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

Dr. Bryne was a straight forward person. You can respect what he has to say, because he is the one with nothing to lose. His staff was great. Especially Ms. Joyce. I must have harassed her, until they told me I was approved. Once again, all I can say is Dr. Bryne is great. I would recommend him to anyone that I know is seeking to have the procedure done.

MY HUSBAND & I WERE IMPRESSED WITH THE ENTIRE "MUSC EXPERIENCE" YESTERDAY. FOR DETAILS, PLEASE LOOK ON MY PROFILE JOURNAL FOR SEPTEMBER 1, 2005.

DR BYRNE WAS INFORMATIVE, DETAILED IN ANSWERING QUESTIONS, EXCITED ABOUT THE ENORMOUS HEALTH BENEFITS OF WLS & DETAILED ABOUT THE RISKS. HE ALSO EMPHASIZED THE PATIENT'S PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY BEFORE & AFTER SURGERY. HE CAN DO THE SURGERY & GIVE US A "TOOL" TO LOSE WEIGHT ... THE NURSES CAN CARE FOR OUR NEEDS AFTER SURGERY ... BUT, ULTIMATELY THE SUCCESS (OR, FAILURE) OF OUR WEIGHT LOSS RESTS WITH OUR DETERMINATION TO FOLLOW THE "PLAN" & PROPERLY USE THE "TOOL" OF OUR WLS FOR THE REST OF OUR LIVES.
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DR MORGAN WAS WONDERFUL DURING MY MEDICAL INTERVIEW. SHE WAS TREMENDOUSLY INFORMATIVE, ANSWERED ALL OUR QUESTIONS & REALLY PUT US AT EASE.
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TONYA SHIPMAN (Dietitian / Nutritionist) ...
MUSC (Medical University of South Carolina), CHARLESTON, SC

I THINK THIS IS THE HARDEST PART OF THE ENTIRE WLS PROCESS, TO UNDERSTAND & FOLLOW A NEW WAY OF EATING. TONYA SHIPMAN (AT MUSC) GAVE US SO MUCH INFORMATION THAT WE WERE ON "INFORMATION OVERLOAD". THE WONDERFUL THING IS THAT SHE DID NOT LEAVE US "HANGING". SHE GAVE US HER PHONE # & E-MAIL ADDRESS SO WE COULD CONTACT HER. SHE SAID TO CONTACT HER ANY TIME ... & BACKED IT UP WITH A FUNNY STORY ABOUT PEOPLE ACTUALLY CALLING HER FROM THE GROCERY STORE ASKING HER SHOULD THEY EAT THIS OR THAT. I WAS IMPRESSED WITH HER ENTHUSIASM.
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DAVID CASTELLONE, MD
PALMETTO PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS, SUMMERVILLE, SC...

IF YOU NEED A FAMILY DOCTOR, I COULD NOT GIVE A HIGHER RECOMMENDATION THAN TO I OFFER FOR DR DAVID CASTELLONE; THIS MAN PRACTICES MEDICINE WITH HIS HEART!!! IF IT WEREN'T FOR HIM (& GOD, OF COURSE), I TRULY BELIEVE MY MOTHER WOULD HAVE DIED DECADES AGO. HE DEMANDS THE ABSOLUTE BEST OF HIMSELF & HIS STAFF, & THEY DON'T DISAPPOINT HIM. HE LISTENS TO HIS PATIENTS & "HEARS" THEIR CONCERNS. WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME PATIENTS OF ONE OF HIS PARTNERS WHOSE OFFICE IS 3 MINUTES FROM OUR HOME ... WE CHOSE TO TRAVEL LONGER TO KEEP DR CASTELLONE! I CANNOT SAY ENOUGH FOR THIS MAN!
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DR SARA MONTOYA SEES DR CASTELLONE'S PATIENTS WHEN HE IS UNAVAILABLE & SHE IS AS WONDERFUL AS HE IS.
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I like his upfront and to the point personality. He tells you like it is. Joyce that always answers the phone is the most pleasant and caring person. I wish I could have spent more time talking withe Dr. Byrne. Overall the booklet that was given goes over a lot of questions or concerns you may have after surgery. It also gives you ideas for recipes during your month of pureed food.I felt very confident with my surgeon's abilities and his caring personality.

