Louis Martin Bariatric Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S.

Doctor Martin I think is a great doctor. He gives you all the time you need to ask whatever questions you might have. He never rushes anyone. He takes his time with everyone. I love that in a doctor. My first impression of him has never changed. The office staff is good too. They have a lot to deal with so I think they are doing the best that they can. I liked everything about my doctors.

Dr. Martin has one of the best reputations for wls in the United States. He and his associates (Dr. Scalia, Dr. Klainer & Dr. Paige) are all well trained and their program is top notch. The general organization of the office is a bit chaotic and can be extremely frustrating, but the medical/surgical care can't be beat. The program is on the conservative side and is an interdisciplinary team approach. No searching for a psychologist, a dietitian or anything. Everyone is right there in house. If you can pass the frustration test in dealing with the office part of the clinic, you will be in good hands.

I haven't met Dr. Martin yet, but I have heard lots of great things about him, especially through this website. I have heard that he is very caring and takes his time with you to make sure you understand everything that is involved. I've met a few of his office staff and they seem generally nice and caring, they really cater to overweight people.

**2/4
I meet with my surgeon, Dr. Martin, on this coming Friday, Feb 7th. I've already have a pretty big list of questions to ask him and I can't wait to ask them. I have met him on a few occasions now, he is a very busy man, he is very caring and extremely patient. I can't wait to talk to him in detail about my surgery and what his expectations are for me. Will update after my consultation with him on 2/7.

I just met Dr. Martin after surgery date scheduled. He is knoweledgeable and personable.

Office staff is nice. Had a hard time getting through on the phones at times.

I have been to the office for the first visite but have not met the doctor as of yet just lots of nurses and other medical staff. I am not accutiually approved but I am pre approved so at least I can start the testing Dr. Martiam's office is also under construction so they said they will call me back as soon as possible so I am still wating. I was approved and finally had the surgery August 5, 2002 I have no complaints about Dr. Martian and his staff infact all I have to say is if you need somthing there is someone there who has the answer. And if you are in a hurry don't be the day you go there just go ready to talk and share with all of the other people wating with you you wate because you are given all the time you need when it is your turn. I also really enjoy the groups I have met many wonderful people there are they are all very helpfull.

I had a great impression of Dr. Martin at the orientation. I asked about malabsorption and he explained it to me in a very easy to understand way and seemed to acknowledge that I had been researching and encouraged others to do the same. My impression has only gotten better as I saw him explain to a family waiting for word of how the operation went - what all had happened in surgery. He was very caring and wanted to be sure they understood everything. He was kind to the family. The office staff is wonderful. They really put you through the hoops. After the orientation get ready because the first day you spend with them - you see and meet so many people. Social workers, trainers, nurses, dietians, doctors, so many people and you go to group for the first time. It takes over 5 hours - so get ready! Then the next time you come you go through mega tests - so many - they are very conscientious in checking out every aspect of your physical and mental prepareness. I don't know if I will get Dr. Martin - I may get his associate - because the surgery is becoming so popular that he is specializing in difficult cases and in young patients. But, I am hoping I get him because I like the way he has set everything up in the Weight Management Center and I like his style - I feel very confident about his abilities. Everyone in the office is talking aftercare - it is very emphasized. Yes - exercise, group and follow-ups. He was very upfront about the risks of surgery and emphasized them at every meeting. I would rate him very very high so far - I think his beside manner and surgical competence are both great. There is one thing I would advise. On the first 5 hour day of meeting everyone and going through everything - they did not let me stop for lunch- in fact the group session that was extremely important because it was made up of pre-surgery, post-surgery, aftercare and long time patients -was scheduled during the lunch break. I had to leave for the hospital because it is out of state for me at about 6:30 am I finished there at about 5:30 pm. I had not had a drink of water, or a bite of food. I was so weak and dehydrated. My head was killing me and I knew it was from the drastic drop in the level of food I usually consume. The next time when I went for tests - I was prepared - I stuffed Pop Tarts in my purse, tangerines, and some change for a drink. But the tests all required no food or drinks - not even water. The hospital got so backed up that I finished again at about 5:30. By the time they finished the upper GI at that time in the afternoon - I felt terrible again. I had a spilting headache and had to drive through New Orleans traffic for two hours to get home. So - my advise is to ask about a lunch break the first day and take one before or after group - tell them you have to or you can't concentrate. Then with the tests - if the hospital is slow - go back across to the Weight Management Center and see if they can help push you through so you don't pass out! That is my only negative thing to say so far - I was so dehydrated both days and I had a hard time going with no calories and low blood sugar. This is just my experience and others are probably a lot smarter than I was - I was not paying attention to the time or what was happening to my body - I was so engrossed in the meetings and the tests. This is my own personal experience and I am not making any statements about what other people may experience. Just some suggestions.

