Before & After
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Surgeon TestimonialRobert G. Martindale, M.D., Ph.D.
12/02/05
I recently emailed Dr. Martindale to see how he's doing. He was so nice as always. This man is amazing. I can't even imagine someone so thoughtful and passionate about a field like this, but he his truly devoted to helping those people like myself who have lost all hope of living anymore. I just hope he know's what a difference he's made in so many people's lives.
4/15/2005
I went to see Dr. Martindale for the last time before he leaves for his new job in Oregon. I will miss him so much. I gave him a heart shaped box filled with Hersey kisses. I told him at this point I had lost 250 pounds. I had counted out the kisses and give him one for each pound I had lost. This man is amazing. He's been such an inspiration in all that he does for other. He took on my case when no one else would do it and for that I can't thank him enough. He's saved my life and my husbands. I can't ever repay someone for doing something so special for me. Dr. Martindale will be grately missed at MCG. What a shame to lose such a special surgeon.
2/16/2004
I will have to tell you. I've been to now going on my fourth surgeon. Up to this point I was not 100% impressed with the ones that I had gone to. There was something about each one of them that held me back from wanting them to do surgery. I feel extremely BLESSED to have Dr. Martindale as my soon to be surgeon. This man is HIGHLY educated in this field. When we came in to meet me he was very friendly and kind. I felt like he was concerned about me. You could tell from the way that he talked about this that it was a passion for him to help people. He gave time for me to ask questions and did so very wonderfully. He made me feel very good knowing he deals with many patients that are over 500 pounds and has a true concern for those super obese. There are NOT many in this field that will even do surgery on someone these sizes, yet he takes the chance and helps us. What a man! Just to tell you some pluses. He takes the gallbladder out during surgery, he said it only take 3 minutes while your there. I said what about insurance, he said he doesn't charge them for it. He's done over 500 bariatric surgeries dealing with mostly high risk patients. He said to keep in mind he also does other surgeries such as hernia repairs, and other gastrointestinal surgeries, as well as be a professor, and he goes to other countries donating his time to help the less fortunate. He's done maybe 50 patients under 500 pounds the rest where over 500 pounds. He said the average BMI is 60, whereas most are around 45. I felt a huge relief that he's so experienced with high weights. The highest weight he did was over 900 pounds. I asked him about deaths. He has not had a patient die on the OR table. He has however lost 7 patients and he went into full details of each one, he said that patients had died anywhere between 8weeks to a year for various reason. He's only had 3 leaks. I asked him about certain patients and he remembered each one of them. That said a lot. Anyway I spent an hour and a half with him. He also knows and understands about my lymphedema. He felt that I would lose a good bit of weight from therapy. I could tell how he spoke that this was a passion. He said he does this surgery to save people's lives and give them life back. I fell in love with him. While he was talking to me I could see a glow around him. It was the most amazing experience, when we left I KNEW it was right and had major relief. I fully trust him and would put my life in his hands.
8-18-2003
I orginally went to Dr. Gooden in Augusta. He said that he didn't have an OR table big enough for me. Dr. Goodens staff was fine, I just wish someone there would have asked prior about my weight instead of waisting my time and the surgeons time. I was disappointed. This is just my opinion I would not recommend some to go to this surgeon. I was not impressed with his office or how his program was set up for the obese. I am now going to see Dr Burrowes in Atlanta on the 29th of October.
10-7-2003
I went to a Siminar for Dr. Duncan. I will say that I was quite impressed with this man. He is very smart, and had great dry humor! I would recommend him to anyone. His program is very well set up and he took the time after the siminar to talk with me personally. He only now does the Lap RNY. He does however have associates that do the open percedure too. I sent my packet to them and I'm suppose to go see him on November 20th. Provided I pick him to do the surgery.
