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

I was referred by my PCP January 2002. MUSC called and said they would set up a date after May 1! What a busy guy! That will work out best for me anyway, since I am a teacher. I met with Dr. Byrne at MUSC on May 16. The consultation went well. Dr. Byrne is great. He seems sincere, highly competent and caring. He answered all our questions in a caring way. His staff has been extremely helpful!

Well....last August 2001, I asked my PCP about the gastric bypass. He told me he had a friend in Charleston whom he considered to be the best. His staff called and referred me to Dr. Byrne. My appointment was scheduled for MAY 16, 2002. Yes, 8 months away. So, I went through life imagining what life will be like on the "other side" I am impatient and I worry about any and everything.
Okay, May 16th came, my appointment was at 8:30 am. We started on our merry way (my husband the angel) and me. Well, wouldn't you know the alternator on the car went out 30 minutes into the trip. So we called AAA, paid an outrageous amout for a mechanic to put an alternator on and was done by 8 am. So, I called the office, spoke to Joyce, was told that no one would wait for me to get there and I would have to be rescheduled. Needless to say I freaked out, was hysterically crying on the phone. All I could think of was having to wait ANOTHER 8 months. My poor husband assured me that it would be okay and we would find a doctor. That was on a Thursday, Joyce told me she would call me the next day with an appointment date. No call came and I cried the whole weekend. On the following Monday, I called to find out for myself, Joyce wasn't in and the person (forgot her name) said I had no new date scheduled. When I hung up I called my PCP and spoke to Stacy, explained it all, I again fell apart. She called me back within the hour and said Joyce would be calling me with a new date and she assured me it wouldn't be 8 months away. Okay, Joyce called and was very nice, said she wasn't trying to be rude, I apologized as well because I am sure I was frantic. She gave me a May 30th appointment. My husband and I made sure we were in Charleston on the 29th, 2 blocks away. If I had to I would have walked there. lol Well, maybe call a cab. In any case, the visit was great, the staff were superb and caring. Dr. Byrne is very straightforward, explains all of the pros and cons, minces no words. I am now waiting my surgery date and insurance approval. Anyone that would like to help calm my nerves is more than welcome to email me. :)

I found Dr. Byrne to be competent and nice. He seemed to be concerned and also straight forward. I liked the fact that the first consult also included the meeting with the psych dr and the nutritionist. Nothing like getting it all done in one day! The office staff seems pretty nice, you can tell they're busy though.

After getting very sick and developing hernias to large to operate my Dr. sent me to Dr. Byrne. First impression of MUSC was great. Staff, (admin and nursing) were the most helpful I had ever had. This has continued on throughout. Dr. Byrne was very sure to go over every part of the surgery (even got a book). He had spoken to my regular Dr., and then he gave me a check-up. I saw a councelor and dietitian and other people in my same shape. We talked in a room together and then went home to decide if I wanted or not. Dr. Byrne is very professional and listens to me. I like that the most. He is very concerned for you and your feeling. He and his staff has seen about me and return calls very promptly. The staff and book guides you through all of it. I would recommend him, his staff and hospital at anytime. I don't think I had a problem with anyone there during my 2 stays in the hopsital. All I can say is thank you!

My first appointment went very smoothly. (That is once I figured out where to go after the cross walk thingie). I first met with a nurse, Im sorry I cant remember he name but she was really friendly. After getting my weight and vitals I met with the Pysch.girl. She was very nice, very understanding and very helpful. Then Audra came in. She gave me my bible (the gastric bypass booklet) and explained a few things then in came Dr. Bryrne.

I was very impressed by him. I am no stranger to surgery or surgeons. I was impressed with his questions concerning my past history, and no he doesn't sugarcoat anything. I also like the fact that he respected me in the knowledge that I had of the RNY from my research and didnt just brush me aside as if i were a nussiance!

After meeting with Dr. Byrne then I was shown to a group area where other patients were and Dr. Byrne soon joined us. It was basically a Q&A session, but I really appreciate how they do this because others do think about things that never occured to me. I was very impressed with the commitment Dr. Byrne has to the safety of his patients and his straightforwardness about the ones that had been lost.

Overall this visit went well. There wasnt even a lot of waiting as you probably would expect since it takes so long to get an appointment!!

My date is scheduled for August 15. Jane M. the lady in the financial section is a gem!! I got virtual approval over the phone from my insurance carrier so now Jane will submit the request in writing. And now we wait.

