G. Wright Bates, M.D.

Dr. Bates saved my uterus. Seriously. I had two fibroid tumors (these are mostly benign tumors that can develop in the uterus) the size of a peach each. I walked around with these nasty tumor twins for over a year because I couldn’t find a decent gyno. The two doctors I saw prior to UAB told me it was gas, yeast or just weight gain. No tests, ultrasounds, etc were done. Then a childhood friend pointed me in the direction of UAB Women & Infants Center. The type of surgery I had is the latest robotic surgery using the da Vinci technology. This means the surgery is minimally invasive. You won’t scar hardly, as the incisions are small and few. Basically, fibroids are cut up and sucked out. And in most cases, you keep your uterus.
Dr. Bates met with me promptly after Dr. Blackwell diagnosed me. I was in surgery within two weeks. I’m healing well and relieved to have my tummy getting back to its old, pre-​tumor self. My surgery was this past Thursday. Dr. Bates and his assisting doctor (Dr. Pier) were compassionate and actually listened to my needs. They didn’t treat me with the typical one-​size-​fits-​all medical mentality. I have scar tissue in my urethra from trauma and interstitial cystitis, so I had to have the catheter taken out while I was still under general anesthesia. This isn’t common practice, but Dr. Bates listened to me and made sure I never knew the catheter was there. He called me a week before and had a personal conversation regarding my needs and worries. I felt like I could really trust this man. Trust is not something I give easily.
I told every nurse I saw the entire time, while being prepped for surgery, about my needs regarding my allergy to opioids and instructions regarding the catheter. You must be your own advocate in hospitals. But it was really awesome and very cool that Dr. Bates backed me up the entire way. He made sure no morphine drip was near me, and that I didn’t wake up in panic and pain due to some nurse not following our instructions. Dr. Bates also managed to avoid cutting my artwork (tattoos). I have a white rabbit tatted below my belt line that I was concerned about. It’s a tat of my Alice; she passed earlier this year. I’ve never had a doctor be such an advocate for me. Dr. Bates also called me Saturday to check on me. It’s a mark of integrity when a doctor, especially a surgeon, interacts so personally with a patient. Dr. Bates is a prince among men, a king among doctors.