"Where to start. My first impression of Dr. Howell was that he was kind of gruff. (If that's the right word.) He basically held no punches, telling me things I knew, but really didn't want to hear. I thought "Gee, he's not very nice." But yet he laid out everything, explained the procedure and risks, gave me a list of things I had to do before surgery, and then basically left an impression that he sincerely cared about his patients, and that impression is proven each time I see him.
He has been wonderful as far as aftercare. I developed an infection after surgery, he immediately opened the wound to allow it to drain and heal, and then had me in every week to check the wound. While Dr. Howell was out of town, my infection worsened, and I had to call in again to see what to do. Dr. Kubalik was the doctor on call and he was in surgery at the time. He had me go to the emergency room and even called down to tell them that I was on the way in. He wanted the doctor from the ER to call him in the OR to let him know what was going on. They then decided on treatment and sent me home with new meds.
I was so surprised when a couple days after my trip to the ER, Dr. Howell's nurse Kari called just to see how I was feeling, that was a new experience for me. His whole staff is great!!
My best impression of him was just today...I had to go in to have my wound checked, and I have lost 50 lbs!! He seemed genuinely happy for me! The look on his face just told me that he was sharing my success so far and was proud of it and me. THANK YOU DR. HOWELL!!! YOU MADE MY DAY!!!
If you are looking for a doctor to sugar coat things and tell you that you're not fat....he's not the doctor for you!!! He doesn't coddle you or your ego. Be prepared to hear the truths that other doctors either don't say outloud, or smooth over so as not to hurt your feelings, cuz he's gonna tell you to your face everything you yourself look at in the mirror and deny. So toughen up....and listen, he knows what he's saying!
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