Daniel Stickler Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

I have only met with the doctor/surgeon one time so far. Although I have attended one support group meeting where he was present. But I do not think it fair to comment at this point because I have not had that much interaction with him as yet. I do have a pre-surgery consult/visit with him scheduled for the day before surgery (11/20/01).
As I get to know the doctor/surgeon with each follow-up visit, I feel I will be better able to present my impression of him.

My first impression of Dr. Stickler was that he was young, attractive and thin, but very calm and assuring. He was very understanding and did not criticize my obesity. The office staff are equally wonderful. They are always complementary and encouraging. I love the fact that he is just a regular guy. He doesn't profess to be some big hot shot. He talks to his patients in regular "West Virginia" language. There is nothing negative that I would ever say about Dr. Stickler. He saved my life, twice. I was going to die from obesity when I had this surgery. Then I had the leakage, that is plainly outlined in any pamphlet or web site that you research, and I was very close to death, and with Gods help and Dr. Sticklers hands I was returned to my family. He supported my family throughout the whole ordeal and for that I will always appreciate him. He has always took all the time in the world with me, with every return visit. I developed bed sores because of the long hospital stay and lack of nursing care and he did outpatient surgery on one of those and did a wonderful job. He talked to me the whole time letting me know exactly what he was doing. He has a structured aftercare program and he addressed all risks of surgery very plainly. He is the "only" doctor for me. He is an excellent surgeon and has a great personality. He is just like one of your neighbors down the road who would love to have some fresh corn out of your garden! He will take care of you!

3-4-01 I'm on Dr. Stickler's waiting list for group consultations, which is backed up until approximately May. I did meet Dr. Stickler at a support group meeting last month. My first impression was that he's interested in his patients and how they continue to do after the surgery.

7-12-01 Today was my 1st consult with Dr.Stickler. He was very nice,and answered any questions I had and talked about the risks and the benefits. He didn't act rushed to get to the next patient, so I felt like he cares about each one. I felt the office staff was very nice, but on edge because they were not only in a new office, but also learning a new computer system. I'd rate the overall visit as an 8 out of 10. I think surgical competance and bedside manor have to go together to make a great doctor. Dr. Stickler seems to have both.

My first impression of Dr. Stickler was that he was a very caring physician. He will sit with you and answer all your questions until you understand everything. My impression over time has only gotten better showing that he is consistently concerned about his patients. His staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. There was nothing really I least like about him except that he is very skinny, LOL!

Future patients should not that he is on the cutting edge of new technology and will always be offering the best treatment available for his patients.

He empasizes aftercare strongly. He along with the hospital have a support group that he speaks at quite often. He tells you this is a life change and not to be taken lightly. He and the hospital are also opening up a bariatric treatment center to centralize all of the bariatric patients and new treatments into one convenient location.

He has a definite aftercare program of diet, exercise, vitamins, follow-up visit, etc.

He was very honest about the risks of surgery and even told me of a patient of his that died after surgery but it was related to sleep apnea and not the surgery. He is very up front about anything you ask.

Overall, I would rate Dr. Daniel Stickler a very caring and competent (meaning excellent) surgeon. This is not the first procedure he has performed on me and I trust him with whatever he feels is necessary to do for my health.

I feel that a doctor needs both surgical competence and bedside manner in dealing with patients and putting them at ease with their health conditions.

I first met Dr. Stickler on 10-3-00. He was very pleasant and actually took the time to explain the RNY procedure he performs to me and answer all of my questions. His staff was also pleasant. "Drema" even scheduled my appointment with a general practioner for me and subsequently called to inform me of the date. Dr. Stickler volunteered to tell me that he has performed a little over 30 of these surgeries, and has done them all within the past year. (He is somewhat young.) Overall, I have had as much of a pleasurable experience as one can have in visiting a doctor. I have no complaints.

When it came time to schedule surgery, Dr. Stickler called me personally.

Dr. Stickler has a support-group for his patients and those considering the surgery. It meets at Thomas Hospital in South Charleston, WV, at 6 p.m. on the first Monday of the month. This shows he really cares about his patients. In fact, he says that he could make more money doing other surgeries, but enjoys helping people and seeing their successes so much that he continues performing gastric bypasses.

Now having had the RNY & my gallbladder removed at the same time, laprascopically, by Dr. Stickler, I can say he is an excellent surgeon! My lacerations are very small and look pretty good. On my way to surgery even the nurses were whispering to me what an excellent surgeon Dr. Stickler is.

Had a problem w/ my stomach a few weeks after surgery (stomach so swollen that food could not exit my pouch into my bowels) and went to emergency room in pain. Before giving me pain meds, hospital had to contact my doctor. Nurse said I was lucky b/c Dr. Stickler answers his pager promptly. After answering his pager and approving pain meds, he came to hospital a few hrs later to perform minor surgery to fix me (even tho' I was making him late for a gastric bypass seminar in D.C.).

Dr. Stickler is a thin person.

He took me off his list for surgery ( I was scheduled for 12-11-00)- for no reason and without informing me. He will not return my calls and won't answer my e-mails, leaving me in a state of confusion. I really don't know where to turn or what to do. I cannot recommend him for that very reason.

Surgeon very thin - warning when seeing. He was not cocky but willing to answer all questions. Very busy office, great physician's assistant Tina, and staff member Nancy is an encourager. They take care of insurance, psychological, and scheduling of surgery. Aftercare is important to him but it does not appear real structured. He refers you to this site and the support group in South Charleston which meets monthly. He tells you that there are no guarentees and that the surgery is a TOOL. You must follow the plan and not cheat. My preference is surgical competence over bed side manner; however Dr. Stickler so far has presented no problems in either category. I would recommend him.

He was very nice. Did not exhibit any problems with many questions asked of him. He was up front and honest and seemed to believe that obesity is from causes much larger than simply overeating. A friend of mine tells me that he attends the support group which meets at Thomas Memorial Hospital. He is well-liked by the group.

He is working on obtaining a nutritionist to work with his patients.

He told our group that a plastic surgeon would be at the next support group's meeting
It was good for Dr. Stickler to inform those "just looking" where they could gain additional information.

From what I have heard about him, he is sensibly cautious.

09/00 - Very impressed with Nancy at Dr. Stickler's office. She scheduled everything, was very encouraging, patient, and went the extra mile with me.

10/2000 - Have e-mailed Dr. Sticker and faxed him a list of about 7 questions but have not yet received a response.

10/00 - Complimentary statements from ob-gyn concerning surgery & Dr. Stickler.



Actually, I would rather have a competent surgeon than one w/ a wonderful bedside manner if I have to choose. A sweetheart with bad hands can't save you. It is important to have a doctor that is accessible after surgery. I have been in the hospital awaiting a phone call back to the nurses for a medicine, etc. and a doctor failed to call back (neither was a collegue available.)

I have only had one consultation with Dr. Stickler. At that time I found him friendly and direct (which I appreciated) and very willing to answer questions. As I now have a surgery date set, I plan to make an appointment between now and then for another office visit because I have lots of new questions for him. Staff was very nice as well, I have dealt with Nancy over the phone regarding my insurance approval and she was very helpful and pleasant. I didn't really get any negative impressions from him at the time. I'll know more about aftercare etc. after my next appointment. I have it on good authority that he is quite a competent surgeon, and I don't yet know about his bedside manner, but his office manner was gentle and direct.