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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!


November 28 2005
on November 28, 2005 12:00 am
This has been a very long and week. It started on Friday the 18th. My mother in law had a stroke. She lost her memory when the stroke happened. She has been in the hospital up until today. She's not in her right mind since the stroke, she is able to make a conversation, but can't really do things she needs to. She was at a rehab facility up until today when she signed out under and AMA with her husband. Both Kenneth and I didn't agree that she should leave and none of the doctors said it was a good idea. I know if she was in her right mind she would never have left. This tells me a lot that she's not right. We've come to the conclusion we can't sit here and worry about it her going home, even through we know it was a bad choice to do so. She can't care for herself and it will be a lot on her husband. My weight loss is holding right now, this month I didn't seem to lose anything. I know a lot of that is because I've had my legs down especially in the last couple of days from being at the hospital every day. I've also been working out more at our home GYM so I know I've gained muscle. I've lost inches. I know this because I'm not able to wear a X-Large. I can't even believe that myself. The other day I thought I've try on an X-Large shirt and it fit!! I've gone crazy buying clothing. It's weird to still have to shop for plus size clothing for my bottom, but the top is not. I feel pretty normal overall. Kenneth and I are doing great. I couldn't be happier with my results. I don't look forward to any more surgery, but I know that's going to come. The hernia is showing more as I lose. It's not in a condition of needing a repair, I'm trying to hold off until I feel I'm ready for my tummy tuck. I don't even look forward to that really. It would be nice and I know I'd lose pants sizes getting that fixed, but just don't want to go through all that and miss work. We will see in a few more months how I feel then. I'm waiting for my weight to become more stable. Thanksgiving was great, even through it was spent in the hospital we were just thankful Ken's mom is still alive after her stroke.
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December 11 2005
on November 11, 2005 12:00 am
How in the world do you describe to anyone who's not walked in your shoes the feeling you get when you can live again? I can't even begin to explain how some of the smallest things to people that do them daily mean so much to someone. The things we often take for granted. People who struggle with putting on their shoes, can't fit behind a steering wheel, can't walk, can't get a simple shower or bath, can't walk to their own mail box. I look back many months ago now and think to myself, that was ME! I call myself crazy for wanting to get up and down in the bathtub. Just to say I can do it. Just to see I can fit. Going to church and being able to sit in a normal chair again and not feel the seat digging into your leg or thinking you might break this chair. Knowing I can walk to any store I want to and not be winded or wonder where the heck am I going to sit down once I'm there. Going out to eat and praying they have chairs without arms or something you might not break. What a relief to not stress over and over about these things. I think back on things and I'm reminded all the time what life has to offer and I'm so happy to have been given my new chance. I was thinking just the other day, wow. My one leg use to be 60 inches around, it's truly a miracle to be able to walk again!
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November 11 2005
on November 11, 2005 12:00 am
Life has been so busy lately. I've been working so hard. I really don't believe my job is a job half of the time. It does take a lot of my time, but it's more of a passion. I don't think everyone realizes what being able to work means to someone like me. It's just the feeling of being able to take care of things and helping others in the process. I really couldn't ask for a better job. I feel lucky that I'm able to really do a job I feel passionate about. I do try to make sure to find time for myself, but once the day is over it's pretty late sometimes. I've been trying to balance my life and my job better. It's starting to work better. Just having the house straight and unpacked has really helped. Kenneth's Birthday is coming up Thursday. I'm so excited that he's healthier now and that I'm able to do things with him. We are going to be going out for his birthday. I'm looking forward to getting out with family. This Thursday is my support meeting. It's always exciting when the time comes to have the meeting. The past few months we've not had as many show up. I think it's got to do with the school starting, and then summer. I hope we will start having more show up.
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November 5 2005
on November 5, 2005 12:00 am
I've been busy today organizing the house better. I went through some clothing I've been saving since I got them last year. It was some new pairs of pants. Once pair is a size 22. They are not stretchy either. I decided to give them a try on, along with some 24 jeans that didn't fit me just a few months back. What the most wonderful feeling that they did fit! I had to go look in the mirror, when I hold up my pants to fold them I remember back to what it was like to fold my 9x pants. I can't hardly believe that these are my new pants. They seem like I'm folding up someone elses clothing. Really hard for your head to catch up in all of this. It's really weird to sit and admire yourself in the mirror. The other night I went shoe shopping. I brought a pair of heels and some boots. I was just so shocked when I was able to wear them. The heels are not those thin ones, but I've never had a pair in my life. I couldn't believe how normal I felt. Something as simple as buying shoes just makes me so happy. I also found an X-large Christmas vest while going through my stuff, to my surprise it fit also. I continue to be blown away with how much things in my life are different. I couldn't be happier!
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