Glen Strickland Bariatric Surgeon MD, FACS

At my first meeting, I felt he was a good and competent surgeon. After surgery with follow up visits, he did not fully answer my questions , or would tell me that the problems should subside. When I would call the office, I would sometimes wait a day or two for callbacks. I came in April of 2004 for pictures to be taken for the skin removal, and no letter was sent to the insurance company to have this submitted. The office person handling claims stated that this had been done, however I found out in June this had never been submitted at all. I tried to discuss this with her, and she became very hostile and hung up on me. When I finally spoke with Dr. Strickland himself, I was paying Cobra premiums which approved my first surgery, and he advised me to drop this insurance since I already had BCBS, and just allow the BCBS to take over, and let it get approval through them. Within 2 weeks, I was notified that the claim was denied as an exclusion to my policy. After that incident, when I would call, the office staff was very short with me, or no one from the office would return my calls, and I am now under the care of my family physician and a gastroenterologist for underlying problems from the surgery. This is my own personal experience, as I cannot speak for the experience others have had with Riverside Surgical Group or Dr. Strickland and his staff.

Well, I was first introduced to Dr.Givens at the semeinar. I was so impressed and comfortable with his presentation that I decided to schedule my 1st visit with Dr. Strickland. If my feelings were equally impressive with Dr. Strickland as they were with Dr. Givens, then I knew that I wanted to have my surgery @ Lexinton Memorial. When Dr. Strickland entered the room, he greeted my mom and me with a handshake and left nothing to our imagination about the good and the bad about WLS. He gave us an oppurtunity to ask ?'s..I felt so comfortable and I still feel comfortable and confident that I have made the right decision. The staff has been great also. They have followed through with all of my test and paperwork. I have not really had to do anything much in getting approved with Companion. They have definately been a Godsent to me. Dr. Strickland has mentioned some aftercare but the majority of it should be explained when I go for my pre-op/assessement in September. I really believe that surgical competence and bedside manner are a big issue when it comes to any kind of surgery or for whatever reasons you are placed in a hospital. Responding with empathy really means a lot.

I think Dr. Strickland is an excellent surgeon and his staff is always very helpful and knowledgeable. If they don't know the answer to a question, they find out and call me back.





I would have to say, though, that Dr. Strickland and Dr. Given don't get very high marks for their "bedside manner". The three days I was in the hospital, I probably only saw them a total of 4 minutes!
Neither of them even looked at my drainage.
Dr. Givens was the one who was on duty when I was released. He literally was backing out of the room when I was trying to ask questions. I know this is "old hand" to them - but this was scary and new for me!! For all the money they will be getting for this, I think they could afford to be a little more caring.

Having said that, though, I would highly recommend them to someone else. I had virtually no pain and everything, so far, has gone very smoothly (knock on wood!!).

First impression of Dr. Strickland was good. He seemed well informed and compassionate. He stressed the imporance of after care and having preliminary tests to insure that I am a candidate for surgery. The office staff was friendly and willing to help. His nurse Amanda is very helpful also.
Update: I have been busy trying to get approved with my insurance company for SEVERAL months.. and I have not heard from the doctors office. I did think I would get a call just to touch base with me to see how things are going.. but I have not. All that asside I am convienced that Dr. Strickland is a great surgeon.

2 years later..... I now am ready to try again for my approval, and have been in touch with Dr. Strickland's office. They seem as compitent and friendly as I remember!!
POST OP- after my surgical experience I can honestly say I could not wish for a more competent or compassionate surgeon.
Gall bladder removal 1 year post op. After meeting with Dr Strickland to ahve my gall bladder removed he told me his schedule was too full, and to pick one of his partners to do the surgery, and so I did. The day before the removal surgery, Dr Strickalnd's office calls and tells me he would be doing the surgery, and changed my date. My impression of Dr. Stricklanmd after this was somewhat altered, and decided to follow up from my gall bladder surgery with another surgeon.
I have developed a large hernia, and my insion from gall bladder surgery took 5 months to heal. When I had to go see Dr Strickland about my hernia repair he told me he couldn't fix it. This was the first indication that he wasn't willing to fix me. From the first indication of my hernia he told me he would fix it when he did my tummy tuck. He had no idea of who could help me with my hernia, and had no surgeon referal for me to follow up with. I felt as though I was "left out in the cold" so to speak.
I Truly belieeve that Dr Strickland is a good WL surgeon, but some how feel I fell between the craks. Most of his patients that have met Love him, and have no complaints with him whatsover.

