Adam Skidmore is worth it...

I've received traffic to my blog regarding Adam Skidmore, and I can only presume it's in light of recent media directed to him by news.com.au.

Thought it might be wise for me then, to share my perspective on someone who I consider to be a great surgeon.


Let me start by saying, I don't want to speculate on what the media is reporting.  I don't trust many of the news.com.au reports at any rate.  A simple Google search on Adam Skidmore confirms that they have been the only news network that has covered this story, and it was released on a Sunday so it does show the news worthiness of what's transpired.

I simply want to tell you my experience.

My initial consult with Adam, I took my sister with me.  My referring doctor, Sharon Marks, is someone who I trust immensely   When she told me I was out of control and needed surgery, I complied.  When she also told me there was one surgeon she trusted, and was willing to refer me to I went.  She took my case that seriously, she asked for family to go with me to see Adam.

What this was telling me was that I was entering into a very high risk surgery and that this journey, for lack of better description, was just about to get extremely real for me.

So we went to see Adam, and I trust my sister's judgement of character.  My sister has this "no bullshit" appeal about her - basically, she won't put up with any and she fell in love with Adam's no nonsense approach.  He was straight down the line, he was determined, and confident.  I felt safe, assured and was willing to trust this man.

He laid before me all the risks I was up for.  He was taking on a patient that was nearly 250kg, in an operation that whilst was desperately needed, was a great risk for me to take on.  He wanted to go there though, because he could see in me that every effort thus far had been futile, and he believed everyone deserved an opportunity to better look after themselves.  He made me realise that it wouldn't be an easy feat, and I had to be prepared for a longer stay than most.

I was one of those patients who should have only been in hospital for three days, and I wasn't.  I was in for 8 days, and I'm glad.  Here's why.  I was extremely overweight and 18 months prior I had nearly lost my life to pulmonary emboli.  If I had to stay in hospital for 8 weeks after because of these risks, I was going to take it.

It turned out that the doctor who worked alongside Adam Skidmore felt I was at risk of another emboli, and at Adam's instructions I stayed longer.  Tests concluded that what might have been emboli was actually scar tissue from the damage created from the last emboli.  So the bonus for me was that I walked away with more knowledge about my body.  For example, because I know of this scar tissue, I now know that it's always going to be extra complicated for me when I get a common cold.  Consequence of this knowledge is I do my best to avoid getting common colds!

Adam had made me aware of his experiences, and answered a lot of questions I had.  He had also mentioned to me that he felt the gastric sleeve was the best option for me.  I asked him about lap band, and he said that with how I presented psychologically it wasn't an option.  He stated that most of his lap band surgeries were lap band removals and stomach repairs because patients had been irresponsible with their lap bands and damaged themselves.

It comes as no surprise then, that he has a list of patients that need to stay in hospital longer than expected.  Adam takes on the surgeries that are not easy.  He takes on the cases that require time, dedication and something else to add, the after care is exceptional.  I have access to psychology, dietitians and Adam's expertise, and that of his colleague Phillip Cheong.  I am more than happy with my experience with Adam, and you ought to be as well.  You do take a risk in having this surgery, but you're life is at risk at any rate.  Take that chance on someone who is proven.

90kg in 10 months.  He has helped me.

He can help you too, and if your doctor has endorsed him to you, then take it.

Cheers.