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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July 27 2004 on July 27, 2004 12:00 am
My leg is completely healed now from the infection. I'm so happy that it's gone. All the pain is even gone. I had never before getting the cellulitis had much of any pain associated with the lymphedema. I have a lot of dry skin from my leg being put up for all these weeks, but the difference it's already showing is great. I'm starting to be able to tell that I've lost weight again. It's very hard to tell when you leg feels so heavy from the infection and everything else
 .
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July 25 2004 on July 25, 2004 12:00 am
Today I'm feeling so much better. My leg is completely healed now. I do still have a little rash, but that is almost gone. I have so many emails still to answer from doing the show and have been working on going thru those today. I've answered about 100 today and still have over 300 to go. I've gotten so far behind with this infection in my leg. I've just been so tired since getting it, I felt more drained from the infection than I ever did from the surgery. I will need to start therapy again soon. I'm going to try doing it at home. My right leg is very small compared to the left. I'm just glad the pain is gone, I could not believe how intense the pain was or how fast the infection came on. The past few weeks I've not wanted to do anything except just sit around and sleep. I guess that's all part of healing, but I've missed being supportive on all the sites I'm on. It's hard to keep up when you are feeling down. I hope to get back into doing that. I took a recent picture of my face and I can see a difference. I can't wait to get this leg down to see a full body shot. I can feel the weight loss all over and now that I'm feeling better I can feel even more of a difference.
Then and Now
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July 24 2004 on July 24, 2004 12:00 am
I guess you can say good news. My infected leg is almost healed. The pain that was in the back of my leg associated with the infection does not even hurt now. I'm so happy. I'm still battling a slight rash from the previous meds, but it's going away. I'm making sure to take all my meds as directed. It's hard to take so many pills and then be able to eat meals with such a small stomach. I wouldn't change a thing though. I wake up with no pain like before surgery. Every morning I would have back pain, it would be awful pain. Now it's so much easier to get out of bed. I'm still not able to do much around the house like I would like to, but it's getting there. Yesterday I talked with someone I went to school with. It was nice talking with her, her name is Suzanne. Suzanne is a very special person to me. We talked for a good time. I'm so happy for her. She's done so much since our graduation. She's not married yet, but I know something good is instore for her. It was hard for me to tell her what I've been doing, but she was so encouraging to me, like she always was. She said something that meant a lot to me, she said that I had such great values and she's never once forgot about me. We talked about how school effected us and I was surprised to find out she had the same thoughts that I did. It's so different to look back on your life when you are older and see you were not the only one that was alone in this, even the popular people had problems. She said we'd talk again sometime this week. I sure hope so. Lately I've thought a lot about school. I don't know why that is, but I have. This time of year is always hard for me in a way. Someone I went to school with was missing this time of year and it's hard to believe that it's been 10 years now. It's something you will never forget. To know that you knew two of the guys that murdered someone is chilling. To know that you actually talked with these guys. You rode the bus with them, it just all makes me very very ill. July 11th was 10 years that Melanie left us, I will never forget her. She died so young and for what!!??
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July 21 2004 on July 21, 2004 12:00 am
Today I went to meet my new PCP for the first time Dr. Butler. I was quite happy with the family practice building, it just so happens to be in the same building as my surgeon. So I had told Kenneth we would go up there and see if I can weigh. I was very happy to find out my PCP actually has a scale for me. I weighed in at 501. I was not very happy, but considering my leg must have almost 20-30 pounds additional I can't complain. I then met with Dr. Butler for the first time, she was VERY nice. I really was happy that she knew EXACTLY what lymphedema was and how you must treat it. I had developed this AWFUL rash on Sunday night and Monday morning I had called her nurse who told me to stop taking the antibiotic that I was on and get some benadryl, which I did. The rash is still here however. It's not as bad, but it does start to itch. Anyhow she wants me off that and also the percoset. She said it could have been the percoset too. I really didn't think it was being the rash settled down after quitting the antibiotic. So she gave me some new antibiotic to try, also put my on steroids, something for the hives and darvoset if I need it for pain. The pain is really the only thing that's bothering me about my leg right now. The very back of my leg feels like it might explode or something, the pain gets very intense. She really seemed to think that this would do the trick. I don't go back to see her until the end of September, UNLESS this doesn't get better. She patted me on the back about my weight loss so far. That made me feel good, she also knows my surgeon which was a plus for me. They went ahead and took some bloodwork to check my thyroid levels. I got home and there was an email about possibly doing a segment on lymphedema for German TV. I would be so happy to do that, if it spreads the word about Lymphedema. They are going to talk it over and get back to me about possible taping.
