Sollenberger Colon & Rectal Surgery

I have been going to Dr. Richards for about 10 years and have had 3 colonoscopy’s due to family history and being at high risk. I starting going at 40. He is wonderful. I love how funny he is and it makes the patient feel very at ease. I love his office… it is full (no pun intended) of jokes and items relating to «poop». Super nice doctor who clearly likes his job. :0)

The previous review of Dr. Richards goes double for me. He’s funny, attentive and will put you right at ease. I think he’s fantastic! I love all the funny toys he has in his office. The first time I went in there the first thing he said to me was «I’m always bringing up the rear!». Then he chuckled and put me right at ease. He wasn’t really late, but just cracked a joke. I wish more doctors had his bedside manner.

I’m young for the problems I have, I was 33, that may be why there are no other posts on here.
My personal doctor there is Dr. Andrew Richards. He saw my mom and several other co-​workers recommended him. He is realistic, funny, professional, and most importantly he listened each and every time I saw him. The first time I saw him was a follow up to an ER visit for my second bout of diverticulitis. I sat in his office in front of his desk not in an exam room, which put me at ease right off the bat with all his funny toys. We talked about all kinds of things, including how much he loves his job, about my life, expectations and he presented me with options and his preferred plan.
I had a pretty horrible abcess and antibiotics did not work.3 weeks later I was admitted to Holy Spirit for IV antibiotics and they discharged me 4 days later against my will and against Dr. Richards judgement. 12 hours later I was screaming in pain called the on-​call and Dr Richards within minutes said get a ride to Harrisburg Hospital and go straight to room xxx and get in the first bed you see. I had a pick line and was there several weeks as he tried to control my infection. It didn’t work and I ended up having most of my large bowel removed.
He sat down in my hospital room before my surgery and talked things out. He let me cry, and ask questions. He talked to my family on the phone to ease their concerns. He told me I might have a bag bc of the infection but he would do the best he could and even though I was terrified of not just dying but having a colostomy bag… I felt in the best hands. His residents are idiots but all residents are. He is a jokester but respects your opinion and let’s you be part of your healthcare choices. He reminds me of Jerry Lewis as my A** Doctor.
He helped me through some pain issues I had and he was on vacation the week after my surgery. Dr. Delong helped me with an infection in my incision sight and the nurses there were amazing helping me barely walk in the building for that a week later. It was a blur and I was extremely sick but they held my hand, patted me on the shoulder, and helped me as much as they could. Follow ups were embarrassing and histerical all at the same time. But his concern for how I was doing was clear. I have sent a friend to him for the same problem and he asked how I was doing.
As for the other doctors, I saw Dr. DeLong (who reminded me completely of Norm McDonald) and was nice and I felt in capable hands with him as well, he is just quiet and likes to speed through your visits. I like over kill on information. I saw Dr. Sollenberger once and I wouldn’t go to him based on our one visit, but also sat bedside and explained procedure wise what would happen. I had a couple roommates that wouldn’t see any other doctor and had the highest of compliments to pay him.
The front office staff love him too. Almost every Dr. Office has moody miserable office staff or nurses, but not here. People laugh and are polite. I had a rough initial recovery and they did everything to make me more comfortable, from walking me back right away to keep me from walking farther to telling me I «looked» better already. Those girls are very sweet. The office on N. Front Street is beautiful and well kept, difficult to find since it is on the median, so know that before you do 10 circles and are late for your appointment.
I think they all do, but at least Dr. Richards sees patients out of both Holy Spirit (who time and time again has attempted to murder my friends and family there) and Harrisburg, Hospital. I was in both, and I will never go to holy Spirit Again ever.
Overall, Dr Richards is my hero and made me whole and normal again. He literally saved my life and without his care I would most definitely have died. I moved several thousand miles away but he is still in my phone incase I need to fly back into his care!