A thorough and calming physician alleviates patient’s ailments

What Lompoc Health patient Dawn Smith appreciated the most about her appointments with Dr. Eugene Kaplan was his thoroughness. 

Dawn suffered for years from medical issues related to gynecological matters and wanted some relief. She found Dr. Kaplan, a specialist in urogynecology who sees patients at North Third Center. 

Dawn had lived for many years with both endometriosis and adenomyosis, gynecologic conditions that cause endometrial tissue in the lining of the uterus to grow into the muscular wall of the uterus. The conditions enlarge the uterus and may lead to heavy menstrual bleeding. 

Because she had a career as a Medical Assistant, Dawn found that some providers skip over details and medical information when she is being seen as a patient, assuming she understands what’s happening medically. But Dr. Kaplan, she said, went into detail and covered everything she wanted to know. 

“I went into his office, and he wanted to go over everything,” she recalls. “He listened to my whole history, asked questions, then told me a variety of options. He drew out how the procedures would be. I left there feeling informed and comfortable moving forward with our plan.” 

Ultimately, Dr. Kaplan gave Dawn something that delighted her: "He offered me different options,” she said. 

It was a huge change from her previous medical experiences. As a military spouse who moved often, she saw a variety of physicians and specialists at her family’s various bases. 

In Georgia, she saw an obstetrician to try and determine what was causing her so many health problems. 

“They couldn’t figure out what was going on,” she says. “They kept telling me my ultrasound was normal and there was nothing else that could be done.’” 

When she came to Lompoc and found Dr. Kaplan, her life changed. 

“He was very thorough,” she recalls. “He wanted to make sure my questions were answered. After explaining all the options, he said, ‘Go think about it, see if you have questions and make your decision.’” 

She found his demeanor to be calming, she added. 

After discussing these options with Dr. Kaplan, Dawn decided to move forward with a vaginal hysterectomy. She and Dr. Kaplan felt this was the best option due to age, and overall longevity of relief.  

After the procedure, Dr. Kaplan felt it was best to keep her as an inpatient to monitor pain and ensure that everything was going to plan before sending her home. Dr. Kaplan was not in a hurry to send her home and wanted to ensure that she felt comfortable and strong enough to be on her own.   

Not long after her surgery, Dawn had some abnormal pain in the middle of the night. She called the “on-call” physician and Dr. Kaplan ended up taking her call, as he does with many of his patients. After she apologized to him for the pre-dawn call, Dr. Kaplan told her “You went through hard surgery. Call me any time.” 

It has been about nine months since her hysterectomy and Dawn says she is doing great. 

“It has been such a relief to no longer have extreme pain multiple times a month due to gynecological issues,” she said. 

She added that she “is so lucky to have met Dr. Kaplan and has no regrets other than not meeting him sooner.” 

Dawn had several surgeries at LVMC, including gallbladder and appendix removal surgery. She also underwent bariatric surgery and lost 105 pounds. 

“The perioperative team, pre-op to post-op was amazing. Everyone was so sweet, so caring … they made me feel like I was a member of their family. LVMC is a safe and clean facility, and I would recommend it to anyone and everyone.”