Marshfield Clinic/Saint Joseph's Hospital Bariatric Center

He has a dry sense of humor. Usually gets right to the point, very business-like. He seems very talented and he's very respected. He has a very helpful and likable nurse. Not the best bedside manner.

Dr. Pitchford is a soft spoken, matter-of-fact surgeon. I first met him at an informational group meeting and though his presentation was very thorough I had a lot of questions. I felt like he listened to each one and had no hesitation answering anything - even the questions about morbidity and mortality rates. The only complaint I have is that when I had my initial consultation with him he was very late for the appointment and seemed to rush through my appointment. He did stress that this surgery was not an \"easy way\" out and I should only think of it as a last resort. I did get all of my questions answered eventually by his office staff. Speaking of his office staff - they are wonderful. Sue, his nurse, is VERY kind and patient with my many, many questions. I'm still waiting for insurance approval, but Dr. Pitchford's staff has been just great at getting the additional information required by my insurance company. Bonnie is my contact in patient services (the area that is faxing and coordinating all my information) and she has been very patient with my many phone calls and questions!

Dr Pitchford is a really nice guy he is very tell it like it is, he is someone who deals well with someone with a food addiction becuse he makes you feel like, he won't let you munipulate him, or pull the wool over his eyes!! rnHis nurse Sue is really nice as well and she is very helpful with any questions if Dr.Pitchford is not available rnrnNov 2006 Oh my God have things ever change I am inserting a copy of the letter I emailed the marshfiled clinic nurse liason which is where you make complaints and then I will show the one I emailed to a laywer rnrnThis is the one I sent to the lawyer rnrnthank you so much for your reply, I just wanted to tell the entire thing just in case there was something I did not see....There was way more to the story but that was the summed up version of it, After Sept 1st when I was let out of the hospital I told everyone who would listen that I was having sever pain and problems 2-3 days later I went to the ER because of the swelling a doctor there said no your fine, then days later I went to the surgeon to have my staples out and when I was there and he was taking them out I sprung a leak he said not to worry sometimes there is leftover fluid I said ok no problem, then 3 days later while I was sleeping a hole bunch of fluid came pouring out I called the surgeon scared he said not to worry just start anti B's and you'll be fine. then one week later the hole where the fluid was coming from closed and the horrible pain started again I called the surgeon and begged him to open the hole, he said no I would get infection, I waited 3 days later until the pressure from the fluid was overwhelming I called the on call doctor he said tell my surgeon to to have me come in the very next day and to drain the spot by syringe or cutting open, when I called the doctor said no ad I would be fine. One day later I went to my regular doctor and told her how bad I was she called my doctor and said I needed to be seen my white blood count was 11.4 and I was in sever pain they told her NO!! and they would see me on wed this was a Monday. My Doctor was very frustrated and said she would prescribe pain meds to help and call if I needed I went to my surgeon days later and he said they do not worry unless it is over 12 I said won't they do any test just to make sure something is no wrong and also I had a lump in my stomach they said it was scar tissue and I said no because something is wrong it hurts and I can move it. I begged for them to put a needle in if nothing else his PA finally said he would but he would not out the needle in the bump I said I would take anything he sucked only a small amount they said they were doing diagnostic testing only not to relieve pressure I left in tears again. I waited one more week and is still was hurting finally I called again and they said that he was out of town I had to wait it would get better. So then the following week it hurt so bad I could barely stand up and the pain was unbearable, And the small tennis ball lump was the size of half of a football. I went in he stuck a needle in the lump and pulled out stuff that looked like beef stew and stunk like rotting dead deer, he mad the comment that he cannot believe they missed this I replied that he did no test and that is how it happened after that is when he puts the tubes in and those irritated it, (this was on a Monday) on Tuesday I felt not so good and then on Wednesday I called and said that I was in much more pain and wanted to know what to do, his nurse sues said she would run it by him and have him call me I never heard back later that night the sutures had started to cut into my skin because of the swelling, I called at 8 am that morning and said what had happened and the tubes irritated it so much and I am in so much pain pleases help. Dr Pitchford called later that and started yelling at me saying \"Why did you take those sutures out, you just bought yourself emergency surgery and that if I wanted to interrupt my therapy I should call next time, I was so shocked, he then said that I would need to come in and have a cat scan and that I would have the surgery so I should pack clothes. He then paused and said first I will see you in my office first. I was going up there and because I was crying so bad I decided to write a not to read to him because e was so mean. When I got there I told him that I called the day before and nobody had called me back and that I was in server pain and I wanted him to start thinking of my comfort. He looked at me like I was wasting his time he just said ok. He said I have to examine the are first so, he got on gloves I quickly said \"Will you numb the area first \" he no I cannot I was shocked he pulled the tubes out fast and even that hurt bad I laid there while he took a cotton swab and pushed around in there and cleaned it out, When I saw him getting the peroxide to pour into it , I put my hand up motioning to stop , and said Please no more I cannot take it , he said Richette get yourself together I sad I am so sorry I cannot take anymore, He said if you need someone to hold your hand I will call my nurse I said No I am sorry but, I cannot do it I can't take anymore he then looked at me and said \"Richette suck it up\" I was floored at that point I just laid there and cried. He had stopped talking to me and