Dr. Matthew Palmer

Patient Feedback

Patterns Across Patient Feedback

Endometriosis Focus

Endometriosis as a Defined Focus Within a Gynecologic Surgery Practice

Dr. Palmer is the director of the endometriosis specialty program at Oakdale OBGYN, part of Premier Women's Health of Minnesota, with surgery performed primarily at Maple Grove Hospital and clinic locations in Maple Grove, Plymouth, and Blaine. Endometriosis is listed as a special interest alongside uterine fibroids, pelvic organ prolapse, and urinary incontinence, so this is a defined focus within a broader gynecologic surgery practice rather than an endometriosis-only clinic.

Public statements describe building a practice centered on comprehensive, excision-based endometriosis care after observing how few options existed for this in the region. The practice reports a high volume of endometriosis patients, including referrals from other physicians and patients traveling from out of state. Several patient accounts describe complex and recurrent disease being taken on, including cases where earlier surgery elsewhere had not resolved symptoms.

Multidisciplinary Approach

In-House Dietitian and Pelvic Floor PT, With Surgical Specialists for Complex Cases

The practice describes a team-based approach as central to endometriosis care. A dietitian focused on anti-inflammatory strategies has worked with the practice's endometriosis patients for many years, and two full-time pelvic floor physical therapists see patients at the Maple Grove and Blaine locations, with reported wait times of one to two weeks. Pelvic floor physical therapy and nutrition are often started during the waiting period before surgery.

For complex cases, general and colorectal surgeons are brought in when bowel involvement is suspected, and patients with fertility questions or conditions such as PCOS are referred to reproductive specialists, including partners within the practice. Hormonal management, pain management, and mental health support are described as parts of a broader maintenance plan after surgery.

Diagnosis Methods

Detailed Intake, With Imaging Treated as Supportive Rather Than Definitive

New patients complete a detailed intake questionnaire covering symptom, menstrual, bladder, sexual health, surgical, and medication history before being scheduled, which the practice describes as a way to understand and triage each case before the first visit. Public statements are clear that a normal ultrasound or MRI does not rule out endometriosis, and that diagnosis ultimately depends on what is seen and treated during surgery. Imaging is still used because it can occasionally reveal useful information, with MRI ordered when deeply infiltrating disease affecting the colon is strongly suspected, and colonoscopy used selectively. The stated emphasis is on a thorough history and symptom picture, with imaging treated as supportive rather than definitive.

Educational Presence

Active Educational Presence Through Talks, Articles, and a Research Contribution

Educational presence is steady and centered on endometriosis, mostly through talks and articles rather than a personally run social media following. A long question-and-answer session was recorded with the Minnesota Endo Warriors, a nonprofit endometriosis group that also lists the practice as a resource, covering surgery, diagnosis, hormones, fertility, and recovery in depth. A separate practice video explains the endometriosis intake process.

An interview on the VNEW Health Podcast and a 2023 appearance on the Time To Talk Period podcast both focus on recognizing and managing endometriosis and choosing an endometriosis provider. A featured panel role at the Unified Elevate 2026 OBGYN conference addressed endometriosis care, though this is self and employer reported.

A patient-facing article on the North Memorial and Maple Grove Hospital site explains endometriosis and makes the case for excision over ablation. Two regional physician trade-press articles on improving endometriosis outcomes are listed on the practice pages, though these are not peer-reviewed. One peer-reviewed publication is confirmed, a 2026 multicenter study in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology validating a blood-based test intended to help detect endometriosis earlier, on which Dr. Palmer is listed as a contributing author. A personal account exists on X but has no posts as of June 2026, and no personally run endometriosis social media account was identified.

Post-Surgical Care

Staged Follow-Up With a Long-Term Maintenance Plan

Follow-up is described as staged. A first post-operative visit happens at about two weeks, with the next visit usually around three months out, the reasoning being that the body needs a few cycles and time for pelvic floor physical therapy and any hormonal strategy to take effect before results can be judged. Patients are encouraged to return to fine-tune their plan rather than expecting a single fix.

After surgery, a maintenance plan is built around three areas: hormonal management, anti-inflammatory and other pain management, and supportive care such as physical therapy, nutrition, acupuncture, or massage, with opioids generally avoided. Whether hormonal suppression is recommended depends on a patient's goals, and it is generally not started right after surgery for patients trying to conceive. In some accounts, follow-up care is shared with a colleague when the schedule requires it, with the surgeons reported to confer on the case.

Philosophy and Fit

Excision Plus Hormonal Management as Part of a Multidisciplinary Plan

The stated philosophy holds that surgery is central but not sufficient on its own, and that the best results usually come from combining thorough excision with a longer-term, multidisciplinary plan. Hormonal management is treated as a key part of that plan rather than something to avoid, with continuous hormonal suppression described as a way to keep estrogen steady and reduce flares. This view sits closer to the middle of the field than the excision-only position some patients prefer, and patients with strong feelings about hormonal treatment will want to raise that directly.

Public statements also emphasize honesty about uncertainty, a stated effort to avoid unnecessary repeat surgeries, and willingness to bring in other specialists or step back from disease outside the surgeon's comfort zone. Care is framed around each patient's goals, whether focused on pain, function, or fertility.