More Than a Surgeon

I initially saw Dr Baldwin for a reduction of one of my breasts, and a lift of both. In the first consultation, just by looking at me, he noted that I also had split abs and required an abdominoplasty. He booked me in, and surgeries were completed. That should have been the end of it, but life had other plans. The abdominoplasty stitches did not hold, the skin around the wound was dying, and Mark took me in for surgery that very day to restitch. That same evening, freshly sewn, I felt something snap. I had thought the worst, and the following week at my check-up, my fears (and Dr. Baldwin's) were confirmed. The wound had re-opened. Dr Baldwin very honestly informed me that there was not enough skin to cut and restitch again. Therefore, for what felt like months, I visited the surgical nurse (the wonderful Connie) every Tuesday, and some weeks I'd be there on other days too. She would remove bloody dressings, clean the wounds, and redress for them. Each time, Mark would enter and we would all hope it was improving but it was not. Dr. Baldwin started to explore possible reasoning behind my poor healing, and at one point mentioned 'Cushings Syndrome' to himself, but proceeded to tell me this was very rare and unlikely. I went home, I researched, and the symptoms aligned with everything I had been experiencing for years. No doctors had believed me the numerous instances that I explained something was wrong, and this continued to be the case when I asked for referrals from specialists to have scans and tests done. I went to a GP, obtained referrals but paid out of pocket for everything, and I found my tumour. Dr Baldwin was correct. It was a journey after this, and the second half of 2024 was spent in and out of surgeries. Dr Baldwin had not given up, and suggested a skin graft, and ... it took. The hole in my stomach that I had for so long, closed up. Through another surgeon, the tumour was removed, and so started a new health journey. Dr Baldwin met with me, and explained that we could carry out touch up surgery, as the scars left on my body left me self-conscious, and served as a reminder of a very long and terrible journey. At the end of February this year, he performed this surgery, and today I met with him for my 5 week check-up. Thanks to his intelligence, and problem solving skills, he essentially saved not only my life, but my confidence, and I now have beautiful straight and clean scars, that over time will fade. In a world where the medical system had failed me, Dr Baldwin gave me hope, he believed me, he listened, and he cared. He never gave up on me, and for that I will remain eternally grateful. If you're looking for a surgeon who is incredible at what he does, but also sticks with you to make sure you see the whole journey through to the end, Mark is that and more. I believe this journey will stay with me 'always'.