Laurie Spaulding Bariatric Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S.

First Impressions: Quiet, competent, professional.

My first impression didn't change over time.

Office staff is helpful

What I liked least... probably the year+ waiting list for surgery dates (there is a rather long backlog of paitents waiting for bypass surgery in Vermont, and apparently not even close to enough surgeons who specialize in this area).

Future paitents should not go in looking for a quick fix to weight problems by use of surgery... It is a life-altering event and I still have the 4inch scar to prove it, but also am down 180 lbs in 10 months, from a restructured diet (and it wasn't easy to change for me, I'm a very stubborn individual). There are regular aftervisits on a scheduled basis, and also regular checks for vitimin deficiency.

I went into her office knowing many of the risks... My two biggest fears were Death (tho the precentage is low, for me, it was high because it was not zero), and post-op blood clotting particularly in or around the brain (which is always possible with any surgery). Dr. Spaulding was very upfront about all the possible risks of surgery, the risks afterwards, and what I should expect... It's scary, but so is dieing at an early age for being too overweight.

Overall, I give her top marks for having both surgical competence, and a good bedside manner both in the months leading up to the surgery, and after I woke up the next day.

Side effects... I had a long term side effect after the cathider was removed, it caused a sharp pain regularly while emptying my bladder for about 5 months. It took a bit of time for it to go away, and the tests they performed didn't show anything out of place but it still kept hurting.

I had been to this web site to get reviews of Laurie and everybody just raved about her so I was let down a bit when I met her for the first time. I expected a bubbly person that was a cheerleader type but I got a no-nonsence doctor but that is alright. She got right to the point and explained everything that was going to occur and what steps that I needed to take on this journey. I was disapointed when I left because my 2nd appointment was 2 months away and I was told that surgery was going to be about 10 months after that. Oh great I thought, fat for another year and less activity time with my son because I get so tired easy, then again who can keep up with a two year old?!

At my second appointment my opion of Laurie changed. She was more of the upbeat person that people descibed and then I understood her a bit more. She wants people to know that she cares and that this is not a quick descion that you can make and there are as many down sides as there are up. Such as with any surgery you could have serious complications after which could lead to death. She is very proffessional in the first appointment to let you know it is serious but she then lightens up as you have appointments because she knows that you are serious and committed to this life long journey!
I then had to take a quiz and passed with flying colors and then the time came to schedual the surgery. I was ready to hear your date will be june 2005 but instead she said March 16th. Oh how my emotions were realing, I guess I have the luck of the Irish on my side. I will keep you updated as things get closer!

Dawn

I first saw her at a lecture she was giving on gastric bypass surgery and was very impressed. She is very personable and surely knows what she is talking about. Laurie has a very large practice and I am sure not able to give the person to person care she would like to. I am willing to accept that fact so that she can help as many of us as possible. Her staff is great and they provide help as needed. The aftercare consists of quarterly followups for awhile then yearly which is up to the patient to maintain. She also provides monthly meetings which are run by her staff and prior patients.

I would rate Laurie a 8 out of 10 overall.

Of course surgical competence is the most important but a "fairly decent" bedside manner gives you more confidence.

Dr. Spaulding is absolutely wonderful.
Honest, caring, and totally friendly.
Doesn't talk "down" to you. Treats you
very respectfully and kindly.

Dr. Spaulding has been absolutely incredible. She is my hero. She has taken time to explain every detail of the surgery and has been there with me through all the uphill battles post op, and celebrated all my milestones. Dr. Spaulding is very professional, and still comes across with the most compassionate heart. She will go out of her way to help those that truly follow her guidelines. Her bedside manner is the best I have ever seen in a surgeon, and as a nurse, I have seen the bedside manner of a lot of surgeons. You can't go wrong with Dr. Spaulding.

