The Surgeon

A Motivational Message from Urogynecologist, Richard M. Wood, M.D.:

 

Stop changing pads and let me change your life!

I am an Urogynecologist which is a sub-specialist surgeon who treats bladder and bowel control problems.   While both issues are extremely destructive to trying to maintain an active and healthy life style, they are often successfully eliminated via simple treatments.

Can’t control your urine or bowels?

My training and career choice may be the best thing that has ever happened to you.

Please do not feel ashamed over your poorly functioning body parts. They are simply functions that you have no control over and that need a helping hand. The odds are that if your arm were broken, you would not hesitate to seek the help you need. The conditions I treat should be no different. The most common sentiment I hear from my patients is that they felt at ease from their first phone call. They appreciated the personal care and female based expertise they received. Many report a past experience of sitting in large Urology practice where the group of doctors and assistants they encountered were experts in male based problems. They also found it quite upsetting to be sitting in a busy waiting room full of unfortunate males with prostate and impotence problems. My practice serves as a refuge in that there are no assistants or partners. My training is exclusively female based and aimed at correcting bowel and bladder conditions. You get the attention you deserve. Rest assured, I am an expert where you need it most.

My career centers around quickly putting you back into the driver’s seat so you can get back to the business of enjoying life’s blessings to the fullest. My extensive experience in bladder control has resulted in 95% success rates for several thousand women from many states and several countries. Treatments for control over bowels (stool/feces) are also quite successful.  Success comes from exercise, medical, and minimally invasive surgical therapies. When needed I am current with all of the latest minimally invasive surgeries as well as classic treatments. Surgical options for stress urinary incontinence include the MMK (no mesh) or TVT (uses mesh). Overactive bladder and poorly functioning bladders and bowels may be helped by the innovative Interstim, a neuromodulator which is known as a pacemaker for bladder and bowels. I also provide additional surgical therapies for bowel control such as Anal Sphincteropalsty and Secca which is the latest in fecal incontinence therapy.

You will notice my web site lacks extensive details regarding the many terms and conditions associated bladder and bowel control conditions.  That’s because the more you surf the web, the more you may question what your problem is, whether or not you need exercise, dietary changes, a pill, or perhaps surgery. Many of you may come to believe the common, incorrect sentiment that you must simply accept and live with your problem. My goal is to inspire you to get an appropriate evaluation and accurate diagnosis from which we can establish a treatment plan tailored to your needs. Your first office consultation will empower you with the knowledge of what is happening within your body, but most  importantly it will outline a plan for you to take back control over your life.

Bladder control conditions affect nearly half of all of women. The happy truth is that a majority of women with bladder control problems can have their conditions resolved.  The sad truth is that for many reasons, those with bladder and bowel control conditions needlessly choose to suffer in silence. I would like you to look at the video interviews under Testimonials to see two joyous women who chose not to remain silent.

Personally, I grew up in Connecticut and completed training at Yale New Haven Hospital in 1998.  I was a National Health Service Corps Scholar and left Yale to work with the under served women of Southern Ohio for three years.  After having children, my wife and I made the decision to move to  New York’s Hudson Valley to be closer to our families.  All the while I have pursued training and remained current with the innovations in the field of Urogynecology with a specific emphasis on incontinence therapies.  In 2002,  I established an exceptionally unique practice and since that time have been providing the most  effective and least invasive surgeries in the world.  I will personally care for you from start to finish so don’t be surprised when I answer the office phone.  Should you opt for surgical treatment, you will return home the same day ready to get back to work and life quickly.  The ages of my clients range from teens to the oldest of 99. My oldest client advised me, “Dr. Wood, even if I only live another 6 months, I deserve a chance at having bladder control.” I agreed and she underwent a successful, 10-minute TVT surgery. The last I heard she was 102 doing fine. My sole purpose is to improve the quality of your life so that you may quickly get back into the saddle, onto the trampoline, or whatever makes you happy.

At the office, the only other person you will meet or speak with is my office nurse, Deb Brown who loves her job as much as I do.  Deb has worked by my side since 2002.  We are located in the beautiful New York Hudson River Valley in the vicinity of Rhinebeck, NY which boasts quaint Inns, specialty shops, spas and quality restaurants for you to enjoy.  We have a lot of experience arranging surgery for long distance travelers and it is our pleasure to coordinate care while accommodating individual schedules.

Outside of my career, I am blessed with a wonderful wife and four sons.  I also enjoy working on horsemanship with my very sweet Friesian.  This is all in the midst of being an avid do it yourself  home/building remodeler.  One of my proudest remodeling projects was my Kingston location where I converted a derelict building into a beautiful space.

There is a heart warming documentary called, “Walk to Beautiful” which illustrates the devastating effects of incontinence on the women of Africa and the rewarding career paths of those who help them.  I encourage you to watch this documentary. Women of the U.S.A. need not be in the position of these African women, but sadly many adopt a defeating, self-imposed exile by not seeking help.

I am looking  forward to meeting you:

Richard M. Wood, MD