10-29-2003
Dr. Burrowes was a very informative, and smart man. The longer I sat and spoke to him the more I understood that he does this surgery for the soul reason to give someone their life back. His office was very nice. You can park on the 3rd level in the parking garage and go across the cross walk into the office building. Take the elevators to the 5th floor. It's not very far to walk. His office had chair with and with out arms. As a very comfortable couch. His staff was very kind and took their time with me. Once I got in the office I didn't wait to long. I was then taken back to get weighed and also they take your picture with some measurements. They had no problems with my husband accompanying me back there. We then watched a couple of videos. Dr. Burrowes is a huge fan of the Fobi pouch, which was designed by a surgeon in California (Mathias A. L. Fobi). (http://www.cstobesity.com) I knew going in that he was liked this percedure over the others. If you want to have that done you will have to pay out of pocket $4500. I told him that I could not get the funding for that and would prefer just the RNY without the Fobi. He had NO PROBLEM doing that. Infact he does SIX percedures. RNY, VBG, LAP-BAND, D/S DUODENAL SWITCH, and FOBI POUCH. He said that most insurance will only pay or allow the VBG and RNY. Any other would be out of pocket expense involved. My overall view of Dr. Burrowes was very impressed. He's definately on the HIGH end of the scale. His death rate is very low and he had done over 1000 of this surgery. He took the time to answer all my questions. He doesn't want an answer that day. He told me again all the risks involved. I got a very thick aftercare booklet that explained what I will be able to eat, things to expect, a long list of potential problems that can be resolved by the patient to cut down on calls to his office. It listed ideas for meals. I was extremely impressed. It also described what to expect 1-4 days. I guess what I most impressed about is how he does the percedure. He does it open with an incision of 2-3 inches long!! I know that he is a very skilled surgeon and feel this will be the one for me.
11-20-2003
Well, I decided to go see Dr. Duncan today. Just wanted to feel him out too. I was very disappointed. I knew before I went that he doesn't want you to gain weight, but he wants you to do that for 90 days supervised BEFORE he will do surgery. I understand him wanting to shink the liver, but when I've been trying to diet since May this made me somewhat upset. I've been doing all I can. Not to meantion I was told on the phone that Dr. Duncan would be there. NOPE! He had an associate take a look at all of us. I was told one on one and I'm very upset that I went 150 miles to not ever see the surgeon. Total waste of my time. The staff is friendly, but people need to be told before hand the truth.
Amy Williams's JourneyClick Here To View
Describe your behavioral and emotional battle with weight control before learning about bariatric surgery.It's been a very hard time all my life. It started from the day I was in 1st grade. I was always a tall child. I was picked on from then until the day I graduated high school. The kids were so cruel and it was very hard for me to get thru somethings. I wanted to kill my self. I was not happy with my self. I didn't seem to have many friends. The friends that I did have they are not around anymore. Most of then have not even attempted to talk to me. It had been very hard to deal with no friends. I didn't start feeling better about my self until I met my husband. He was the best thing that has ever happened to me. |
January 31 2005 on January 31, 2005 12:00 am
Kenneth spoke to the lady handling his insurance paperwork. Apparently the insurance is asking for more tests to be done. Plus they need some paperwork wrote differently. This is crazy, but I guess we will just have to do all they are asking for. They denied it because they didn't want all these open claims. This one had been open for so long I guess they chose this to be one of them. We are not giving up, they just want additional info.
Ok so it's now been a month of my first GYM membership! There have been very few days I've not gone. I love it. I can't stress enough the importance this has been for my weight loss. I feel so much better too. I've lost 15 pounds just this month and that's after 7 months since surgery also I've lost 2 pants sizes this month alone! I'm really losing some major inches here! When I go to the Y, it gives me something to look forward to. I spend an hour swimming plus using the weight resistant floating bar bells. If I can do this, so can you! My legs are so saggy from the lymphedema and it was so HARD to get in a swim suit in front of people. So here I am 380 pounds and saggy legs getting in a pool, but who care if anyone looks or stares. I'm doing this for ME! Do this for yourself too!
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Janaury 30 2005 on January 30, 2005 12:00 am
The other day there was a post on Obesityhelp.com from a man who was very upset that he had the surgery. He was 19 days out and said this was the biggest mistake that he had ever made.
I wanted to touch base on this with pre-ops.
