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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!


September 27 2005
on September 27, 2005 12:00 am

I can't believe it's been 16 months already. My life is completely different and I would have never imagined that what I'm doing now is something I would be doing. I don't think I can be more thankful to my surgeon for giving me a chance to live the life I was only dreaming of having. There are so many things in life that I've missed out on because of my weight, now I feel like I can take on the world again. Nothing will get me down.
Some amazing things have happened in just the last month. My father became very sick while on his job in Mass. Kenneth and I quickly decided to go up there when things seemed to have gotten worse. It still amazes me that I was able to do what I did to help out. I don't think now a second about walking place, sitting places. Before I would literally have anxiety attacks just thinking about things like where I would be able to sit, how far is it to walk, do they have chairs without arms, what about the bathrooms... The questions would kill me, and I would just feel better staying in my own little safe haven, my home. It just became much easier for my husband to go out to get me anything I needed and not having to deal with other people. Now I enjoy talking with other people, I'm more able to speak up about things and keep my head held high. It's something I found very hard to do before. It became so much easier to not have to face life in general. In hind site basically I was suffer from a great depression that I didn't fully understand or want to understand. My world just became a place that I felt comfortable in. Even though I was so large, I wish now I had been more active in life. I pushed life away. It was a very lonely time for me any person should not have to feel they cannot have happiness. We all deserve it. I'm happy to say I've found mine. I have a wonderful job, a great husband, and now a new place to live, my health has improved so much. Just these past few weeks of packing I can see how life has changed. I can pack and not get tired. It feels good to clean the house and be able to help my parents. I just can believe in my mind that I've lost 322 pounds, I look at myself in the mirror and really can't believe how different I really do look. Kenneth and I will be moving this next week and the excitement of having got my life back has me so overwhelmed that I can't even express how much it means to have my own place again and my life back!
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September 24 2005
on September 24, 2005 12:00 am
 
 
Kenneth and I went to the Walk From Obesity in Columbia, Sc. I was there to represent Obesityhelp. It was great meeting those who came. It was the first time they had this location. It seemed to go by to quickly, but I had a blast meeting everyone. They had an ambulance there, they specialize in being able to transport patients up to 1600 pounds. It was really neat to be able to see how they manage being able to get someone in an ambulance of this size. We then went back home and signed our lease for our new place so it's official! I'm so excited about moving. It's going to be great!
Here's some photos from the walk.
Click here
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September 22 2005
on September 22, 2005 12:00 am
Well in light of my parents coming back home, Kenneth and I have decided to take the plunge and get our own little place. We've found a place about 5 miles from my parents house. It's a two bedroom and 1 bath. Nice size kitchen, living room and dining room. I'm excited about having a place or our own again. It's been so long since I've been able to get out on my own and it's honestly thanks to weight loss surgery. It gave me the chance to get back into the work force and now I can pay for a place to live. It really feels good. I'm sure most everyone knows what it's like to feel like you have something of your own. It feels so good. i'm very excited about moving. We move in after the first of October. It's not far away now. This weekend is the "walk from obesity". I'm going to be going to the one that's in Columbia, Sc. This will be my first walk and I never thought I'd be doing something like this.

I had a great time this past weekend visiting with some old friends from the Georgia Obesityhelp board. Everyone looked great. Here's some photos from the get together.
Click here
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September 13 2005
on September 13, 2005 12:00 am
I'm now back home, have been since Sunday early morning. My dad's surgery went well. He came out just fine. They ended up doing a biopsy on him while in there. There was something that didn't look right. My dad's biopsy from surgery came back today, he's got cancer again. They are unsure what stage, what treatments and really how large it is at this point. He's still got an open wound so radiation will be out for sometime. They are going to be releasing him to come home tomorrow. They feel he's ok to travel now and they want him to get to Georgia and right into the surgeon down here. It sounds as through they will have to re-open him again possibly to remove it. He's very upset as I'm sure you can imagine and doesn't understand why they didn't get it while in there this time. I will keep you all updated on what's happening next.
My parents are going to be leaving Mass probably tomorrow to get home and see what's the next step.
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September 8 2005
on September 8, 2005 12:00 am
First, I wanted to thank all of you for being very supportive to me during this time. It's been very stressful on me and my whole family. Earlier today the plan was to come home to Georgia. We got to the hospital and the surgeon will not be releasing him to leave. He said that they need to get him into surgery. He's going to be having surgery tomorrow. Basically it's an exploratory surgery because he can't see from the Cat Scan what the blockage is and where it is. The surgeon seems to lead on that he believes my fathers cancer has come back in this area. We should know some clear answers tomorrow. He's also got a huge hernia that needs repairing, they are not sure it's going to be possible with not much muscle wall still in tact. Lots of unanswered questions here. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers tomorrow. He didn't do well with this other open surgery with healing and we fear he won't make it through this surgery.
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September 5 2005
on September 5, 2005 12:00 am
I know it's been a little while since I posted or anything.

I've been dealing with a lot lately and could use some good vibes. My father is very ill. Kenneth and I had to come up to Springfield, Mass because he's currently in ICU. I'm very scared and worried. He had a colonostomy over 2 years ago because of colon cancer. It appears just like with the open surgeries we have that he's basically at risk like most of us to hernias and intestinal blockages. It appears that my dad as a blockage. According to the cat scan this is what it is and the bowel is now kinked. He's been unable to keep food or water down. They now have him on TPN to get any nutrients into his body. His kidneys are not operating like they should. It seems some of his body is shutting down. They have tried to do a proceedure to suck the bowel out and see if it will decompress and kind of un-kink. At this point with the newest cat scan they are talking having to open him up again. This really has out family worried because my dad didn't do well with the first surgery. It was a very long recovery and as like the open style surgeries most of us are familar with he developed an open wound last time. I feel inside myself that ths surgery will be what's going to be the answer. He's also got a very very large hernia which might also be the reason for the blockage. This point in time we don't have the answers on this and are still waiting. My parents plan on coming back home if surgery is for sure, as I'm sure it's going to be. Right now we are all going day by day to see what happens next. No answers really. Will keep you all informed. If any of you are in the Springfield area please let me know, we are currently at Mercy Hospital. Drop me an email. Your good vibes and prayers are appreciated
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