Birgit Scarberry of Hartsville is more than happy to share her thoughts on Plastic Surgeon Dr. Gerald Conner and the “awesome” level of personal attention she recently received at McLeod Medical Center Darlington. Birgit is so pleased with the results of her cosmetic surgery that she thinks everyone should consider receiving their care from Dr. Conner and the staff at McLeod Darlington.

Dr. Conner previously performed a bilateral mastopexy, a reduction of the breasts and lift procedure, on Birgit earlier this year. When she returned to him in May for an abdominoplasty or “tummy tuck,” he suggested that she have her operation performed at McLeod Medical Center Darlington. Dr. Conner began performing surgery at McLeod Darlington in May of 2006. Birgit became his first patient in Darlington.

“I had been anxious to have this procedure performed for a long time, but I had so much scar tissue from previous abdominal surgeries including a ruptured appendix, small bowel perforation, tubal pregnancy and hysterectomy that it concerned several physicians I had seen. All of these operations had taken a toll on my abdomen. Additionally, I was very unhappy with my appearance because as time goes on gravity pulls your stomach down and out,” explained Birgit.

Dr. Conner explained that scar tissue makes this operation harder to perform and a little riskier.

Birgit had faith that Dr. Conner might be the one physician who could help her after she learned of his medical background. “He had been at other big hospitals and I figured he had seen patients like me before. I left his office crying tears of joy the day he told me that he could do the surgery.”

Dr. Conner completed his surgical residency at the University of Massachusetts and his plastic surgery residency at the University of Miami in Florida.

Dr. Conner and his staff see performing surgery at McLeod Medical Center Darlington as a cost efficient alternative for the patient. When necessary, it offers the support of a full spectrum of acute and tertiary care services at nearby McLeod Regional Medical Center.

Dr. Conner added, “The Darlington facility is also private, and I like the nurses. I currently perform surgery on Fridays and I hope to do more cases there in the future.”

Having grown up in the small town of Newnan, Georgia, he compared the facility in Darlington to the special flavor of hospitals he remembers growing up. “It feels like home when you enter the facility.”

Birgit said, “I always thought the medical center in Darlington was a long-term care facility. I didn’t know they were performing surgery there. The level of care they provide at McLeod Medical Center Darlington is an extremely personalized service. The staff is very, very friendly and immediately put you and your family members at ease. The OR staff even allowed my husband to stay with me right up until I was taken back to surgery.”

When Dr. Conner first told Birgit about the opportunity to have her surgery performed in Darlington, he invited her to go to the hospital and meet “the girls” in the OR. “When I went to see the girls I had no idea he was referring to seasoned nurses. I loved the ‘girls.’ They were just wonderful. They were there when I woke up from surgery to hold my hand and alleviate the pain. They also came by to see me the next morning to check on me,” said Birgit.

The nurses in the OR at McLeod Medical Center Darlington include Sue Ball, RN; Kathleen Campbell, CST; Sissy Drew, RN, PCS; Lillie Mae Johnson, LPN; Nancy Vivian, RN; and Donna Weatherford, RN. Collectively, these nurses have a combined 195 years of service to the hospital. In addition, the surgical nurse who greets patients prior to surgery provides care to them from arrival to recovery.

Birgit learned about Dr. Conner last fall in McLeod Magazine and SHE Magazine. “I really appreciated the fact that in addition to being a doctor he was also an artist. The artistic approach he referred to in those articles impressed me, and I was touched by the statement he made about inner beauty. I thought if he can paint, then he can reconstruct my body.”

Dr. Conner was quoted in those articles as saying, “It’s essential for a good plastic surgeon to have an eye for aesthetic beauty. In my opinion, enhancing a patient’s self image and sense of well-being is one of the most remarkable achievements in medicine.”

Birgit was also impressed that Dr. Conner was there for her when she had a question or concern after surgery even during the weekend. “He was not upset if I called, it was no big deal to him.

“I totally respect Dr. Conner. He is the kind of doctor who tells you, ‘yes I can do that’ or ‘no I can’t.’ He prepares you for what you can expect during the procedure,” said Birgit.

She added, “He has put up with a lot from me and I love him dearly for that. My husband also felt comfortable with him. He made him feel very relaxed. Dr. Conner is such a wonderful person. I would encourage anyone to see him as long as they are prepared to hear the truth. And, he will tell you the truth. He is not going to tell you that you’ll look 18. He told me that he couldn’t give me an 18-year-old’s stomach but I told him that a 25-year-old’s would do nicely,” Birgit quipped.

A medical surgical nurse for a nearby hospital, Birgit stayed overnight at McLeod Medical Center Darlington following her surgery. “My husband felt fine leaving me there and I felt comfortable with the nurses taking care of me. They were all really good and very friendly. I would encourage anyone to have their surgery at McLeod Darlington. The personal attention you receive at McLeod Medical Center Darlington is awesome. Every staff member I encountered was smiling from the front desk to registration -- throughout the hospital. Everyone seemed happy and generally concerned about me and my family,” said Birgit.

Birgit is also pleased with the physical results of her surgery. “I’ve lost ten inches from my waist since surgery and I’m still losing. I’ve also enjoyed buying new clothes. I’ve gone from size 18 jeans to size 10 to 12 now,” Birgit proudly stated. Dr. Conner added that she would continue to lose inches over the next six months. He explained that most of the swelling goes down in four weeks but it continues for months.

Birgit was able to return to work in four weeks and in June she became in her words, “one hot grandmother” with the arrival of her first grandchild. Proudly adding that the baby looks just like her.

“My mom was recently here from Germany and she was very impressed with Dr. Conner and my surgery. She said she would have to come back next year and have Dr. Conner perform a procedure on her based on my results,” added Birgit.

Dr. Conner provides many cosmetic procedures at McLeod Medical Center Darlington including:

• body contouring, which includes tummy tucks and liposuction
• breast augmentation or the enlargement/reduction of the breast
• all aspects of cosmetic surgery including face, eye, forehead and breast lifts