Midsouth Bariatrics/Club New You Bariatric Center
Dr. Woodman and his staff are just awesome! From the first time that I saw him at the seminar to my pre-op appointment he has done nothing but put my mind at ease about this whole procedure. I would definately recommend that anyone who is considering the LapBand to attend one of his seminars. I can't say enough great things about Dr. Woodman, Gina, Kelly and the rest of the staff.
I went to one of Dr. Woodman's seminars last November, and was very impressed with his honesty and completeness in discussing bariatric surgery. His staff is excellent, and he does answer e-mail - I sent him a question about taking meds on my surgery day, and got a message back from him the next day. I know he's a busy doctor, but I talked to him both before and after surgery, as well as when I was discharged the next day. He is adamant in making sure that you know that this surgery is only a tool for weight-loss, not a magic wand cure. They have sessions with a psychologist for support, as well as a dietitian who meets with patients at the office. I think I made a good choice.
3/22/03: I first met Dr. Woodman at one of his seminars regarding Lap Band surgery in September 2002. I was very impressed with Dr. Woodman, as well as his intelligence, skill level and reputation. He was very thorough with information regarding obesity and weight loss surgery. He was also very patient during the question/answer period. My first appointment was with his Nurse Practitioner, Gina Seaton, on 3/10/03. I would have made my appointment much earlier, but at the time my insurance company did not cover Lap Band surgery. I now have United Healthcare insurance and they do cover this type of surgery!!! Gina was extraordinary! She made me feel so at ease. I was so nervous before my appointment, so afraid I would be told to go away and just stick to a diet. But I wasn't! She complimented me on having all of my information readily available to her so that she could contact my insurance company that very day for approval! She also complimented me on my outward happy appearance! It was so nice to be complimented and smiled at rather than being put down by either words or looks. Their office also has wonderful over-sized chairs in the waiting and exam rooms! Finally, someone understands what it is like for an obese person to try to sit in normal sized chairs! It is not only embarassing, it hurts! Even the exam tables in Dr. Woodman's office are different. They are lower and the step one takes to sit on the table is lower and wider. All of this just proved to me how much he cares about his patients. Dr. Woodman is very well liked in our community. I work for a group of doctors and several of them know Dr. Woodman personally and were very happy for me when I told them of my decision. They told me I would be in very capable hands! I have met one of his patients online and just listening to her about her success so far gets me so excited. I am so looking forward to the day when I can walk without shortness of breath and pain in my legs; when I can actually bend over to pick something up; when I can see my feet again when standing erect; when I can lie down to sleep; when I can stop taking the majority of medications I now take; when my diet roller coaster ride days are over! So, as I write this, I have faithfully been on Slim-Fast since 3/11/03, per Gina's instructions, and I am waiting for approval from my insurance company. To anyone contemplating weight loss surgery, I say, please go to one of Dr. Woodman's seminars with an open mind and learn about this wonderful tool that will change your life!
I went to a seminar held for 2 hours to explain the band. I was rather impressed with his honesty and also the information available. Also my first contact was an email to his office requesting information and he emailed me back personally this impressed me.
He is rather blunt and upfrount.
He emphazied aftercare as a life time commintment and this is a tool to train me how to eat. It is up to me to use the tool.
I have an appoiment with his nurse practioner on the 23 rd of jan.
My first impression of Dr Woodman was very good! I felt as though he really knew his stuff! He took more then enough time to explain the surgery to me, pre-op & post-op and assured me that he and his staff would be available at any time that I needed them!
On the day of my surgery Dr Woodman came to me and explained once again about the procedure, how it was going to be place inside of me and what I needed to do as well to help gain the accomplishments that I am wanting!
While I was in the hospital he called me several times to check on me and once he found out that I had not been given my nausea medecine, it wasn't 5 minutes later and I had it going through my IV. He was completely concerned about my well being and how comfortable I felt!
My first impression of Dr. Woodman was actually not related to my surgery, but my mother had a ruptured apendix & he was the on-call surgeon that operated. He saved her life. He is an incredibly compitent/gifted surgeon that gives you all the details of what is going on in fairly laymans terms.
He offers a seminar to attend for those interested in pursuing this type of surgery. The seminar is very thourough and he and his assistant Gina are there to answer questions and concerns.
Once you decide on this route, Gina & the rest of his staff help guide you in the necessary direction. They made preparing and getting approval for the surgery a breeze. I was very fortunate that my insurance company (Humana Emphesys) approved my surgery in a matter of minutes.
There are several appointments you will have pre-surgery, that cover everything about the procedure and outline what will be required post-op. There is a structured aftercare program. You are also given literature & web-sites to visit.
Overall, I would rate Dr. Woodman as an incredible surgeon. I would trust my life with him. Wait!!! I did! & would again!