Eastern Maine Medical Center Hospital

The staff was wonderful. The patient care was great.

My impression of Dr. Toder was great. I first started this journey in 2002, when I went to get a gastric bypass. At the time, she didn't feel comfortable doing it, because she didn't know how my meds absorbed and didn't want to make them less effective. Thin but crazy is not a good way to be. But, she gave my mom a call in 2003, saying I might be okay for the lap-band procedure, which she just started doing. I thought that was so nice of her to keep me in mind for that time. She even asked doctors at the Acadia Hospital (a mental hospital where I stayed) if they knew me. I think she presents herself very business-like and serious, but she has a tender, caring side that makes her a great doctor. She genuinely cares about her patients and wants them to succeed. When her patients start not following her directions, of course she is angry with them. I would be. She has put in a lot of effort to fix their insides to help them, and then they start eating Ho Hos, or to that effect. I think that is where she gets her gruff reputation. She is the only surgeon I would want to do my procedure though.

If it wasn't for the fact that this hospital is 2 1/2 hours from my home I would not hesitate to go there for anything. Had an overall wonderfull experience!

The staff with a few exceptions were not friendly and really didn't reflect much caring. The RNs were for the most part standoffish, but the nursing techs were great.

My first impression of Dr. Toder was that she was completely professional and seemed very competent in her skills.

When I met with her on a one to one basis, she was completely down to earth, very firm in her belief of this surgery, and straight to the point. I appreciated her straight forwardness and her seriousness in approaching this procedure (lap. RNY).

Dr. Toder stresses creating good habits before the surgery so after the procedure is complete, there is nothing new.

She is always willing to answer questions and concerns and encourages you to ask questions.

I am only 3 weeks post-op but so far am very pleased with the aftercare portion of this program.

I would definitely have Dr. Toder do my surgery again. I feel she did a good job and that I will have minimal scaring.

My only negative feeling about my experience so far is that I only saw Dr. Toder right after the surgery. I saw a PA just before I left the hospital. Not a major thing, it could even be that she had the day off, I'm not sure.

EMMC was great. My only regret was being so close to the nurses station and the night rest wasn't the best, but with the help of sleep aids, It was much better!!

The ward was very busy the two nights I was there. I was right across from the nurses station and it was very very busy and very loud most of the two nights. I had to share a room with someone who did not have the same kind of surgery and she had visitors non-stop. They talked and brought food in and ate so I could hear and smell food--it was awful and I was too ill to ask folks to stop. Many times, my call button did not work and I had to ask people to get me out of bed to begin walking. I had no ice chips until Friday night after 5:00. My surgery was Thursday at 7:30 a.m. so I was parched. I felt awful and exhausted and was thrilled I headed home on Saturday at Noon. The surgery was worse than I expected and therefore I felt terrible the entire time. By Saturday a.m. however, I was up on my own and moving around a lot because I wanted to get out. It was not the pleasant experience I had read in past postings. I blame no one for this--it was the way it was but I would insist on a single room if insurance permitted it and would keep the door shut all the time.

I liked Dr. Toder at the very beginning. She wasopen, honest, direct and listened. She was great at the hospital---great bedside manner. She was great at my first follow up too. My understanding is that some folks have not liked her because she is fairly blunt. I happen to like and respect that in her because I am also a blunt, direct woman.

The office staff was also very helpful--liked the environment very much.

Again Dr. Toder is a wonderful surgeon and is highly skilled. Of course, I tend to like more up to date techniques and only wanted the lap surgery. I have enough scaring on my stomach and did not want or need another 5 inch scar.

Dr. Toder puts the responsibility for success on the patient--where it should be. She discusses aftercare, exercise and how to eat and then it is up to the patient. Again, this is not a miracle cure---but a lifestyle change and Dr. Toder discusses that upfront.

On a 1 - 10 scale I would give both her bedside manner and more important to me her surgical competance a 15!!!!

Dr. Toder fit my personality--and I emphasize MY PERSONALITY.

Dr. Toder had been a guest speaker at 2 of the support group meetings I went to in Bangor when I was considering the Open RNY.
She was pleasant and answered questions.

I had my Surgeon Consult with her on 11/11/03 one on one. She is very professional and stressed dropping bad habits (like drinking soda) before surgery. She feels if you won't do it before, then you won't do it after surgery either. She said if 10-15 lbs were gained before the time of surgery, she wouldn't do it. She want's to do surgery on people who she believes will be successful.(I have held my weight by the way) She wants to make sure there is a structured eating schedule, exercise plan, and knowledge of surgery. She informed me of the risks, etc. She didn't rush the time with me and answered all my questions as best possible. I guess I consulted with her about 35 minutes or so. She is very thorough, and I feel very confident that I will be in good hands when the time finally gets here.

She is booked solid through the end of the year, so more than likely I will have to wait until 2004 for my surgery. Will update when I have more info.

Quick to respond to E-Mails & questions.
Very helpful, friendly and knowledgeable.