I had an extremely unpleasant experience with Dr. Spaulding. I have suffered with depression for many years, but for over 2 years, have made tremenduos strides, have made huge changes in my life, and have stayed constant and stable for this period of time. Not only am I able to deal with stress of my own, in my job working at a homeless shelter for people with mental illness, I am put into crisis situations; constantly having to deal with men and women who are depressed, manic, abusive either verbally or physically with themselves or others, and/or suicidal. I called for an appointment at Fletcher Allen with Dr. Spaulding, did all the tests, and everything that was required, then after over 9 months, FINALLY, went to an appointment. I first met with a psychiatrist, who interviewed me for LESS THAN 15 MINUTES!! She was distant and unresponsive to me and my answers to her questions. She left the room, and Dr. Spaulding came in. Dr. Spaulding asked me no questions, initiated no conversations, just sat down and told me that my years of stability was not good enough. She then told me to come back in six years, after I finished college, because she felt that I had not had enough stress to deal with, and if I could get through college, then she felt I would be ready. I was insulted at the insinuation that stress had been absent from my life these few years. That my ability to deal with the stress of overcoming depression, addictions, poor eating habits, relationship problems, and even the slow and painful death of a family member from cancer, meant nothing. That somehow, if I could get through college, I would then be worthy of the chance for a much needed tool to loose the almost 250 excess pounds I carry on my body every day. As soon as I got home from the appointment I called Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon New Hampshire, where they were happy to get me in their program, and expressed shock at how I had been treated at my earlier apointment, as well as their request that I come back in six years. I am much happier at Dartmouth, and only wish that when I made the first appointment with Dr. Spaulding, that they had turned me away then, because then I wouldn't have wasted last 10 months. I say wasted, because they didn't even give me a chance to make my case, they knew their decision before I even walked in that door.

I immediatly liked Dr. Spaulding. She cares for her patients and is very attentive to them. I had problems however and had to have six surgeries to try to clear up an infection. When it did not clear, she really did not how to treat me and I ended up at a local surgeon where he order a scan to be done and found a tunnel of infection leading from the original incision down to my abdominal wall muscle. He did surgery on me in Feb. 2004 and I am finally healing. I had my first surgery July, 2002. The staff in her office were great as was she. The dietician program is not good at all. I do not know how much I am suppose to eat and when I asked the dietician, I was told to join weigh watchers. I feel that was not the proper way to handle the problem. They leave you out in the dark after three months. I still have a lot of problems eating certain foods. I was not told the risks of this surgery. I spent 3 1/2 weeks in the hospital. Quite a stay!

Laurie was wonderful from the start! She really is informative, supportive, funny, understanding, and assuring. She tells you the truth about the surgery and the risks and what she thinks the surgery can do for you. Her office has a great team approach with you - the patient - being the team captain.

If you call with a problem she is quick to respond. She listens to you and really knows that we as patients know our bodies.

I have been to some of the support meetings - wish they were more frequent and broken up into smaller groups, but they are good just the same.

I know I was blessed to be referred to her and she is worth the wait to have her do the surgery that changes your life. She lets you know you are in control and you can make the most of opportunities this surgery can provide.

You will not find a more competent surgeon or one more friendly and encouraging! She is your very own angel!

thank you Laurie!! God Bless -

10/01/02 - At my initial visit I found Dr. Spaulding to be humorous and informative. The office staff were kind as well. Dr. Spaulding has a very structured pre- and post-op care program. She emphasizes that this surgery is a life long commitment. She shows a video that covers the risks as well as good nutritional information. I will update again after my next visit.

06/09/03 - I am now 3 weeks post op and can say that my surgery was flawless. I have had zero complications and have never been sick once. I was home from the hospital in 3 days from an open RNY and walking .5 mile daily after 1 week. Dr. Spaulding and her team were excellent to deal with in the surgery and post-op. One of the books I was reading stated that the average open RNY scar was 6 inches. The book also stated that the most skilled surgeons could complete the surgery with a 4 inch opening. I measured my scar and it is 4.25 inches. Dr. Spaulding is a real pro!

I met Dr. Spaulding two weeks ago and was very impressed with her and her knowledge. she put me at ease right away.
I liked most of her staff, but was a little put off by the PHD. Her manner was not as supportive as the rest of the staff.
I enjoyed my first visit, but was quite discouraged to be scheduled for surgery in Jume, 2004!!!!