My 1st impression of Dr. Strickland was that he was very capable, straight forward, did not candy coat anything he gave you all the facts.
My impression of him has not changed overtime.
Office staff is very friendly and helpful.
There was not anything that I did not like about him.
Future patients should know they are in good hands.
The office has a very structured after care program including support group, check ups and have been there to answer any questions.
Dr. Strickland was very straight forward about the risks of surgery and he certainly did not pull any punches.
On a scale of 1-10 I would give Dr. Strickland and 11.
I think both are great but would certainly prefer compentence.

Dr. Strickland is everything I have heard or read about. He made me feel very comfortable, took his time with me, and answered all my questions. He has a very nice personality. His office staff is nice and friendly and his nurse, Mindy is great. She has been very helpful and is very prompt with returning my phone calls or getting information for me. I've never seen such an office staff such as Riverside Surgical. Dr. Strickland gave me the good/bad of the surgery, discussed aftercare and addressed the risks of the surgery. Dr. Strickland has excellent bedside manners and really cares about his patients.

My first impression of Dr. Strickland was from a support group meeting that i attended. I found him to be very confident, he answered all my question, and very easy to talk to. His staff is great they would usually be able to get back in touch with me within a day or two the most. If i had any questions I liked to speak to Mindy or Lisa. The only thing i didnt like was i was informed that i didnt need my insurance card for the consultation since i would just be speaking to the doctor but when i got there I found out that i needed my insurance card or at least my information so I had to reschdule my appointment. Future patients should be prepared do as much reading and research as you can on the surgery. Make sure that you are prepared and and have your info typed and ready to go it will speed of the process. He emphasizes on after care tremendously... He wants all his patients to follow the guidelines, take your vitamins and get your protein and water in and make sure you go to all your post-op visits. He also has support group and seminars for his patients. We did talk abou the complications in detail about the risk involved in the surgery. He even wants schd me to have the filter put in and I think its great. Any thing to make the surgery safer. I would rate dr. Strickland an 10. His surgical competence and beside manner is great. Dr. strickland and his group will make a commitment to you from day one. And he also does plastic surgery so of course that is a plus.

Well I went to a seminar.This would make my 3rd doctor and seminar .I have been researching this now for 2 years I know that I am well inform and I finally think I have found the right doctor even though it's almost 100 miles from where I live . I'm still excited.I schelduled my consult for Jan/2004 only cause right now the surgery is a written exclusion from my policy but they are changing that policy 1/2004 so next year is my year.

I first met Dr. Strickland on July 14, 2003 when I went to the seminar. I asked several questions and was very pleased with his answers. I had my consultation on August 7, 2003. Dr. Strickland was great. He took time to answer all my questions and put a lot of my fears at rest. I was very pleased with the time he spent explaining the procedure and the risks. I felt he was very upfront and honest. That meant a lot to me. The aftercare program was one of the determining factors in me choosing Dr. Strickland for my WLS. So far I have been pleased with everyone that I have came in contact with in his office.

He was very up front and caring
his staff was wonderful his nurse Amanda is very pleasant and when you need her she is right there for you.I feel that if you are thinking about this surgery do it.Dr. Strickland gives you the whole picture the before and after care.His office has a monthly support group meeting once a month for pre-ops and post-ops.He goes into full detail abOut the benefits and the risks .I think he is the most wonderful surgeon in South Carolina. His bedside side manner his surgical competence is wonderful. I would do it again tomorrow. I feel he has given me a new life.