T. Karl Byrne Bariatric Surgeon M.D.,F.A.C.S.

Dr. Byrne is soooo sweet. So far he has jumped through hoops to help me out as far as getting my husbands work to let him off to be with me. He was gentle at my consultation and did not make you feel less of a person for being obese. He has a wonderful assistant Joyce. She has also bent over backwards for me and i would highly reccomend MUSC Bariatric clinic to everyone so far.

I first saw Dr. Byrne on July 25. My first impression was great. Both he and his staff are wonderful. They show genuine concern and care for their patients. Dr. Byrne is very matter of fact about the possibilities and risks of the surgery. He is the "Dr. Phil" of weight loss surgery...he tells it like it is. I attended the mandatory class for the surgery and nutrition the next week. I was fortunate enough to be scheduled for surgery on September 4. I never thought my insurance approval would go through in time to meet that surgery day...but after 1 appeal ...it did (thanks Joyce...and all who helped). My experience at MUSC while hospitalized was wonderful. The nursing staff was top notch. I was on the 2nd floor while their regular facility was being redone. My room was huge. All facilities were just fine to meet my needs. MUSC is remodeling the regular facility to meet the needs of larger patients...and this is to be applauded !!! I saw Dr. Byrne today for my first visit after surgery. I got my staples out and found that in 12 days I had dropped 20 pounds. I was amazed. I would rate Dr. Byrne, his staff and the entire MUSC facilty as top notched. I could not dream of going through this experience anywhere else. They are all professional and caring members of the medical community. I can never say thank you enough for helping me to begin to change my life. I can't wait to go back for my next follow-up visit !!

I met with Dr. Byrne August 29th for the initial consult. Was very happy with the info he gave and felt he was very straightforward about problems that can occur. There was a problem with my Insurance company's coverage and I've been on the phone with his staff and have communicated with Dr. Byrne via email and it's all worked out now. I think he really wants to help MO people. Anyway, I have a surgery date! - NOVEMBER 12, 2002 -

His staff is very rushed and very busy - but helpful and willing to answer questions.

RE: aftercare - he requires that you have followup visits for life - it is structured but I don't remember exactly what it is now.

I considered using a doctor that is closer to me (I'm 4.5 hrs away from Charleston) - but asked a gastric surgeon who is a pioneer in this field and he strongly recommended Dr. Byrne - I decided that good medical care was more important than having to drive a few more hours!

Looking forward to NOVEMBER 12!!

Dr. Byrne is very knowledgable and willing to answer any questions that may arise - also, he makes no promises about keeping the wieght off, says it is entirely up to the individual. He is very honest and I like that.

My opinion of Dr. Byrne has only improved over time.

The office staff is very cordial and helpful

I can't think of a single thing I don't like about Dr. Byrne, frankly.

Future patients should know that he is not going to , pardon me, but "blow smoke up thier ass", he is going to tell it like it is...

He puts great empahasis on aftercare.

He addressed every possible risk one could imagine - there were no surprises - had to attend a class prior to having the surgery for this very purpose.

He is FANTASTIC - I just love him!

I would have to say that both surgical competence and bedside manner are important for, obviously, different reasons.

I met with Dr. Byrne on May 30, 2002 and felt quite comfortable with him. I knew that this was due to the fact that I had done my research on him and on the WLS before meeting him. As a result, I was quite confident in his ability.

Dr. Byrne's office staff was very friendly and helpful.

Well I only had 1 appointment to see him he was very straight forward with everything. His explaination were very precise.

His office staff was very nice and very helpful.

The one thing I did not like was the first time I saw him there was no interaction. He came in he poked pulled and prodded then left the room no question asked.

will get back with aftercare

Yes he did address the risk. That was the most inportant thing he stressed about the surgery.


For now pre-op I rate him as a very good

Dr. T. Karl Byrne is my surgeon. He is a truly remarkable man. He was very honest about the dangers that go along with the surgery. He recommended the laparascopic bypass for me even though he has only performed about 25 of those. What's really weird is, I'm not scared. He seems completely confident that he can do this. His office staff was also very helpful.

July 22, 2002- I am still convinced that Dr. Byrne is the best in this field. He was and continues to be the most thoughtful doctor I've ever come in contact with. He really cares about his patients. No, he's not paying me to say these things about him..... He's wonderful. I would trust him with my life anytime.