started only looking at my husband, he told my husband to clean the area like this and that, my husband said ooh clean it this way and that way , Dr Pitchford said yeah right I'll show you again, I looked at him and said Please don't he never even looked at me when I said that. When we left I was so upset I went to see my doctor and told her she said H could have numbed it and I needed to make a complaint and did I sign a waiver saying that he could do it without pain med's I said no she did some test to make sure the fluid had not spread and said she would help find another surgeon for me. My regular Dr (Sandra Packard PA) called the next day I told her I was not sure why I was so upset and I could not believe how this was affecting me she said it was trauma and most people who feel victimized get like this do to other traumatic things in there past. rn rnThank you so much for reading and please let me know if there is anything I am so upset and hurt rnrnrnThis is the one I sent to marshfield clinic rnrn would first like to ask that this be discussed with me first before the doctor mentioned...I had a RYN done by Dr Pitchford on Aug 29 2006, I had alot of swelling and would call and tell them and also that I had a low grade temp and overall was not doing good, five weeks into this I still had problems. Two weeks ago Wed I called and talk to Sue and she said Dr pitchford was not in and that it was still a waiting game I said ok and that I was in a little mre pain this time but, I would wait (he was out of town) I called the fooling Monday (last week) and said I was worse and would need someone right away I called at 8am she called back at 10 or so and said the Dr said to come in at 11:30 I did and when I was there they realized the swelling had developed into infection he cut a 1-2 inch opening for it to drain and put in two rubber hoses he said that I would feel better right away and everything now should be fine. I called back on Wednesday two times the first was to talk to Sue about the FMLA paperwork and that the pain was getting worse,the second time a few hours later was to tell her that the area was very bad and swelling and hurt really bad she said she would run it by the doctor and call back. I had no return phone call thursday morning I called and said that the swelling at night was so bad and sore and It hurt so bad I could not move, and that the thread that he sewed the tubes with was cutting into my skin and that I had cut the three threads because it was so painful. Soon after Dr.Pitchford called me back and said right away \"Why did you take them out\" I could hear in his voice he was angry I told him that they were painful and I did not know what to do. I was in such shock from the tone I forgot to say that I had called the day b4 and no one called me back. Then he said \"you just bought yoursef emeregency surgery,and next time I need to call if I am going to interrupt my therepy I told him that I was sorry but that something was not right with the tubes, he had mentioned me having a cat scan but then said to pack clothes because I would most likely have surgery I said ok and had started to cry and said ok goodbye he said nothing and hung up. I was a little nervous to see him but, I decided to wright a note and tell him that I did call b4 I interrupted therpy and no one called me back and that I am so sore in my belly nd in so much pain that I would choose being open back up again over having someone poke around. When I got there I read this to him and he said nothing I asked if he could numb the area he said no he began putting a cotton swab into the are and moving it around I was saying ouch please that hurts so bad It is so sore and please stop. He came back again with more and a cup of hydrogen peroxide I told hi No I could not take the pain anymore and he said Richette get yourself together I said \"no it just hurts to bad\" then he said I cannot help you if you do not let me do this I said ok no problem,because I just cannot take the pain, then he replied \"Suck it up\" I could not believe he said that my husband grabbed my hand and comforted me and said it is ok do not worry I am right here, and then Dr Pitchford did it anyway. after that he did that 3 more times and then started looking right at my husband and never looked at me again the Dr said this is how you do it and my husband said ok i just put the cotton swab in and go to the left and Dr P said yeah I will show you again I was mortified I could not believe that he acted like I was just a body like I did not matter and more then anything like I am just waisting his time. I was so terrified I went to my regular physician after and was sobbing and crying and told her what had just happened and the things he had said to me that she was shocked and she said first he could have numbed it and second when a patient says stop that the doctor must stop and she said what he did was illeagal and I should make a complaint. I tried calling on Monday because Friday still I was so frightend I was not sure why and scared and I kept saying that I did not want to ever see his face again and I was too scared too complain and I thought If I do he will just hurt me again or call and yell at me again. I now find myself against a wall because I cannot see any new surgeons because they say they will not touch another doctors work, and feel like I am at your mercy now and that Dr Pitchford will find out and just treat me badly again or I will have to see someone in his practice and he will tell them bad things about me and they will treat me badly. Please I am asking that someone call me regaurding all that I have mentioned here, but call me first so that I can prepare for this I do not want the Dr to call I am really scared and nervous and even this letter took alot to type out rnrnrnNeedless to say after seeing the other surgeon Marshfeild clinic has not called me back to follow up after I had to call them 3 seeks ago to ask what was going on and the only thing she said was her kids were sick and the doctor was not in so she could not contact him and then she said that someone did say that when I did not show up for my appointment they overheard him say \"Oh she must be mad at me\" Yeah I am not telling anyone what to do but you can feel free to read my ad and choose for yourself, I never asked for anyone to kiss my toosh or suck up to me I just asked for commomn decency rnrnI am hoping to balance my negative comments with those that might be positive or neutral, b) explicitly state that these were just my personal impressions of your own personal experience and that I am making no statements about what other people may experience.

