AdventHealth Med Group Bariatrics at Tampa Organization


He seemed to be nice, but very reserved and businesslike. I went in for a consultation and he said that I was definetly a candidate for the procedure. I wish he was more "friendly" but then again I was very nervous.

I have seen the surgeon who will hopefully do my surgery, Dr Murr. On my first visit, first a woman resident came and asked me questions about why I wanted the surgery and what I expected. She left the room about 3 times during this visit. I waited about 15 minutes, then Dr Murr came in. He was strictly business until I told him that a former patient had told me great things about him, then he seemed to be more friendly. He explained the surgery to me, asked me some questions about how long I had researched this and then asked to look at my stomach. He explained to me that I would have to see a sleep study docter to make sure I dont have apnea and explained to me that I would have to take birth control after the surgery for one year. He has monthly support meetings at Tampa General Hospital. He wont do the lap unless you weigh less than 275.
4/10/00 had my second appt w/Dr Murr and he is wonderful. He said that my paperwork and records were well organized and I shouldnt have any problem getting approved. Now, I am crossing my fingers... and toes!

Dr. Murr is a very kind, soft-spoken man & is
extremely knowledgeable & professional. I was
very impressed when I read his resume on his website.
I am an RN and I already knew some about RNY,
but he went into detail to make sure that I
understood all the risks & benefits of this surgery.
His office staff is great-always very helpful, especially
Martha, the bariatric surgery coordinator. I
think the program there is very well organized.
They do have a good aftercare program & really do
emphasize post-op treatments & lifestyle changes.
Although Dr. Murr looks like he never had a fat
day in his life, he seems to understand what
obese people endure in their lives, & sincerely wants
to help them.

Dr Michel Murr MD is located at Tampa General Hospital in Tampa, FL.
He was easy to talk to but kept referring me back to a small pamphlet until I stressed I wanted more information than was contained in the booklet.
As he is part of a hospital clinic situation the waiting area was large but the chairs were small (of course I mentioned this flaw).
Aftercare is stressed, with continued follow-up both with him and PCP.
I DO trust this man with my life.

Dr. Michel Murr

met with the surgeon that does the surgery in Tampa on 11/5/99 his name is Dr. Michel Murr. He is not the most friendly I have ever met but I guess I don't really care if he wins a popularity contest as long as he is good. He explained the surgery and showed a diagram of it, he told me since my BMI is 55 that he would do a little be longer bypass than the proximal. He made sure I new what he was talking about which I did. He said he would bypass about 5-6 ft of intestine. He told me about their web site www.digestive-disorders.com and I told him I had already visited it and read all about him. He has a lot of experience in the area of bariatric surgery. He told me about having to take vitamins for the rest of my life and that I would see him for checkups for the next 2 years and then my primary would assume that, and made sure that I realized that I would have to be monitored for the rest of my life. He wants a sleep apnea test done as my dad had it and I scored high on a quiz he ask me. He also wants me cleared by a cardiologist be cause I took phen/fen. Part of the regular program is you have to consult with a dietician and a psychiatrist/therapist before you come back to him for the 2nd visit. He told me to choose one that is close to my work as I would probably need to go back after the surgery to deal with different problems that I might have during the weight loss phase. I have called my primary to assist me with referrals for these visits. The program has a support group that meets once a month at the Rehab Center at Tampa General and one of the other requirements is that you attend at least one meeting prior to acceptance for surgery. I have been going to the meeting for the past 3 months and I told him so.
February 21, 2000
Update, It seems like it has been forever getting all of this stuff done, but I finally have my second appointment with Dr. Murr. He told me that I have severe sleep apnea. I had not been called by Dr. Anderson and told anything, he was just reading from the report that Dr. Anderson sent to him. He told me I need to contact him again set up an appointment for another study to determine what level the cpap should be on, and get a machine ordered so I have it when I get out of surgery. He said they would be submitting to insurance sometime this week.
March 8, 2000
Received a denial letter in the mail from Blue Cross/Blue Shield Health Options. Martha from Dr. Murr's office called me and told me not to worry yet. The reason on the letter was that I had stated in my diet history that from June 1997 to August 1998 I had been on Atkins and lost 32 lbs and back in 1985 I was on a medically supervised fast and lost 80 lbs so I had not failed at conventional diets and exercise. I was upset, as it seemed a lot of people have been getting approved by Health Options and now that it's my turn I am denied. Well they sent off a letter requesting an appeal by an independent panel and I also fired off a 3 page letter to them telling them way I need this surgery. Guess we play the waiting game again. Will let you all know if something new happens.