First of all...
When I first started this journey. I didn't want to go thru the process of having my insides re-arranged. So I looked into the Lap Band. After doing a lot of research, I found this was not the option for ME. I then focused more on the RNY. After doing a lot of digging, I found out about the DS. I was very happy about the DS and this was going to be the choice for me. Anyhow one thing lead to another and I couldn't find a surgeon in my state to do the surgery on someone my size. I had even thought about going out of state for this surgery. I didn't have the funds to pay for it. So after some soul searching and much researching. I made the choice that was for ME, I had to do what ever it was going to take to get my life back. I was sick of being in a wheel chair and even with the risks I was willing to do this surgery even if it meant death or severe complications. I was sitting in my house rotting away. I had no friends to speak of and I had got to where I couldn't even take care of myself. So to me these risks out weighed this way of life that I did have at the time.
So after explaining all this I promise there is a point.
I WAS lucky! I didn't get complications and I didn't die. My surgery went very well considering my BMI being in a very high risk catagory.
The first month for most people is VERY hard. It was for me. Again I did so much research I had prepared myself for the very worst. I got major food cravings. I missed food. I missed the quanta. I missed the taste. I never once regretted the surgery though, cause I knew for me that my life WAS going to be better than it was. I was on 4 weeks of liquids.
I can't stress enough for those looking into this surgery that you try all options possible before having this surgery. Understand that complications are REAL. You will miss food. You might even get depressed. Think this choice over. This is ONLY a tool, you still have to do your part. Go to support meetings, meet people who've had the surgery. Read the good and the bad. Continue getting support even after surgery, this has been key for me, it keeps me accountable.
I wanted to add that I'm now 8 months out. I've been very happy with my results. I can do things I have not done in YEARS. This was the best choice for ME, but it might not be for you. RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH....
Lastly I can't be more honest than to say you can never prepare yourself for this surgery even with all the research. Life in the beginning after surgery seems so hard, but I kept a positive outlook and I kept telling myself it will get better and it did!
I wish you the best in your journey to being healthy.
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January 28 2005 on January 28, 2005 12:00 am
Well, Kenneth called the insurance company again today. After they have given us the run around now for over a month. Asking for additional info, blah blah blah. He got them to call the preapproval dept again and they came back to say "denied". Of course they refused to give a reason over the phone. So he hung up and ending calling them back again. This time the lady called over again to the approval department and they said according to the notes, something was not legible?? She said that his medical history was not legible. Can you believe this, I couldn't help but laugh... This is really crazy. So now instead of them asking for something to be resubmitted they just denied it to be resubmitted. The lady whom has been handling Kenneth's case is not in today (figures). So we will be calling her back Monday to have it all cleared up. Please keep Kenneth in your prayers.
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January 26 2005 on January 26, 2005 12:00 am
Well, it's been 8 months now. The time is flying away. It's got to a point I don't feel like I've even had surgery. Yes of course I don't eat nearly as much as I use to, but life is pretty "normal" to me now. The other day Kenneth and I were just riding around and I said, " I want to go to the mall". He couldn't believe that. I walked all over the place. I went to the restroom in the mall and was washing my hands, I looked up at myself. Before surgery I wouldn't really even look at myself, but to glimpse at myself. So I looked up and said to myself, WOW who is that? I see my picture and think who was that, was it really that bad. I'm shocked at how things have turned around in just a short time. I love clothes now, I think about what I'm going to wear, it use to not matter. I'm now 382 pounds and have lost a total of 233 pounds!
So much has happened this month alone. I got my first pair of jeans in nearly 10 years, which are getting TOO big now. I walked in the mall which didn't look anything like it did about 8 years ago. I went to a convention and had the time of my life. I cooked a complete meal and didn't have to sit down once. Got my first pair of shoes off the rack, they are 11's. I was wearing slippers and if I could get shoes on they were 13's. My support hose for my legs now just fall off, time for new ones. lol I joined my first GYM and went SWIMMING! I still can't believe that one. So here comes my next goals, to be under 350 pounds, then get under 310. The last recorded weight was about 10 years ago and it was 310. Honestly though I don't think I was even weighed then so I doubt it was accurate. All I know is I feel 100% better!!
