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Surgeon Testimonial

Michael A. Todd, M.D., F.A.C.S.
My first impression of Dr. Todd was that he was a very caring man giving a lot to those of us who get shunned and ignored so often.

His office staff has been very knowledgeable.

Dr. Todd is very charismatic and caring. I've seen him for two appointments and love his stories. He makes you feel completely at ease; but challenges you with impromptu questions about this surgery and why you want to have it.

Dr. Searles is very professional but a bit shy. He was my primary surgeon and did a great job. Although he seems shyer than Dr. Todd, he seems very caring and extremely knowledgeable.

Dr. Bogojavlensky assisted with my surgery and seems very knowledgeable. I've not had an actual appointment with Dr. Bogo so my assessment is only from seeing him in the hospital.

The biggest frustration is that my appointments haven't been close to being on time (at least an hour late two of the times). I don't mind a doctor running late as long as I feel I'm not being rushed through; and I've never felt rushed through an appointment. It would just be nice to be called and told to come in an hour later rather than sit in the office waiting.
Member Interests
  • Books & Literature - I love reading a good book!
  • Teaching - I enjoy training new co-workers-seeing the "lightbulb go on"
  • Quilting - I've started several quilts but have never finished one - just a beginner
  • Tattoo - I'm fascinated by tattoos - I have a couple and will get a few more!
  • E-Bay - I'm an E-bay "junkie" - but I go in spurts a few weeks on and a few off!
  • Air Force - I've been "Married to the Military" for 20 years

Latest Surgery Support Comments

  • Comment by swangirl on 4/14/06 3:28 pm
    Congratulations on your success and best wishes for the future!
  • Comment by Maria Finan on 7/16/05 7:33 pm
    I was able to come home on the afternoon of 7 July. I did have a G-Tube (I had Open RNY) and had the tube removed on 14 July. I'm doing great and am down 21 pounds (8 pounds on the pre-surgery diet and 13 since my surgery on 5 July). Thanks for all the well wishes.
  • Comment by Maria Finan on 7/6/05 5:09 pm
    Update. Maria saw the Doctor today and he is very pleased with her progress. She's up and walking around and now on oral meds. She's getting stronger by the minute. I've taken pictures so I know she will want to post them later on. Soon, I'll be able to chase her around the house again. :-) Tom
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My Story

Nov 2004 - I've decided to look into weight loss surgery. I'm a 36 year old, mother of 2 teenage boys, and have struggled with my weight most of my life. I've been married for almost 20 years. My husband is career military (Active Duty Air Force) and I work for the Air Force as a civilian. We currently are stationed at Eielson AFB, Alaska (that's close to Fairbanks).

22 Nov 04 - I met with my Primary Care Manager (PCM) and am going to visit the nutritionist in the clinic for 6 months.

9 Dec 04 - I went to see my PCM yesterday for some serious knee pain. I had the ligament reconstructed back in 1992 but the excess weight has taken its toll. The x-ray revealed “loose foreign bodies" so now I'll have an MRI.

12 Jan 05 - Had the knee MRI today - it was an interesting experience. I'm very excited because my hubby gets home tomorrow from Korea (he's been there just over one year).

24 Jan 05 - Results of the MRI are not good (at least 4 loose foreign bodies, severe degenerative arthritis, torn lateral meniscus, and there's no graft material present from my reconstruction). So now I'll be seeing the orthopedic docs.

1 Mar 05 - Met with the ortho docs. They want to go in and "clean out" my knee joint. It's very painful - sometimes those foreign bodies get into a spot where either I can bend my knee or I can't extend it! Surgery scheduled for 23 Mar 05.

15 Mar 05 - Had a wonderful day today - it was my birthday - I'm 37 (but don't feel that old)

23 Mar 05 - Knee surgery went well today. They have a very extensive clean up job (I call it a little "Spring Cleaning"). Those foreign bodies turned out to be pieces of cartilage. Apparently the ends of my bones have severe arthritis and literally cut the cartilage into bits and pieces. They took out the loose bodies, trimmed the torn meniscus, and shaved away part of the deformation caused by the arthritis! Now comes the fun part - physical therapy!

8 Apr 05 - Saw my PCM today and asked for a referral to Dr. Todd in Anchorage for WLS. He put in the referral no problems - Thanks, Dr. Lammers - you're the best. We also went to Dr. Todd's website and downloaded all of the basic testing. Dr. Lammers put orders in for ALL of the tests! Now the fun begins.

11 Apr 05 – Going to the clinic to have blood drawn. Can’t give the urine specimen because I’ve been fasting since midnight and forgot and went to the bathroom when I got up this morning (old habits die hard). Since I can’t drink anything until after the blood is drawn, I’ll be making a trip back tomorrow! They took 5 or 6 vials of blood.

12 Apr 05 – Donated my urine today!

14 Apr 05 – Got scheduled today with Dr. Todd’s office for my orientation and 1st appointment on the 27th and 28th of April – whoo hoo….I can’t believe this train is starting to move.

15 Apr 05 – Going to the hospital today for a mammogram and abdominal ultrasound. The mammogram is not WLS related. My PCM thought he felt a lump during my exam on the 8th so he wants to be cautious. This will be my first mammogram. Later the same day – Holy shit did that mammogram hurt! The abdominal ultrasound went fine (I already had my gallbladder removed so there wasn’t much to see).

18 Apr 05 – Went to the hospital today (left straight from physical therapy) for my Upper GI. When I got there (a 30 mile drive), they said they’d been trying to get a hold of me to re-schedule – WHAT – I’ve been fasting and everything! So, now we’re on for Upper GI on 25 Apr.

More to come.......