Ronald H. Clements Bariatric Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S.

Dr. Clements was very straight to the point. "This isnt a surgery to make you look good, this is to make you healthier" thats pretty close to his exact words. I'm 18 years old and have been battling a weight problem since I was about 6. Though I've never let my weight stop me, it does limit me to what I can do. I always played softball, basketball and I even did gymnastic's one year.I would hit the ball and I could barley make it to first base. My coach would always tell me "even though you got out you advanced the runners" But Advancing the runners isnt good enough for me. I want to be able to have the engery to make it to first base but when I get thier I'm not stopping I'm going all the way home.. Thats what I feel like at this point in my life..My surgery is December 12,2002 and I'm about to hit ball as hard as I ever hit it and I'm going to run tagging each base but never slowing down..

My first impression of Dr. Clements was that he seemed a little young to be the highly skilled and experienced surgeon that I had heard he was. I really expected him to be a little arrogant and not as caring, but he was just the opposite. I was very impressed with his professionalism, straight-forwardness, thoroughness and geniune concern for his patients and their "health". He did stress aftercare and "strict" adherence to the program. He was very upfront and honest about the risks of surgery but at the same time seemed confident - which helped put some of my "fears" at ease. I know that I have made the right decision in waiting for what I have been told by so many of his patients - that he is "the best" choice for surgeon for this procedure. His office staff were wonderful. I am still amazed at how much they care and are concerned for each one of us. It is awesome to feel like you really matter - and you're not just "another patient" to deal with. His nurse Teresa and Insurance Specialist Dewanna are just the best - I couldn't thank them enough for being so wonderful. I would definitely recommend Dr. Clements to anyone who is considering this surgery. I know that he is very booked ahead and seems like a long wait to get in to see him, but I believe he will definitely be worth the wait. He is a christian and I know God will direct his hands. I have complete confidence in him as my surgeon. As of right now, I don't have anything to say about what I like least about Dr. Clements. Right now, I just feel like he is a blessing - and I am starting down the road to a new life. 12/6/02

I like Dr. Clements. He is friendly seems very competant. I have heard that he is the best choice for lap surgery in AL. I began the surgery process before he moved from Carraway to UAB and did not like his staff at all at the beginning. His staff has been replaced, and I have no problems with his new nurse. She is very helpful.

Had my consultation on 11/22/02. It went great! I really liked Dr. Clements, and his nurse was so nice. She and her husband have both had the surgery, so she could answer a lot of questions. They were good to explain the positive and negative aspects of the surgery and made every effort to answer all your questions.

Wonderful. He was very informative and took time to let you ask questions, which he answered thoroughly.
I am now 2 weeks post-op and still like him, I honestly have no complaints about him at all.
When I first started, March, 02, some of the office staff was not helpful. They have since been replaced, and I have NO complaints and nothing but good things to say.
There is really nothing that I can say that I don't like about him, except maybe that he is so busy and backed-up.
I would advise when you even just think that you might want to consider surgery, go ahead and get an appointment and then cancel later if you happen to change your mind.
Aftercare is everything. This is a life-altering committment, and he is VERY STRICT about that.
He does have a structured aftercare program, listing ALL foods that you should eat and is very strict about NO SUGAR EVER!!!
He was very up-front and honest about ALL risks of surgery, things that never have, but could happen. What he would do in case of having to do "open" surgery and what the risks/benefits of all would be.
With Dr. Clements, all of the above, he is kind, understanding, patient, willing to listen and willing to answer ANY questions that you have and makes sure that he takes the time do so do.

Dr Clements was up front and very nice.

7/1/02 MY FIRST VISIT .MY FIRST IMPRESSION OF HIM WAS WONDERFUL, HE WAS VERY STRAIGHT FORWARD, & INFORMATIVE, HE WAS KIND,CAREING, & HAD A SENCE OF HUMOR.THE OFFICE STAFF WERE ALL GREAT,THE DAY I WAS THERE THE INSURANCE GIRL WAS LEAVING & WAS TRAINING A GIRL NAME DEWANA, SHE HAS BEEN REALLY HELPFUL, I THINK SHE IS A GREAT ASSET TO THE OFFICE STAFF.NEW PATIENTS SHOULD HAVE ALL MEDICAL RECORDS POSSIBLE, & HAVE A SLEEP STUDY,& A LIPED BLOOD TEST DONE & A FASTING BLOOD TEST TO CHECK FOR DIABETES BEFORE GOING IT WILL MAKE THINGS GO ALOT SMOOTHER & QUICKER. HE WILL GO OVER THE SURGERY AND ALL RISK INVOLVED & ALL THE AFTER CARE , DIET PLAN , VITAMINS EVERYTHING,OVERALL MY WHOLE FIRST EXPERIANCE WAS GREAT!!!!
CINDY BARBER- HUNTSVILLE, AL. UPDATE 8/19/02,WENT FOR MY SECOND VISIT,SURGERY SCHEDULED FOR 10/29/02. NEW GIRL DEWANNA HAS BEEN EXCELLENT. ALWAYS RETURNS CALLS VERY PROMPTLY, ALSO TERESA THE NURSE IS GREAT, SHE HAS A GREAT SENCE OF HUMOR, SHE ALSO HAS HAD THE BY-PASS SURGERY, SHE LOOK GREAT, I CAN'T WAIT !! DR. CLEMENTS AS BEFORE ON THE FIRST VISIT WAS GREAT. CINDY BARBER HUNTSVILLE, AL.

