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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It's been 11 months! on April 28, 2005 12:00 am
Well my 11 months has come and gone! I've been so busy working that I've lost track of time. I'm now down 277 pounds! I can't hardly believe it. When I think of my next goal of just being under 310 I can't believe how close that is now. I don't know what to think about that. I keep expecting my weight loss to stop. It's kind of like a dream when I step on the scale and continue to see it go down! My actual next goal is to be 319. That's only 18 pounds away! Once I get to that mark I will no longer be "morbidly obese", just severely! I'll take that over being where I started out "super morbidly obese." So many exciting things are happening in my life. I love my job, it keeps me very focused and it's something to do, something I enjoy. I feel honored that I've been asked to be a guest speaker in New Jersey for Obesityhelp. I've never done ANYTHING like this in my life. It's something I want to do because I do want other people to know life is worth living and no matter what your lowest point you can get out of it. I know because I've lived it. I'm only 28 years old and basically 27 of those years were filled with many bouts of unhappiness. I struggled very hard growing up, I wished half the time that I would die, and then to go to school I would make up feeling sick so I wouldn't have to go. It was pure hell. I look back on things now through and I understand. Those people who picked on me made me stronger. I now know that I don't have to please anyone else, it's about pleasing myself. My true happiness comes from knowing that those who put me through that hell will never have the heart that I have. Did those people make me mad? Yes... What it made me realize is I didn't want to be like them, hateful. So that experience defined me. I am who I am because I had wonderful examples in my life, the Lord, my parents and my loving husband. Just knowing I had all those as my supportive rock is what got me through.
Something that's been most uplifting in this journey so far is the compassion from complete strangers. I came in the depths of dispair to support sites for WLS and those people didn't even know me, for those people to take the time to help me, it's something I can never forget or repay. I guess that's why I continue to be active in the WLS community, just giving back is my greatest reward.
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April 17 2005 on April 17, 2005 12:00 am
I'm now just a week into my new job promotion and things are going awesome. I totally love it. Kenneth did something so sweet for me. We've been talking about it for sometime now and it's a reality. He said because of my promotion, and all the weight I've lost I needed something as a reward. He got me a new CAR! It's a Ford Taurus. It's so nice to drive and so easy to handle. I think the funniest thing was when we went for the test drive. The policy is the sales person is to drive it off the lot, so anyhow Kenneth got in the front and here I am stressing majorly. I think to myself I can't fit in that back seat. So I tried it. My amazement I fit!! The seat belt fit, no problems. I was just sitting all alone in the back seat having that wls moment, it made me feel so good! I'm now happy to say I've lost 275 pounds! It's unbelieveable. I never thought I'd be able to even fit behind a wheel again, it's so nice to be able to go jump in the car and go again.
Saying Goodbye is never easy! on April 12, 2005 12:00 am
Monday was Kenneth's appointment to see Dr. Martindale. I was very sad because this is the last time I will see him in some time. He's leaving for Portland in the next few weeks. Makes me pretty sad. Dr. M came into the room and he was really happy with Kenneth's loss, he's down 57 pounds in four weeks! I told Dr. M I would miss him dearly. Then I said I've got something for you. I said, "I've lost 272 pounds" and he smiles. I could see from the look on his face that this meant a lot to him. It was a priceless moment. I then gave him a heart shaped box and said " Every pound I've lost I'm giving you a kiss back". The box had kisses in it. I've kissed those pounds away. I guess what made the moment easier is when he told us that he already had two patients waiting for him in Portland. The surgeon's he's going to be working with have two men waiting for his help. One's 750 pounds and the other is over 800. That put a smile on my face because he's going to be helping them. I told him it was really a shame that more surgeon's don't take on the larger patients. He's truly a blessing.
April 10 2005 on April 10, 2005 12:00 am
I know that many of us say that this surgery has changed our life and for many of us it has changed in a big and different degree. I tell you almost 11 months ago I could NEVER have imagined my life would be this way. The most exciting thing happened to me today. I laughed, I cried, I wanted to run all over the neighbourhood yelling. Just a little over a week ago I was informed that my current job was needing a manager in our department. (I'm only part time right now) I thought hard about applying, then I realized that for this position they wanted someone with a BA degree, I said awe what the heck, so I applied.... Today I get a phone call.... They want me to be placed in the supervisor position for a three month "interim". He said they felt confident in my work and how I've being working with them so far. Basically wanting to see if I can handle this job. Anyhow all I can say is I'm very excited. This is my first full time job like this in a few years. I use to be a sales manager. Kenneth and I use to own our own business, so the experience was there, just no degree :( I can't believe this has happened to me. This is my dream job!!
I was so low, so depressed over a year ago. There were days I never thought I'd get my life back. Now I've been given this wonderful new chance at life. I feel normal again. I feel so good about things in my life right now, I just NEVER imagined this would happen for me. I kept pushing myself to do the best I could and it's paid off. All I can say is don't ever give up on your dreams. I wanted to so many times and now I have my life back.
Had it not been for the love and supportive I've got from the support sites that I'm on, I know I probably would have give up. People lifted me up while I was down, and I can never thank everyone enough for what they have done for me or what my surgeon did.
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April 6 2005 on April 6, 2005 12:00 am
Finally, under 350!!
I was so shocked when I got on the scale and found I'm now 349! I NEVER in my wildest dreams thought I'd be down this much. It's something I don't believe. I catch myself looking at my reflection in a buildings glass and keep wondering who is that?? I got a pants set recently and thought, oh that's not going to fit. I tried it on this past week and it fit perfectly, actually the top was too large. I loved it through, I've never had something dressy like this. 10 years ago it was so hard to find dressy clothes in larger sizes. I would have the same problem with shoes. Today I put on my 13W dress shoes and they were falling off. We had to make an emergency pit stop to get some shoes before my support meeting. I was thrilled when I could get an 11W! Not to meantion they are the type of shoe that are narrow in the top part of your foot. I've NEVER been able to wear a shoes like this. I was trying all the shoes on and didn't want to leave! Kenneth had to pull me away. Just for fun I slipped on a heel to see how it looked on one foot. I'm thankful EVERYDAY I had this surgery. My life is as different as night and day. People tell me all the time they don't know who I am, I look completely different and feel like I whole new person.
Kenneth's been also doing VERY good. I'm very proud of him, he's down 50pounds in 3 weeks! I'm watching him melt and we are both celebrating our weight loss together. The surgery has made us even closer. He now knows and understands how I've felt, just one of those things you can't explain to someone pre-op, etc.
I've been working a lot lately with my new job. I absolutely LOVE my job. Right now it's a part time job, but I've been putting a lot into it cause it doesn't seem like I'm working when I am. Thanks for those of you who have asked about Kenneth and I.
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