On July 7th I went to the nutrition class. Audra wasn't present..English was the girl that spoke to us. She was nice and very informative. I also met some really nice people who were also just beginning their journey. I feel like this sort of support is going to be very important in the success of this procedure afterwards.

NEW] WELL I HAD TO CHANGE SURGEONS FOR ,PERSONAL REASONS BUT ALL IS WELL NOW [SO FAR] GOD WILLING, MY SURGEON WILL BE DR,THOMAS K,BYRNE
APRIL,21th,WILL THE PERSONAL REASON,WAS I MISSED 2 APPOINTMENTS,WITH THE ENDOR,DOCTOR,SO THEY PUT ME OFF FOR GETTING THE SURGERY DONE[NOT], WHAT THEY WOULDN'T DO MY ANGLE DID FOR ME[DR,BYRNE]AND AS HE SAID TO ME, I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO GO SEE THIS DOCTOR, IT WAS PLAIN TO SEE THAT I NEED THIS SURGERY DONE,NEVER MIND THE GLANDS, ITS YOUR LIFE,,,,,,

DR.Byrne is a very open person hes to the point, tell it if u like it or not, i like that in a doctor.

Dr. Byrne is very serious about weight loss surgery
and the complications that obesity causes. He explained
in detail what I can expect while in the hospital and how
my life will be different after I go home.
I highly recommend him to anyone wanting to have this surgery.
Nobody in his office treated me or my family with anything
less than total respect and courtesy. My first meeting with him
was a very pleasant one. He's been doing this surgery
for several years and was honest with me about complications
that could occur. In your search for a surgeon that performs
this operation, honesty is so very important.

Update 9-10-01
I am almost 2 years post op and within 25 pounds of my goal weight, my how time flies when you're LIVING! Dr. Byrne is, even 2 years after surgery, still cheering me on and encouraging me to maintain my new healthy life style. He responds very promptly to all of the questions that I e mail to him and I'm sure I bug the daylights out of him with the most trivial questions. But his concern for his patients is genuine. I can honestly say that he is one of the most competant surgeons in the field of bariatric surgery. I trusted him with my life and I'd do it again in a heartbeat! Got questions about Dr Byrne or MUSC, e mail me. I enjoy sharing my experience with anyone researching this surgery.

I have decided to go with Dr. Karl Byrne in Charleston, SC. I have a niece who had the Gastric Bypass May 29 with Dr. Byrne and he has a very good reputation. Know another patient of his that had him over 1 and 1/2 years ago and she was very pleased with him. He wants to help people that are severely overweight as well.

I have not met Dr. Strickland or Dr. Givens on a one to one basis yet, but did attend a seminar where both spoke. Was very impressed with both. Dr. Givens even stated that it was such a pleasure to be able to help people who are severely obese to regain their lives. Dr. Strickland and Dr. Givens were very patient about answering questions and never gave any indication that they were in a hurry to be somewhere else.

The staff that works with them are the same as well. They were very informative and very helpful. I even had to call the office and talk with Diane (the insurance person) and she talked with me like we were old friends.

Dr. Strickland/Dr. Givens have a very structured program and both are members of the American Society of Bariatric Surgery. Everything was explained in detailed. I have spoken to another surgeon about this procedure and both him and Dr. Strickland/Dr. Givens information was practically the same.

My feelings for these surgeons are strictly based on first impression. Again, I have not met them on a one-to-one basis.

I had my first consult visit with Dr. Byrne on 5/3/01. My impression was very positive. His office staff was excellent. One comment made by the nurse who conducted the class we have to take prior to surgery really made me feel good. She stated that Dr. Byrne is really protective of his patients so the hospital staff know that they had better take very good care of them. That really impressed me, having worked in a hospital for 12 years, I know most doctors are indifferent to the care their patients get on the floor. Dr. Byrne has a very structured aftercare program and a very competent caring team who work with him.

6/4/01 I had my surgery on 5/29/01 at Medical University of South Carolina. I can't say enough great things about Dr. Byrne and the staff at MUSC. The hospital staff was great and attentive to my needs. Dr. Byrne always came by and asked if I had any questions or problems. After researching surgeons and choosing Dr. Byrne over surgeons closer to home (MUSC is 4 hours from my home) I feel confident that I made the right choice. I had complete confidence in his surgical skills and bedside manner is also great.