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.
Latest Surgery Support Comments
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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
-
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
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January 28 2006 on January 28, 2006 12:00 am
Today it's 351 pounds I've lost and it's been exactly 20 months post RNY. My life has complete changed, I know I will never be the same person again. Many people would say I've been through a lot and I do agree, but I'm a firm believer that we are all given burdens or trials in our life to overcome. This has been one of my biggest battles since I was age 8 and it feels good for once in my life that I'M IN CONTROL. The surgery to many people is a wake up call and for me that's exactly what it did. My portion control was WAY out of hand and thanks to this surgery it's become a realization that I DID HAVE A PROBLEM. I was also not educated enough in understanding what my body needed. There is not one day that doesn't pass by that I'm thankful I had this surgery, just over 20 months ago I was in the depths of depression/dispair/hopelessness. There were so many times I wanted to just give up. It was easier to give up. Often times I would pray at night that I would not wake up again, I was living a life to me that was in no other term was HELL. My family was going out having fun, doing things and here I was wasting away behind my "safehaven" (my home). I was afraid to face people and made up many excuses not to be involved in living. Then one day I realized I wasn't making up excuses anymore, I had literally become this over 600 pound homebound person, who was now trapped in a body I had made. All because my depression took over me, I had reasons to live, but it became easier to push life/stress away, so food and being a hermit became who I was. To be honest I was happy at this point because I didn't have to face my problems or people. It had become so much easier to sit there and not have to face these things. I was to one point happy with where I was, but on the other hand unhappy because my life was no more beyond those 4 walls. I wanted to be part of living again. So I took charge and for the many months following up to getting my surgery that was night and day my constant goal. I did everything I could think of to get to the point of being able to live again. I'm just so happy to say that I'm able now from this surgery to do just that. I have a job I LOVE, I can walk to my mailbox again, I can drive a car, I can walk to any store I want to, I can buy clothes again (not from speciality stores), I can clean my house, just to get up from the couch and not feel like I'm dying! My relationship with my husband is out of this world, we are so in love even more than the day we met 11 year ago. It's truly a miracle what's happened in my life. My words of wisdom to anyone who is struggling to lose any weight is NEVER give up. I could have so easily done so, but I didn't. I got the goal in mind and I did it. I've done it. My goal was to be heathly, active and living life. So that one goal has been met. I've got many more goals in my life I want to accomplish and now I know I WILL.
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January 4 2006 on January 4, 2006 12:00 am
Well it's very hard to believe that Kenneth and I have been married now for 11 years. Many people so many years ago told us it would never last. As with any marriages we've have ups and downs. We've made it through all of them. We will continue to make it through them. Kenneth and I are just as much in love as the day we meet and our love has grown ten fold! He's my hero. Kenneth got me the most beautiful butterfly necklace to match the earrings my parents got me for my birthday. I'm spoiled, I know it! We had a great day together. We went to see a romantic movie. I thought it was a wonderful movie. We saw... Memoirs of a Geisha... That's the one thing about Kenneth he's always been the type of person open to everything. I didn't think he would like this movie. We both loved it. I recommend it to everyone! The ending made me teary eyed. We then went out for a late night dinner at Ruby Tuesdays. Had a blast. We've had some amazing years and it's so exciting because we've only just begun!
Kenneth and I having some fun :0)
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