Dr. Martin is very caring and, most importantly, highly experienced and skilled. He is on the cutting edge of weight loss technology. His clinic is growing rapidly and they are adapting to this change. You can wait a good bit of time to see the doctor, however, once in he spends as much time as you need to get your questions answered. Dr. Martin's staff consists of two additional surgeons, two internists, a psychologist, a masters-level social worker, two RN's, a physiologist and a dietician. There are other staff members who are helpful, especially the in-house insurance person (Thanks Antoinette!). Dr. Martin requires extensive pre-surgery diagnostic testing, psychological testing, and group counseling. The group counseling is an invaluable tool, which consists of pre and post operative patients. There you learn the good, the bad, and the ugly of this surgery. I was one of the lucky ones. I had lapriscopic gastric by-pass surgery and was back at work in two weeks. I was faithful to the six-month post operative diet guidelines. I did lose a good bit of my hair during months 3 and 4 after surgery, and in month 6 I developed an intolerance to lactose. I started at 226 lbs, bmi 40.

In my research and in speaking with others who have had this surgery, I find that competence and experience are THE most important things to have in a surgeon.

Beware of doctors who cut their rates or who rush you through pre operative processes.

My first impression of Dr. Martin was very good. I thought he really cared about his patient's and was eager to help. My impression has not changed, only gotten better. He has always been very kind and thoughtful and helpful. His office staff leaves a lot to be desired. The nurses are pretty nice, but there is one lady in the office that answers the phone who I and several others fine very rude, but we were so interested and desperate for the surgery, that were willing to put up with her. They (Dr. Raum, the endocrinologist who sees you pre and post op emphasizes aftercare very much. He is still following me a year after my surgery to make sure all is going well. He orders differents lab work and tests to make sure your blood levels are good and metabolism is working properly. He spends lot of time with each patient, answering all questions which makes for a very long wait every time you visit the office, but it is worth it. The risks of surgery were explained several times by the surgeon, the endocrinologist and the nurses. I was well aware of all the risks involved, but felt it was well worth the risk. Plus, I had spoken to several patient's before surgery in the many group sessions we were required to attend before even being given a date for the surgery. I would rate Dr. Martin as very good. a 10 on a scale of 1 to 10. Both were great. I feel that he is an excellent surgeon who is very knowledgeable about the surgery he performs and his bedside manner is great as well, always very pleasant and very informative. I have nothing negative to say about the doctors, just the office staff that is not very friendly or helpful. The insurance lady took a long time to send in my papers, but I was very persistent (and you will need to be too) and always very nice.

I met Dr. Martin a few weeks ago and I have to say I think he is a competent surgeon. Of course, let's see how I do after my surgery.

The office has been helpful. You do wait all day there though, and it can appear really disorganized. but as long as YOU are persistent, everything will run smoothly. You will find yourself calling them again and again.

After my surgery, Dr. Martin was positively wonderful! He came to see me every day and asked how I was doing - including reviewing my labs and my progress with me. Before I left the hospital, he gave me his pager number in case I had any problems and his email so I could keep him up to date. I know there are lots of good surgeons out there, but I highly doubt I could have liked anymore more than I did Dr. Martin.

Since this site suggests saying _something_ negative, I guess it would have been Dr. Martin's nurse. She was certainly pleasant, but was not as friendly as he was and did things so quickly, I could not always keep up with what she was doing (like pulling out my J-tube).

At our first meeting, Dr. Martin was very professional and seemed sensitive and caring. I wasn't wrong. He has been wonderful and my surgery went very well.
I believe the staff at the St. Charles Management Clinic were nice, but not as efficient as they could be. The hospital was under construction during my surgery and was very dusty and dirty! I couldn't wait to get out of there. I was in the hospital for 5 days following surgery.
I return on April 2nd for my first follow up visit with Dr. Martin.