AdventHealth Med Group Bariatrics at Tampa Organization

I have not met my surgon, but have had meetings with his staff. They are great. Very helpful. I have my first meeting with his assisment group 11/17/03. I have heard wonderful things as to his program. He requires assiment by a group, medical, psy and diet. From there, if a person needs additional psy help, they are referred to psys that work with our special needs. I am currently working with my PCP completing the 26 week supervised diet.
Dr Murr has a support group meeting monthly. I have attended my first meeting. Found them to be most helpful. Freely sharing their before and after. The good, bad and ugly, so to speak.Every one is supportive, I have been advised of the risks and feel his knowledge in the field is excellent. He has been doing bypass surgery for over 10 years. His aftercare/support group is required. This I feel will be very helpful to me. Some doctors I interview did not require or have an aftercare program.
As for negative points, as I have not met the doctor, I do not feel I can address this issue at the present time. I will update at a later date. One thing, the evalution group charges $700. Only $300. is covered by my insurance. This is because only one of the doctors takes BC/BS. I will have to file for and hopefully receive 70% of the balance.

Dr Dietrick was a very good surgeon. My first impression was that he was like any surgeon - a bit pious and know-it-all. My impression did not change a whole lot, but I began to appreciate him more. He still seems to lack the bed side manner that I would have wanted but that's not what I was paying him for.
The staff is very good and helpful although a bit defensive if I was ever critical about anything.
The whole Wish Center is set up around superior care - both precare instruction and aftercare instruction and availability. I think that is what makes this program different from others. This is ALL they do and have researched it in detail and devoted a lot of time to its structure.

Overall with a few minor bumps (because the program was brand new in Tampa at the time of my surgery) I would give Dr Deitrick and staff excellent marks.

Having Dr. Murr for my surgeon was the best experience. Dr. Murr has performed this surgery so many times, that anyone that uses his services has put their life in the best of hands.

He, along with his staff have been there all the way for me.

One of the best things about having Dr. Murr for my surgeon is the support that is offered after WLS.

We now have a post-op support group that will be providing info from specialists as well as personal information from other pos-ops from those just out of surgery to others that have been post-ops for 1 - 2 years.

I found Dr. Murr to be a very patient and caring doctor. His assisting doctors are all equally patient and caring. I did find that getting an appointment with him to be a very long process so be patient and start early. Make your post op appointments before surgery or you may not get them at the appropriate time, like I did. Also, be patient if you are trying to reach one of his doctors or him with a problem. They do eventually get back with you. His rate of complications is much lower than the the national average. He also doesn't use ng tubes, external staples or stitches. You can use your CPAP maching in recovery and beyond. I had a great experience.

Had my first informational seminar. Dr. Murr requires this before proceeding any further.
I also attended a support group meeting for patients who are post-op. This is also mandatory.
Next step is mandatory medical and psychological testing.
All this must be done before you even get an appointment to actually see Dr. Murr.

My first impression of Dr. Dietrick was wonderful. He really explained and took time with me right from the start. some Drs just rush through everything and dont give you time to ask any question but he was not like that we was great. My surgury date was scheduled for January 27 2003 and on January 24 I recevied a phone call from his nurse Cathy that they had to cxcl my surgury I was very disapointed but when she told me the reason she had to cxcl was because he had nobody to assist him in the operating room i was not disapointed i was happy and respected him for telling the truth. Now i will get on with the office staff and nurse Cathy they are all wonderful and made me feel very welcomed. Well i really dont know what else to say but i will be going in for surgery on Monday the 10th of March. bye

Dr. Deitrick was incredible the first time I met him for my gallbladder surgery. When I found out he was taking Dr. Richards place. I was extreemly happy. When I checked into all the information for the surgery and spoke with Kathy, It was a real comfort. She answered all my questions I had and helped me through some of the important questions I really had. The office staff has always been helpful to me and Dr. Dietrick spent time with me and answered all my questions. I am happy to be with this office for the surgery. It is a wonderful staff.

I have just had my initial consultation appointment with Dr. John Dietrick. He is associated with the Wish Center. At my first appointment I met with the entire healthcare team (physician, dietitian, exercise physiologist, psychologist and insurance department). It was very organized and each person completed an evaluation and provided me with goals to complete prior to my next appointment. Everyone was very knowledgeable and informative. They each took as much time as necessary to answer any questions my husband or I had. They have a very structured aftercare program as well. We were given information and a food diary and pre-surgical program to follow until my next visit. All risks and benefits of the surgery were explained to us in depth. I would, at this point, say that my husband and I were both favorably impressed with our first visit with Dr. Dietrick and his staff.

Dr Murr was very to the point on the first visit. He makes sure you are very aware of the risks. At first you get the impression that he is very detached but beneath it all he is a sweetheart. I think you just have to get used to his "dry" sense of humor.
I would not have done this surgery with any other Dr in the Tampa area. He has given me my life back and for that I will be greatful forever.
I see a lot of comments about Martha and I have had other patients that are friends of mine have encounters with her to the point of having to file complaints against her. I guess I am one of the lucky ones that have not had any runnings with her. She has always been very cordial and her response has been prompt whenever I have asked for anything from her.

Dr. Murr was an extremely professional and knowledgeable physician. He and his staff have been and continue to be extremely helpful! I guess the thing I liked least was the amount of time the whole process took- but in retrospect, I understand why they don't rush into anything. Aftercare is EXTREMELY important. I am currently 6 mos. post op and 91lbs lighter!!! WOO-HOO!! I would do it again in a second!