James Givens Bariatric Surgeon M.D., FACS

I used to work at Lexington Medical Center when Dr. Givens started doing Bariatric Surgeries as well as other types as well. Back then I was just curvey, and wasn't interested in the surgery. I watched him roll a patietn from the Emergency room to the preop area himself, and reassuring that patient she would be just fine. That made a lasting impression, how often do you see Doctors pushing patients beds themselves?rnrnWhen I went to him for Gastric Bypass surgery, his group has a very thorough program, and he was awesome. No question was too stupid, and he was very positive even when I expressed my concerns.

'Dr. Givens is wonderful! I highly recommend him. He was professional and positive at the first appointment

'I have actually been employed by Dr Givens and the SC Obesity Surgery Center for about 7 years..I have watched and learned so much from Dr Givens

Dr. Givens was everything I expected and more. I cannot say enough about him and his team at Riverside Surgical Group. Anyone considering WLS who is able to get to Columbia, SC should schedule an appointment with these folks. THEY ARE GREAT!!

Dr. Givens is the best doctor that I've ever had. He is great. He has actually done 2 surgeries on me. His office staff is wonderful also.

I appreciated and respected Dr. Givens the moment I met him (he is also my sister's surgeon). He is the rare kind of doctor that is great at what he does and also cares about the people he helps. The entire staff is amazing, very friendly, on top of paperwork, and never made me feel like "just another patient." If I made one recommendation, it would be that everyone seriously wanting this life change go to South Carolina Obesity Center, to Dr. Givens. I truly have no negative comments related to his treatment of me...only that he doesn't live in Virginia. :)

Dr. Givens seems to be a very nice person. He explains everything thoroughly and seems to care about your personal feelings. Everything that I was concerned about, he explained and he made me feel like he was just an all around good fella!

I went to the seminar on 4/20/05 and went for the consult on 4/28/05.

I feel very good about Dr. Givens. I've been researching WLS for almost 10 years now and it's just been in the last few months that the planets have aligned just right and my situation has allowed me to pursue the surgery.

He seemed very confident that he can do the surgery lap. I had resigned myself that it would probably have to be open. I'm going to go into to this expecting it to be open and if he's able to do it lap then it'll be a nice surprise.

I like the office and I like Dr. Givens nurse Joey too. Only complaint I have is the long walk from the elevator. ;-)

I MEET DR. GIVENS AT THE SEMINAR ON MAY 19, I WAS VERY IMPRESSED WITH HIM. HE WAS VERY INFORMATIVE AND HONEST ABOUT THE SURGERY. I LEFT THERE FEELING CONFIDENT ABOUT MY DECISION.

My first impression of Dr. Givens and his partner Dr. Strickland was favorable. The first contact I had was September 2002. I was very impressed with the information provided by the surgeons and their staff at an educational seminar. I researched, studied, and investigated the procedure. It took me two years to make my final decision to have the surgery. Each time I called their office I was treated with respect. The office was very efficent in scheduling my appointments and helping me to know what was needed for the insurance company. I think it was their preparation that got a quick response -approval! yea!- from the insurance company. I had to get a couple of days off work for the preoperative requirements. I have used all my alotted days, so I have to be docked in pay. They require a four hour education session that is packed with information about how to prepare for surgery, what is involved in the surgery, what to expect in the hospital, diet for the first five weeks and first year. We had visitors from several departments. The dietition took time to explain our new requirments and dietary considerations. I laso have had several tests, heart, legs, blood work, etc. that require me to miss more work. Overall I am pleased with the education, competence, and professionalism of the doctors and staff.