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July 14 2004 on July 14, 2004 12:00 am
Well, I ended up gettting released yesterday. They said my legs looks like it's taking well to the oral antibiotics and the insurance would wonder and may not pay because I'm actually in the hospital just taking meds that I could take at home. So they gave us and option, of course we are NOT going to pay out of pocket so I opted to go home. Before we left a couple of interesting things happened. First a long time friend of mine called. She lived across from me for years. Infact where we live now in my parents house her parents are still there. Anyhow the night before Kenneth had told her parents that I was in the hospital and to please watch the house while we where away. They said no problem doing that. So today Amy my old time friend ended up calling the hospital and spoke to Kenneth. I was asleep and the next thing I know is Kenneth said Amy's on her way. Amy and I were very close growing up, but over the years she's had two children and been busy. Which is understandable, life does move on. The last time I had seen Amy was over a year ago. I didn't know how I was going to start to tell her everything! LOL So she arrive and right when she did, this professor came by and was asking me if I would allow him to show and talk about my lymphedema to his med students. I hated to do that with Amy there, but she seemed ok and asked me if I would be ok with her in here. I thought well this would be a good way for her to know what's been going on too. So she stayed and in poured this class of about 25 people all around my bed. It was a good 15-20 minute lecture over my bed. I was happy because he touched so much on lymphedema. They all really seemed to understand it a lot better. It was nice to be able to help educate this upcoming doctors. I felt good about doing it. Hopefully when they get into the field they will remember and help someone else who has this awful disease. I was able to talk and I told them how long I had gone misdiagnosed. It's not any easy thing to put your self on the line to show people your personal things, but again it's all about education. After they left Kenneth had mentioned my website and also told them about being on MTV again this Thursday. A lot of them wrote it down. After the students finally left Amy was like wow you've been thru a lot. I was so happy for her because she too had done something about her weight, last time I saw her she was nearly 300 pounds and she told me she's lost 80, she showed us some pictures. I'm very happy for her. She seemed so much more happier with the loss. You could tell.
After a while Amy left and then the doctors came in to tell us they would be doing the release paperwork and should be about an hour or 2. I was upset cause I had wanted to weigh, so I asked if they had a scale near by. She said she'd look into it. A coupld of minutes later they wheeled this cute little scale in there. I was so happy, I knew though before I even got on there that it was NOT going to be much because my leg swelling is back in the left leg like it was BEFORE I even started my LE treatment, plus with all the added IV fluids I had been getting. So I got on it and was down to 504. That's a little depressingly, but I know it's my leg's weight throwing it off. I must have atleast 20-30 pounds added just in this leg. I tried not to get discouraged. Hopefully by next week when I go see the PCP again my leg will be back down. Wish I'd been able to weigh before all this swelling happened.
By the time we got home I was so tired so I slept and slept. I ended up having to take a percoset last night because the pain was very intense, it worked wonders and helped me to sleep good. The redness seems to have gone down, but the pain level is about a 9. Kenneth is going to have to get a refill on percoset tonight. I only had one dose I brought home incase. I hated to buy them and not use them, but I need pain relief.
You can see the redness from my leg still and see how tight it is with the shine on the bottom of my leg. You can clearly see the difference in the two legs. This redness was all the way up the knee. This is very painful. The other leg that's not infected the skin is very loose.
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July 12 2004 on July 12, 2004 12:00 am
I'm still in the hospital and have no date of release yet.
