"I was referred to Dr. Martin by my friend Dr. Michael Sarr who is the chief of surgery at the Mayo Clinic, MN. He is a soft-spoken, caring, and knowledgeable physician. He has done over 1200 gastric bypasses. He gave me his beeper number! so I could get in touch with him at any time. The office staff can get things done, and they are VERY kind and sympathetic.
My biggest problem has been traveling 3 hours (and taking a day off from work) to get aftercare, which Dr. Martin is adamant about. Their aftercare program is very structured, with medical, psychological, dietary, and group support sessions.
Dr. Martin explained all the risks involved (which I knew already) in a seven page? consent form.
I think Dr. Martin is great. He operated on me over the Christmas holiday as a favor to me, and I appreciate his doing that, as I know it probably took time and pleasure from his Christmas.
I cannot say that my postop stay at LSU University Hospital was very pleasant. I don't know if it was because of Christmas, but the staffing seemed short, rushed, and diffident. I have spoken to many other patients, and they have told me their postop hospital experience was the same at many other hospitals. Expect to take a family member/friend advocate to take care of you and make the staff pay attention to you in the hospital, no matter what hospital you go to.
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