Dr. Clements was obvioulsy very busy, alot of appointments, but spent 45-50 minutes with me answering questions. Liked him immediately.
Impression over time only proved my first impression to be correct.. and more so.
Office staff on the other hand, not so much. Don't know if it is because they are so swamped or what, but difficult to talk to a person, leave lots of messages. Maybe they just need more office staff? Just my experience.
Just started support group in July. Stressed aftercare followups with him big time during all of my check ups. Says those who follow up are more likely to keep weight off.
Addressed risks of surgery during initial consult and subsequent visit (after BCBS approval).
I would rate Dr. Clements as excellent overall. Had one or two concerns about diet,nausea, early out and he took the time to call me back himself, which I really appreciated. Stresses that I should consult with him before any major health issues/ other surgery, because not all docs. understand WLS. I have no problem consulting him... very pleased overall. I think I could have gotten in quicker with another surgeon.. but am so glad I waited for Dr.Clements.

My first impression was good, he seemed very young. Always had a lot of Doctors in Residency around him. My impression changed when I had my surgery. I had always found him to be very sure of himself and informative but the subsequent meetings I had with him, I felt him to be arrogant and flip.

I had multiple problems with his office staff, in particular Michelle Peters (who is no longer on his staff). She lost paperwork, didn't follow up on things and, in general, I didn't feel she worked with me. I took a 6 month leave from work to have my surgery and had already received approval from my insurance before even my first appointment. Even though all this was established, Michelle still put me through her list for pre-approval. I did the approval basically on my own with the help of my primary physician. I had trouble getting appointments with Dr. Clements office and even once made, they were changed often. Even after my surgery date was scheduled, it was changed a week before. I had to go back to work the week before my surgery and had additional pressure of a new company to deal with. I didn't feel like Dr. Clements or his staff felt my concern for this or even tried to help. I almost ended up having to deal with another insurance company and starting over with the insurance process.

I am now post-op and even though he gives out a manual for the diet and such, I didn't feel like I got much support or instruction. I did not see Dr. Clements at all before or directly after my surgery. I only saw him for 5 minutes before my discharge. I had requested a review of my living will and instructions before the surgery and did not have such.

The dietician and the documentation that was given to me had disagreeing information. I didn't feel like the aftercare was stressed much after discharge. I was not given instructions on wound care and very little instruction on diet. Luckily I have been in contact with friends who have had the surgery and got most of my information from them. The only information I got was don't eat anything more consistent that mashed potatoes and don't eat anything sweet. I pushed the dietician for more info and she gave me some but basically said follow the manual.

My aftercare program consists of an appointment that has been changed twice. I was supposed to see him at 2 weeks but at this point it has been put off to almost a month after surgery.

No bedside manner to report because I didn't see him. Others in the hospital at the same time I was saw their surgeon often. I had 2 visits from residents I had never met before and they just looked at my abdomen and left.

Dr. Clements did address the risks of the surgery and I felt comfortable with the level of competancy. I don't feel like I was prepared with other aspects of the surgery. The air that is placed in your abdomen during the surgery causes a lot of discomfort (not really pain) and unless you walk around and lay a certain way on the bed, you are uncomfortable. This was never addressed. Also, moving around is important and it was not addressed much.

The last thing is that Dr. Clements needs to have a better understanding of overweight people. It would help to have larger size chairs in the internal waiting room and things like that. The pre-op room needs to be given larger gowns for gastric bypass patients. Things like this. Maybe with the addition of Teresa to the staff, things like this will change some.

My actually surgery went well and I did not have any complications.

I believe Dr. Clements to be one of the best surgeon's I have ever met. He appears to be very skilled at lap procedures. I had a lap gallbladder removal 1 yr. before my gastric bypass and had much more pain with the gallbladder removal. I took no pain meds after my RNY and even turned down the morphine in the hospital. Dr. Clements has great bedside manner also, he is very compassionate, let very straightforward. I really have the utmost respect for him.