Kenneth's paperwork for insurance is all in and it's in review again. I hope that we can hear something by the end of this week on his approval.
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January 20 2005 on January 20, 2005 12:00 am
I've been doing some thinking... Now that's dangerous
Anyhow..... Each of us had a moment in our life were a light bulb went off and we realized we had to do something to change our lives. What ever that reason may be it's usually all the same of most of us and that's to be healthy. So my question is? When did it become a number game?
Does being a certain weight constitute being happy? I say NO. It's not going to matter if we weigh 120 pounds or 250 pounds. The number is not going to make us change how we feel about ourselves. I've seen people on several sites who have even reached their goal weight and still find they are very unhappy, even ones who've had plastic surgery. What I'm getting at is this surgery is not only NOT brain surgery it's also NOT a happy pill either.
So what can make you happy? Who's to say. I know for me what's made me happy even at 390 pounds.
Being able to walk again
able to get up without joint pain
having my husband put his arms around me and hold me tight
finding clothes and saying "those won't fit" and finding out they do
meeting other people going thru this journey and supporting them (paying it forward)
Being able to clean my house, check the mailbox
Most of all, knowing I've been a lucky one, God granted me a second chances at life, now the question is what will I do with it?
It's up to us! I know I'm going to make the most of this second chance, I'm not worried about a number or reaching a goal weight, I just want to be happy and living healthy!
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January 15 2005 on January 15, 2005 12:00 am
I want to first say if you have never been to one of these, you have to go!!! Bo and Monica were awesome, the food was great and the best part was being with people who know and understand, it's unexplainable! Thank you Obesityhelp!
OH MY! I don't know where to start really!!
This weekend was full of many first for me. I had the most fun at the Atlanta convention.
I'll start by saying I wore my first pair of jeans in nearly 10 years!!!
I met some of the most special people this weekend and saw some special people whom I've known from previous meetings.
The convention was a blast!!! There was a period in the convention that those who had lost weight where asked to stand up, so many people stood up. Then Monica (event manager) got down to those who had lost 100 pounds to remain standing and then asked us to come up front. I was able to walk up there with NO problems, so then we were told we would get a special pin from Obesityhelp for our loss. Monica started down until we got to people whom has lost 200 pounds. I started getting very emotional because if was amazing to me to see how many had lost 100's of pound. There was about 7 of us whom had lost over 200 pounds. She would have us come up and say our name and how much we've lost and also have everyone clap, so she got to 220s. There was 3 of us! I went to get my pin and the feeling was overwhelming and to hear all the support from the people watching brought a huge smile to my face and a tear to my eye. So please know those of you there were there, that meant the world to me. Just 7 months ago I would never have made that walk up to get that pin or stood as long as I did to get it. It made it all sooooooooo worth it! BTW congrats to JOE WOODS he lost 350 pounds, the most asides from Bo of course!!!
I can't even tell you all the amazing people I met, there was too many to name.
I had another memorable moment after the convention. We went to Bahama Breezes. They has some great music so a good bit of people were up dancing. Thanks to some special people, Tonya, Bo, Lynnda, Elle, Tracy, Tami, and Sherry I did it. This was the first time I've ever done anything like this. I got up and danced, well I tried. Elle, Tracy and Lynnda, you may never know how much that meant to me Thank you so much for making me feel so "normal"! I had a blast with you all.
Thanks for all the hugs!
CLICK HERE for Convention Pics!!
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January 14 2005 on January 14, 2005 12:00 am
Well finally after long last tomorrow is the day of the event here in Atlanta!
I'm really excited about this because it's going to be so different for me.
Let me explain.
This time last year I couldn't walk more than 5 feet with out feeling like I was going to fall down, my joints hurt so bad, my legs were in so much pain, my life (health wise) was falling apart. If I went any where which was not often I had to use a wheelchair and rely on others to push me around. NOT ANYMORE!!! It's hard to describe just how much this surgery has changed my life.