I have not yet met with Dr. Byrne. My first appointment is August 23, 2001. I am excited, but apprehensive. I had a little trouble getting an appointment because his staff told me and my PCP that he is not doing many bariatric surgeries anymore. The lady told me that space was limited, so I had my PCP call. Well, I got my appointment, and I am now waiting for the paperwork. I will post more after I meet with Dr. Byrne in August.
8/24/01 -- I met with Dr. Byrne and his staff yesterday. I was very impressed! I think I was very nervous, but within a few minutes, I calmed right down. First, a nurse took my vitals. My blood pressure was through the roof! Nervous is not the word; more like TERRIFIED!!! Then, I was takes to a room to wait for everyone. The psychologists came in first. They were both extremely polite and courteous. They asked me some of the same questions I had to answer on my psych test and then they just chatted with me for a while. It was really pleasant. Next came Audra, the dietician. She asked me a few questions, and then she let me ask questions. I had dozens, so we were still talking when Dr. Byrne came in. Right away, I felt at ease with him. He talked to me and examined me, and then he won my heart. He said, "I want to help you." That is the first time a doctor has ever said that to me. They have always told me to do it myself, but Dr. Byrne knows that is nearly impossible. It was a simple phrase, but it made my heart smile :-). I am going to write my letter to the insurance company today. I pray I am approved and well on my way by Christmas. Dr. Byrne is an angel whom has been blessed with a special gift. He won't give me a life, but he will change the one I have.
9/7/01 -- I went back to MUSC yesterday for my nutrition class. Though I did not see Dr. Byrne, I think it is important to stress how wonderful his staff is to the patients they treat. I met 2 nurses off the surgery floor who will care for me in the hospital. I also met with the dietician again to discuss eating post-op. Then I went upstairs to talk with the financial representative wo will handle the insurance stuff. Today, I had to call and talk with Dr. Byrne's secretary. EVERYONE so far has been exceptionally nice. I feel that I am special and that I matter to these people. What more could I ask for?
11/19/01 -- My surgery is over and I still have the highest opinion of Dr. Byrne. He checked on me each day in the hospital, and he really made me feel like he cares for me. I have, sadly, hit one little snag with his staff. I am reacting severely to the pain medication. While in the hospital, I received the name brand. From my pharmacy, I got generic. The generic is the same medication, but it is a different color, taste, consistency. It burns my pouch terribly when I take it, so my husband called to get a replacement. The staff refused to put us in contact with the doctor. THey said it was the same medicine and it could not be doing that to me. Then they said if I wanted something else, I would have to come in. They would not call anything in for me. I just cant't go there. It is 4 hours away, and I am in pain. Right now, my only pain relief is prayer. I am going to have a word of it when I go back in a week for staple removal.
6/29/02 -- Well, I obviously lived through the pain medicine crisis, and I truly believe I am stronger for having gone through it. Being in pain forced me to move, and that was the key to my quick recovery. Having recently had a visit with Dr. Byrne, I am still 100% satisfied with my care as one of his patients. He has always treated me with so much care and respect that I could not imagine having this surgery with any other surgeon. I am so pleased with him that I tell people about him every chance I get. He gave me a second chance at life.

Dr. Byrne is a wonderful man. I have only heard wonderful things about him from his patients and the day I first met him I was a nervous wreck. I went in for my consult & psych evaluation all in the same day. That was the day to determine whether or not I was a qualifying candidate for the surgery - so I was definitely nervous.

Dr. Byrne was the last person I met with that day & he came into the room & he immediately made me feel at ease. He is a very kind person and he is very 'up front' about everything. He gave me details about the surgery, before, after and during expectations. And invited me to a seminar with the other 3 patients he saw that day. We met in a small room & Dr. Byrne covered every aspect of surgery and answered every person's questions completely. When we were done he told us to attend a madatory education class on the first Thursday of the month - June 6 and he would see each of us at our respective pre-op visit.

As for questions about insurance, financial stuff, etc. He appropriately refers his patients to his staff for that.

Some people may be put-off by Dr. Byrne's candid nature in regards to the things that could go wrong but I feel it was good to see him be honest - that is my preference. He is a true surgeon of caliber and he knows his stuff when it comes to surgery.

The only negative thing I can say is that it took 6 months just to get in the door & it has taken another month & half to get my insurance approval ball rolling, but that is not the dr's doing. I hope to get my info faxed in today actually & get something going - I AM getting frustrated about that since I am not the one who has to do this part & my life hinges on it. But they are doing their job & they are good at it so I must be patient!

Back to Dr. Byrne:
I haven't had my surgery yet, but I imagine his "bedside manor" will be great & I appreciate the fact that he holds nothing back - not even the scarey stuff. He wants his patients to be fully aware of what is going on & all possible outcomes - good and bad. I think he is a wonderful, wonderful surgeon and overall person - I obviously trust him with my life.

First impression - good - very professional and forthright.

Office staff - everyone was very nice, and very professional.

Aftercare - one has to attend a two hour class before surgery. First hour deals with surgery and hospital stay, as well as home care ... what to expect, what to bring, etc. Second hour is all on nutrition ... what you must do to get proper nutrients in. How to prepare foods at first (puree EVERYTHING), etc. One also *has* to make many return follow-ups, including annually for life. If a person moves away, he HAS to get a referral for someone in that area or country who can do proper follow-ups.

Risks of surgery - he was very straightforward about the risks, told about problems his patients have experienced, and percentages who experienced them.

I'm placing my life in his hands ... I think that says enough about how I rate him overall.

UPDATE: I have emailed him with several questions, and he has always answered quickly. Amazing!