office staff in his personal office are friendly, I have only spoken to them over the phone. The Newstart staff is hurried but cordial. The staff in the time-share office where he does his follow-up is a little stand-off-ish. You feel sorta like a chart number. They also have some sort of scheduling problem too, because the wait is maddening. Someone there needs to do the math, you can't see 30 patients in 1 hour, so why have everyone sit there griping to each other miserably?
Dr. Richarson very much emphasizes after-care, and I like seeing the dietician and bariatric nurse along with him each visit.
Surgical competence far outweighs someones personality or bedside manner. I am a nurse, and can say this without a shadow of a doubt, but my Dr has them both!
I researched many Dr's and could not find one with any more skill and confidence than Dr. Richardson.

I met Dr. Richardson at the pre-op seminar that i attended. I liked his enthusiasm and the way he put a positive spin on the surgery. At my pre-op appointment, I was 'seen' along with 3 other people. He never put a hand on me or asked me any questions -- just gave his well-rehearsed speech. I didn't see him on the day of the surgery or during my hospital stay. Due to a conflict, I didn't come in for my first check-up during his clinical day so I didn't see him then either. On my next post-op check up, I saw Dr. Richardson but I was part of the huge 'group' appointment again. I was told that this type of scheduling is for HIS CONVENIENCE . . . well, what about MY convenience? That isn't important. So, I finally get my moment with the doctor and he didn't even look at me. He read my chart, handed me a preprinted fact sheet and told me to schedule another follow-up. I never did. I saw no need to be treated this way. No one has ever called to see why I didn't return so I guess I was never really that important to them.

As far as the operation, I think I have had one of the best post-op courses of anyone I have talked to in OH. No dumping, no diarrhea [actually, I am constipated!] and I can eat anything. The weight loss has been dramatic [145 lbs!] and I am well under the goal weight suggested on the BMI calculator. At 5' 7" - I weigh 138 lbs!

The biggest disappointment has been the hair loss. I finally broke down and bought a wig which has made me feel more confident. When my hair grows back, I will be a very happy AND SKINNY camper!

Dr. Richardson is very personable. I liked him at the first meeting. His office staff is a shared staff, but is very nice, although overworked! He is planning on moving to another state in May, but there are other surgeons in the group who will be doing follow up care. He does have an after care program. I saw him one week post-op, then will return at 4 weeks post-op, then again at 3 months , and one year. The risks of surgery were explained several times during different fourums. Overall I would rate him an excellant surgeon. His surgical competence would be his best point.

I was originally scheduled for surgery with Dr. Fabito who only does open RNY but was told that he was retiring and Dr. Richardson would be taking care of me and he only does the laparoscopic RNY. I was a little put off at first because I had done my homework on Dr. Fabito, had references and was very confident in his skills and was being switched at the last minute. I first saw Dr. Richardson at a seminar and my thought was "oh wow, he's really young!" He came across as very knowledgeable though and has a great sense of humor. My first meeting with him was a week before surgery and he gave me a good second impression as well. Very nice man, he answered the questions I had and was very "to the point" about things. He does not sugar coat it for you but tells you exactly what to expect. He did emphasize the life-long requirements, such as taking vitamins, and the possible consequences of not adhering to them faithfully. He visited me for a few minutes while I was prepping for surgery but his partners are the ones who checked up on me post-op because he's in Union MO. Overall, I am extremely happy I had him for my surgeon and had the Lap Rny instead of the open.

I found all staff to be friendly, respectful and helpful. I felt that I received excellent care.

It was a very nice hospital. The nurses were all great. It seemed a little hectic and crowded at times since they had so many students and residents. I was a little frustrated the day I was to be discharged though. They told me at 7am that I was going home and didn't let me go until almost 5pm. I didn't see my surgeon once while I was in the hospital...not even before my surgery started. That worried me a bit.

I had my surgery on Sept. 28 2004. I am so glad I choose Dr. Richardson, He was great and I have had no problems whats so ever.

I liked him, he was honest and very explanatory. As time went by, I had more trust in him. His office staff was very very supportive and informative. He makes you feel like a person more than a subject. He focuses on the individual rather than a group subject. Because as we all know, each person has different needs, and ARE different in many ways. He acknowledges that. They use to have support group meetings, but I haven't been to any or know if they still do have them, sorry for that. I really should get back into that and would like to. I plan to check into that. He exlpained the sugery very well and lets you know of any and all risk. He doesn't hold anything back as far as I am concerned or he didn't when I was there. He was great with both surgical competence and bedside manners. A ver concerned doctor when it comes to his patience.

The first time I saw Dr. Richardson was during one of the seminars that the NEWSTART program has. At first, he seemed very cold, but after speaking about 5 minutes seemed to warm up to the audience and relax. I first met him at my first visit with him pre-surgery. He was very friendly and seemed very confident in what he does (but not cocky-confident). I could tell that he liked his job. His office was crowded when I got there and I though it would take forever, but the staff seemed to have everything under control and by the time I got into a room, it wasn't much past my scheduled appointment time. I would recommed him to other people considering this surgery. He did visit my family right after my surgery. He also did visit me once during my hospital stay. I spoke to 2 other people on his staff while in the hospital also. They were good at after care follow-up. All stressed the importance of what needed to be done when I returned home.