Friday I had taken a nap when I woke up at 4pm I had something to eat, it was something I've eaten several times. Almost an hour later my meal was still not sitting right and almost felt like I was not digesting it right or something. Next thing I knew is I threw up...UGH! Around 7pm Kenneth called me from work I still felt weird. Right after I got of the phone I started to get very cold, I put on a robe and blanket, I could not stop shaking, my teeth were chattering. I went to lay in our bed and cover up, this AWFUL chill wouldn't stop, my legs where shaking really bad. I ended up calling Kenneth back. I told him I need him to get home and what was happening. He tried leaving as fast as he could and told me to call the ambulance if things get worse. I got off the phone and called my mom, she's a nurse. I told her what was happening and by this time my nails where blue, my feet where freezing. I stayed on the phone for a little while and the shaking backed down. It was almost like having convultions. My mom said you have to call the ambulance. I was fixing to get off the phone to do that, suddenly I needed to go to the bathroom. I told my mom now my left leg is hurting, the first thing that came to mind was BLOOD CLOT. I went back to the bedroom, Kenneth had just walked in the door, He said what is wrong with your leg? I looked down it was BRIGHT red and major pain just suddenly set in. I knew right away what this was from the Lymphedema message boards I'm on. I said Please called Doxie before we leave, he didn't get her so I told him try Christine. I was in so much pain and just needed prayer. (Which I greatly appreciate from all of you, Bless you all) Kenneth was wiping my leg with a cold cloth and steam was literally coming off. We got to the ER and I told them at the desk I have Lymphedema and I know what I have is cellulitis. Lady looked at me weird. I said look and her eyes were huge when she saw just how red my leg was. They rushed me in before everyone else. Once back there unforunately they knew NOTHING about lymphedema, but thankfully did know it was cellulitis. They started an IV. Finally after about 4 hours in the ER triage area they moved me to a room. They drew on my leg to see if it was spreading. It was all like a whirlwind after that. Because of the strength of one of the antibiotics I was constantly throwing up, I was freaking out that I had a striture. This antibiotic is so strong my veins kept collapsing. After 5 IVs and almost 20 sticks later they said well we are going to have to try a PICC line. The doctor then came back and decided not to do it. I'd now been off ANY meds for almost 24 hours! I was getting highly upset. After fighting with the doctors they said we are going to put you on oral meds. (HUGE PILLS) I said fine, I just want this better. During all of this we had several other events, it took them 3 days to move me to a different room. The air was acting up in the old one and the bed was NOT made for my weight so I'm bottoming out nothing like a concrete bed! LOL.... other than that I'm alive and because I was throwing everything up for 2 days I have now become dehydrated. I don't know what tomorrow is going to hold. I feel much better, but my legs is still red and painful. They are growing cultures to see what type infrection this is I should know tomorrow. The cellulitis is a direct effect of my lymphedema. Sorry to make this so long.
One side note... A lady on another site wrote something depressing. I had wrote back to her. Anyhow my surgeon is also at the hospital I'm at now, so I had requested them to let him know I was admitted. He ended up coming to visit me I had an appointment today to see him anyhow. He came up to see me and he said OH you know that lady from India. I knew exactly what he was talking about, he said she emailed. I said Wow she did? He said you know that I do third world mission work, I said right. He said I think she really needs this surgery. I think I'm going to make a trip to see if I can help her. I wanted to cry. When I think about that it makes me very emotional, this lady had no hope and now she might. I know most of us love our surgeons, but I swear this man is certainly a God send.
I hope to be out and about soon.
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July 6 2004 on July 6, 2004 12:00 am
These past couple of days have been so amazing. I've received nearly 1000 emails from people. I can't hardly believe the response that I have had from the MTV show. After sitting her reading and replying to several post I'm just so happy that I did the show. I've received emails from teenagers saying they didn't realize it was hard being this size and had more compassion for people that are large. I've had people write me asking how to get help for Lymphedema, that they know they have. I'm just so overwhelmed with all the people that have signing my guest book and emailed. It's just unreal! The other night Kenneth and I went to Wal-mart and several people came up to talk with me, they were very kind. Asked about the show and how I was doing. I'm very happy that they had previews from the show on Entertainment Tonight. It showed more people about the dangers of Lymphedema and brought more awareness to it. It aired twice so I'm certainly glad of that! Even with the negative from the NY Post I'd do it all over again. Thanks everyone that has emailed me. I will be answering each email so be patient
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July 2 2004 on July 2, 2004 12:00 am
When I saw the show last night I was so worried. I was never really worried things would be done wrong. The producers where always very nice and they wanted to focus on the struggles. I never thought they would skew the show. There has been talk on other message boards that the show was still somewhat biased, but I didn't feel that way. When I look at my self on TV I was so shocked. I never realized how hard it looks like it is for me to get around. It was hard too, but I didn't know it showed like that. I'm glad they focused on Kenneth too, he is such a wonderful man. If I'd not had his support, I honestly don't know how I would have been able to do the surgery. It would have been hard to do alone. He's really one of the main reason my self esteem is so different than in high school. He built me up so much. I read a lot of the post to him last night from OH and here. I know it made him feel good about his self. When the MTV crew was here they where always telling him he was so good to me. He truly is a wonderful husband. It's fixing to be 10 years since we met. We met from a personal ad! Those things do work. It was a blind date. I just knew that he would not like me because I was obese, 310 pounds. He never said a word about my weigh, the first time we met he said he love me. He actually said that before we had even met. We'd talked several times on the phone for HOURS. He loved the person that was inside, he told me my outside beauty was an added plus. I love him dearly. I can't wait to be active like I once was 4 years ago. I miss being able to do things with Kenneth. We still do things, but it's always at home. He gets excited when things change with my body. He's always cheering me on!
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