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Surgeon Testimonial

Robert 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 Journey

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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.
Latest Surgery Support Comments

  • Comment by Sharon Johnson on 10/16/07 12:19 pm
    HI Amy-All I can say is wow. I have been overweight all of my life and I started this journey almost a year ago. I didn't see your first episode on MTV but I have been reading your posts for the past 5 months since I have been a member of OH. You and Kenneth are such great people, I wish you nothing happiness and good health. Sincerely, Sharon Johnson
  • Comment by karaoke Nadine on 10/13/07 9:25 pm
    Hey Amy....just checked out the updated MTV video. You and Kenneth look awesome and I still can't tell you enough what an inspiration you both are. I also wanted to say a Happy belated Birthday to you. Hope you had a great one!!! Sending you lots of Love, Nadine!
Click here for the surgery support page
THE JOURNEY TO THE NEW ME!
This is the story of my life's journey of winning the battle against Obesity!


June 30 2005
on June 30, 2005 12:00 am

When OH came to Atlanta back in January I had told Monica Ganz then I wanted to be down 300 pounds by the Orlando event. This past weekend it was the most amazing feeling to be one of the biggest losers at the event. I was one of the last ones standing having lost a total of 301 pounds in 13 months! I've gone from a BMI of 79 to 39! That's 40 points off my BMI. I'm now just "severely obese"! I got to meet some of the most wonderful people this weekend. Friends I've been talking to for nearly two years. I had the best time in the world going to Disney. I walked all over the place. I was tired after it was all over, but I did it! I fit on the rides, I fit through the turnstyles. The best moment was when I went into "It's a small world". That was the first ride I went to. I was going through the ride just taking the song all in. It made me smile seeing all the different cultures, but it also made me think about how much my life has changed in such a short time and how it feel for the first time like I fit in. I experienced things I had never done in my life this weekend. I went to a Japanese restuarant. That was so neat to watch them cook in front of us. I even went to a place and sat on a bar stool! Each time I kept thinking I can't do this, or I won't fit there. When I do, I'm shocked! When I run around and don't get tired. I had one of the best times going to the ASBS, just meeting some of the best surgeons in the world. It's the neatest thing to shake so many hands and know those hands have literally saved thousands of lives.
There is no way to describe just how much my life has changed. I feel like I'm now a member of society again. To me I've reached my greatest goal, I feel "normal".
I got to meet one of my best friends in the whole world Miss Doxiemom! We had an awesome time at Disney. It was a great experience to spend my emotional moment with her by my side.
Gigi, Daysi and Kymberlee are simply beautiful women and spirits.
I loved meeting SherryLee and Dee. They were so much fun and also very sweet ladies. I had a wonderful time meeting all of you this weekend and can't wait to see you again!
Me in front of the Disney Castle! I made it!

Kenneth and I out to eat at TGIF

Monica announcing my 300 pound loss! I was the biggest loser!
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June 17 2005
on June 17, 2005 12:00 am
Today I was in the middle of working and my mom said I had some mail. I stopped what I was doing to go get the mail. It was a card. The address was to my maiden name. I couldn't figure out who would be sending me something in that name. The return name and address was not something I knew, so I opened it.
It was a beautiful card from with the following put on it.
Front
Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue consistently ~ Maya Angelou~
Inside
Wishing you the strength to meet the challenges you are facing and the courage to live each day to the fullest you possibly can.

Then this was personally wrote:

"Amy,
You may be wondering why you are getting this card. I know you probably don't remember me but I went to high school with you. I saw your story on some t.v.show, I don't even know the name. I can imagine things have been tough for you and I am sure I wasn't as nice to you as I should have been back then. I was inspired by your determination and courage and felt like I should let you know. I know God has a plan for your life and I hope you let Him use you. I wish you luck in your journey. You should be very proud of yourself. Keep up the good work! All the best to you and your husband. God Bless you." When I read this it just really touched my heart for someone I went to school with to take the time to contact me and it made me feel good just knowing that it impacted someone in this manner. This was just like a weight lifted off me. I don't know how to explain how much this helped me. This whole experience of being on MTV and having WLS has changed how I feel about myself and others. I never regret all I've done. Knowing this I feel I can go to sleep even more tonight just knowing that I did make a difference. So it's been all worth it.
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June 2 2005
on June 2, 2005 12:00 am

This past January was my 10 year anniversary. At the time we didn't have much money, so we didn't do much for our anniversary. That's not a problem to me, it's never been about material items. It's spending time together that makes things more memoriable. Today we were out shopping around and Kenneth said, come look at this. So I go over and he's showing me some very pretty wedding sets. He pointed to some. I just pointed to this one that caught my eye and he asked for someone to come help us. So they took the ring out and it was beautiful. Kenneth said you should try it on. I told him that nothing ever fits from the case. I've always had to get things sized. The smallest ring size I can remember was an 8. She told us it was a size 7, I tried it on. WOW it fit! I've never wore this small of a size. Kenneth saw the expression on my face, I was actually more excited it FIT! Next thing I knew is he saked, do you like it and I said love it. So the told the lady "we'll take it". He said "Happy Anniversary, you deserve it". Kenneth and I are like two new people. The changes have been so remarkable. Seriously how things in my life are would not have been possible without having had WLS. I can't thank God enough for my second chance.
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