What has changed?
I can now cook for myself. Last night infact I made a complete dinner, didn't have to sit on a stool to rest, my back didn't hurt, I wasn't short of breath. It felt wonderful. I'm constantly cleaning the house, just to say I can do it. I love to vacuum!! :lol: I love life. So many people take their life for granted. More than anything in just these 7 months I've realized that I may not reach that magic number weight that some doctors consider "healthy", that's not what this is all about for me. It's just being able to enjoy life and realize how blessed I am to be alive!! There's not possibly a number on the scale that will make me happy, the only thing that will do that is to be happy with myself. So in a sense even at 395 pounds, I've reached a major goal, I LOVE MYSELF!
I love to shop
I love to walk
I love to water the plants
I love to clean
I love to do laundry
I love to cook
I love to go to the Y!!!
The list is endless!!
This surgery to me has never been about reaching a certain weight, it was about being healthy, happy and living!! I'm doing them all now!
So I say to all of you, remember to stop and smell the flowers so to speak, life is so valuable!
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January 10 2005 on January 10, 2005 12:00 am
Well, today my parents left for their next assignment, they are heading back to California again, Oakland area. We had hoped they would get an assignment from my dad's job in North Carolina, but that didn't work out. I really had a great time while they were here. My parents seem to be quite amazed at how my life has changed in such a VERY short time. They constantly told me how proud they were for me. I've always lived close to my parents and I love that they are out traveling around. I'm happy for them, but on the same hand I'm sad. I'm sad because now I can do so many things and I want to spend as much time with them as I can. They are the reason I joined the Y. It's because of my parents motivation that I was able to just do it. I'm so proud of my mom, she had congestive heart failure several years ago, and even though she has to use a walker and can't do as much as she use to she will always be my hero. My dad is also my hero, surviving cancer and 2 heart attacks. They have both battled obesity while I was growing up and again was a driving force to me to realize the things that have happened to them would potentially be my fate if I didn't have this surgery. I don't think they will ever know how much they mean to me. That's why I was so sad to see them go. I think they both feel a lot better seeing me though. My dad said before they left, "I never imagined you'd being doing so well this soon. We are so proud of you!"
When I hugged my mom goodbye, I didn't want to let her go. I feel bad cause for the past few years I didn't get to do things with them and now I can, but they are not around :( I can't wait already for them to come back home again.
Gosh I can't believe how much this surgery has changed my life.
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January 7 2005 on January 7, 2005 12:00 am
Ok so as if food was not bad enough, I've picked up two new addictions. One is not so bad and the other, well could be! :lol:
My mom took me to the fashion bug the other day and I just love to try on clothes. I'm still picking up things WAY to big and don't know what to think of myself when something actually fits! The first time in years I've turned into one of those people that change their clothes several times and want to wear something "just right" I have to admit through it's so much fun to play dress up. My mom even commented on how I was looking at myself in the dressing room mirrors. I didn't even realize I was doing it. I'm not afraid to look at myself and it feels good to feel good about yourself.
I also just LOVE to go swimming at the Y. I've gone everyday this week. It's something to look forward too and my energy level has sky rocketed. My parents call me an "energizer Amy"!
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January 4 2005 on January 4, 2005 12:00 am
Well I'm officially addicted! I have a new addiction, swimming. Those that haven't been to the Y should really consider it. They have all kinds of classes for water exercise and have these cool water weights. It's not like most people would think, you don't have all these buff people walking around, everyone is so different. I feel very comfortable there. Most times during the day there is hardly anyone even there. I've just been 4 times so far and boy I can tell a difference in my energy, it gives me something to do and look forward to. Today after going to the Y, I went to Walmart with my parents. We went in and there were no motorized carts, I thought No problem. So for the first time in years I walked the isles of Walmart! I had the most fun, just walking and looking.
Yesterday was awesome too, it was Kenneth and mines 10th wedding anniversary! He was so sweet and wrote me the most romantic love letter. He said I was like the woman he married again and how happy he was to have me healthy and active again. This surgery has really changed my life.
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