Dr. Pitchford seems very sympathetic to our disease. His office staff is very helpful and supportive. He seems very conscientious about the entire process and making sure you understand what is needed and how important it is to follow the program he has outlined before and after surgery. He goes in depth much more thoroughly about the risks and procedure than the first surgeon I went to see. He is a great doctor and I would recommend him to anyone.

Dr. Tim is quiet, and very business like. His nurse Sue is very nice and helpful. The clinic staff was extremely helpful with all my crazy questions!

My first impression of Dr. Pitchford was that he was an open and honest guy. I asked some tough questions during the group information meeting such as..."What is your personal death rate for surgeries performed?" He answered my questions completely and honestly. He not only gave me the statistics but also told me why he lost those patients. I was grateful for his honesty in his answers. His assistant is an absolute blessing. She knows all the ins and outs of what needs to be done to get this surgery covered by insurance. Easy to talk to and very willing to help. Dr. Pitchford is not a talker! You have to ask questions and then he will answer them with total honesty. He wants to know any risks you have ahead of time. He expects you to lay your cards on the table so that he knows what he is getting into and can be better prepared for it. He told a story of a patient he lost to a blood clot after surgery. The patient had not disclosed his family history of blood clots. I can't stress enough for all of you to be totally honest with your surgeons. The death of the patient who died due to throwing a clot could have possibly been avoided. Had the surgeon know he would have put him on a blood thinner as a preventative measure. BE HONEST! This is the person who has your life in their hands. Overall impression not the greatest bedside manner but he makes up for it in other ways.

Dr Pitchford is a wonderful doctor. He knows what he's doing & makes you feel very comfortable. I would recommend him to anyone in the area considering surgery.

Dr. Pitchford is great! He's friendly with out overdoing it and has been able to answer all my questions throughout this process. His nurse Sue is excellent, also very friendly and knowlegable. I appreciate all the things that they do to make you feel comfortable with them and informed about what you are doing. What great people! I couldnt imagine saying anything negative about them or any of their staff. A truly great group!

I had my informational conference with Dr Pitchford and Sue on November 23rd which was very interesting and I learned many new things. Then I had my first one on one with Dr Pitchford on Dec 1st. I had many questions written down and he very calmly and quietly went through each one. He seems to very confident in what he does and I have full confidence in him. Sue his assistant was also very helpful, she gave me a very important insurance tip and I thank her greatly for that. I only have one more nutrition appt left on Jan 4th then I am ready to move on with the surgery, I believe I have one more one on one with him before surgery, I look very forward to meeting with him and his staff again and planning my new lifes journey:)

I HAD AN APPOINTMENT WITH HIM THE OTHER DAY AND HE SEEMS REALLY NICE THOUGH I DO FEEL THAT HE IS STILL PRETTY NEW TO THIS PROCEDURE. HE HAS ONLY DONE ABOUT 100 OR SO PROCEDURE OF THE GASTRIC BYPASS AND A HANDFULL OF THE LAP BAND. BUT HE SEEMS LIKE HE KNOWS WHAT HE IS DOING AND HIS NURSE SEEMS REALLY NICE. THE STAFF EVEN HELPED ME SET UP APPOINTMENTS FOR THE PHYSC EVAL AND DIETIANS. HE IS WILLING TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE ABOUT THE PROCEDURE. VERY NICE MAN/DOCTOR.