Recommended Doctor
Lawrence Jay CARPENTER MD
Obstetrics & Gynecology - Alabama Mobile

The gynecologist I had been seeing was on vacation when I needed to schedule my annual examination. I knew from a co-worker that he was planning to retire in a couple of years, so when the receptionist told me he wasn't available, I asked her to recommend someone else in the practice I would feel comfortable with, and most importantly, be my gynecologist "for life". She recommended Dr. Carpenter. From the moment he walked into the examination room, I felt I had found the "perfect" gynecologist. He always asks me how I've been doing and if I'm having any problems, even though they might not be gynecologically-related. When it came time for my hysterectomy, I really didn't want to have an abdominal one. He suggested the LAVH and wanted to be sure I was a candidate for it. At that time an ultrasound revealed my uterus was too large, but Zoladex injections could shrink it. Dr. Carpenter had his nurse phone the insurance company to see if they would cover the expense and what I would have to pay. Once my uterus was the "optimal" size for an LAVH, I had to decide what to do about my ovaries. I asked him what he would suggest for his wife and/or mother. He said he would remove them, especially since I was experiencing perimenopause. Dr. Carpenter visited me twice a day in the hospital. The night of my surgery, before I could ask, he said I might have a bit more discomfort on my left side because either my tube or ovary (I don't remember which) had adhered to my intestine.

I always ask him, "What would you suggest your wife and/or mother do?" I trust him with the choices we've made together--surgery type and my HRT. I haven't had a single hot flash or night sweat. He also appreciates it that I'm an informed patient. I've given him the information about Hystersisters to pass on to his hysterectomy patients.