I was anxious to meet Dr Byrne because he has such varied comments on here. I found him to be very nice- he was very professional and matter-of-fact. He obviously wants us to know exactly what we're getting ourselves into and make educated decisions about this.

Dr. Byrne is a "Tell it like it is!" kind of guy. He doesn't pussy-foot around and make it sound like this surgery and the year after it is going to be a piece of cake. He'll give the good, the bad, and the ugly of weight loss surgery. It was kind of hard for me to take him seriously because he kind of seems like he "doesn't care" when you ask him a question. That, however, is not the case. He may not have the best bedside manner or personal communication skills, but I would trust him to take care of my needs any day! He did a fine job on my surgery. He was positive on his drop-ins in the hospital. He was encouraging at my 2 week staple-removing visit. All I can say is THANK YOU DR. BYRNE!

I cannot begin to say enough good things about Dr. Byrne and his staff! My first impression of him was, "I like a doctor who is straight-forward with a dry sense of humor!" That's how I am myself. Every single staff member I came in contact with was extremely knowledgeable and friendly, which made me so much at ease.

My best advice is do what they tell you to do and you can't go wrong. Read my profile and you'll see what I mean!

As for follwoup care, everyone should know that it is for life. There is a timeframe for visits, but they also stress that should you need anything or have any problems or issues they want to hear from you right away.

I knew the risks with the surgery, but I also knew the risks I would have in the future if I did not have it; so I chose surgery.

Dr. Byrne and staff all are very competent and extraordinary people because they really do care and that to me, makes all the difference in the world. The only negative thing I can say is that for my first post-op appointment I had to wait 45 minutes to be seen. Wow, big deal; we all need to be patient and realize we are there to see a doctor and not waiting in line at the grocery store.

I think Dr. Byrne and his staff did a great job on my initial visit. They were so informative and I am excited and ready to get on with my new life - just hope insurance will cooperate!

Very nice and caring. He was very upfront and honest, and because I had another stomach surgery that put me at high risk, he took a lot of time with me and gave me the names of other surgeons at Emory and VA Commonwealth to contact for their opinions as well. Those doctors also contacted me very quickly. I have been very pleased with his overall concern and approach. He wants his patients to be very well informed so they can make the right decision.

We also attended the group meeting where he discussed the surgery itself and what to expect and aftercare, and he was extremely detailed and patient with the many questions this one lady kept asking. The rest of the room was ready to scream, but he kindly and patiently stood there and answered her barrage of questions. These questions are all answered in the group meeting once per month with the dieticians and nurses.

Overall rating A+. Dr. Byrne is a fine surgeon with a dry wit. He was honest and thorough in his pre and post-operative consults/visits. He comprehensively outlined the risks and benefits of surgery (which I had throughly researched myself prior to my first visit with him). I am 4+ years post-op and I've done very well overall. The majority of his office staff were helpful and friendly. I feel that his surgical competence, based on my experience and knowledge of his focus on WLS, is very high. I had some complications during surgery which were handled well. I did feel that some of the MUSC hospital staff (mainly nursing/care staff) were sufficiently trained to deal with the care of a post-op bariatric patient. I had a sense that they (but not all of them), seemed to lack compassion for a patient struggling with obesity. (ie. a very 'off-handed manner'- treating the patient as if they must not be very intelligent because they are obese-). I'd like to think that in the years that have passed since my surgery, the MUSC Nursing Staff are better trained to assist post-op bariatric patients. The majority of the nursing staff were very caring and supportive. Naturally, these views are my own based on my own personal experience as a patient. Overall, my experience was a positive one.

1/06/2005 appointment