GP and Psychologists/Psychiatrists in Portland Area

I am looking for referrals of GP's in the Portland are who are sympathetic to people wanting WLS. I also amd looking for names of psychologists/psyciatrists who were open to evaluations for WLS. I appreciate any names you may have.

I started with my GP, Dr. Diane Eardley who is with Providence St. Vincent. She was very helpful in getting me into the Oregon Obesity Institute that is at Good Samaritan Hospital (Legacy). The Institute is set up to meet the demands of the insurance companies. They have nutritionists, physical therapists, psychologist, med. doc, all on staff. They are also linked to Providence Health (if that is what your insurance requires, as mine did). Cammi is their insurance GURU who knows exactly what to say and do for the insurance companies. Once I went through the 6 months doc. supervised dieting (checking in with doc once a month), they set me up with their specialists, all seen in a two day visit. I got approval back in about 3 weeks! I had originally asked for RNY surgery, but then chickened out and asked for Lap Band. The insurance company balked a bit and said they would only approve "23 hours in the hospital, but not an overnight stay." Crazy? I had my Lap Band last Thursday (9-7-06) and got out in 23 hours. My insurance is Cigna, and it seems that to them the most important co-morbidity is Sleep Apnea. That was one of the first tests that my doc scheduled. I've spent nearly a year fumbling around asking exactly the same questions you're asking, but once I got hooked up with the Oregon Obesity Institute, they took the reins and it was easy from there....Now its, walk...sip...walk...sip and get ready to shopping for new clothes.....and more importantly get ready to smile when you look in the mirror! Keep in touch and let me know how your journey goes! Barb in Portland

Hi Barbara, I believe I had my procedure right after you last Thursday. Is Dr. Hong your surgeon? I know originally I was scheduled for the 7:30am surgery because I was a self pay and they said we go first so as to get out of the hospital first but then I was bumped to 9:30 because they said a woman needed a lap band and had to go first.LOL, I think that was you. Now I see why, with the insurance restricting the hours you spent in the hospital. If you are the one I guess the laugh was on us. All of our surgeries were post-poned. I got there at 7:15 only to find out I wasn't scheduled until 2:30pm. Disappointed I didn't get a call to let me know. I asked Dr. Hong if others got a call and he said no, but the lap band procedure had a friend at the hospital who let them know. I know there was a gentleman after me that waited from his scheduled time of noon until 5:30. The wait was my worst nightmare since I was able to keep the jitters down prior. But I was sooo thirsty, then was not able to get my swallow test until 24 hours after surgery. I too was trying to minimize my stay so as not to escalate my bill, ended up leaving Sat. morning. Now I'm sitting here waiting for a call back because I think I have an infection, so not feeling too great and worried about added expenses. I called yesterday to schedule my 4 week appointment and still haven't gotten a call back. My experience with the Oregon Weight Loss Clinic is I believe they probably have a very professional staff, but have always had to make the call backs or didn't hear back. Anyway, would love to hear from you, since you may have been one of my room-mates down the hall. I possibly could have run into you at class or something.

My doctor was also very supportive. She works at the Providence Gateway clinic. Her name is Dr. Heather Beecher. She really is great! She definately does her research and has had a couple of other patients have WLS (she recommends the Legacy group - Patterson, Hong and Jan - because Providence doesn't yet have one of their own). I had my surgery w/Dr. Jan almost a year ago and I have had no complaints about him or the Legacy process (they have two staff psychologists *****view their patients). One psychiatrist to not see is Dr. Jules Altfas. I asked him to forward my records and I was ignored (he'd previously said he didn't agree with surgery). Lori

Funny you should mention Altfas. I went to him years ago when I was on a high protein diet. I wouldn't see him again either. I will not have to worry about insurance because mine doesn't cover weight loss surgery. So I was hoping to maybe find a doctor outside "the program" at Legacy. Not sure if I will be having surgery in that program or going elsewhere, like Coos Bay.

Wow! Who would have though there'd be a group of Altfas people here, lol! Did he put you on Adderall, too? He IS good but you have to look at his motive. He would always ask me if I was sure I wasn't eating in the middle of the night, lol! I don't know about Dr. Tersingi (sp) but I know Coos Bay is a great place to recoup! I love it there (grandparents lived there and I still have a couple of aunts/uncles and cousins). I actually had to go down for a funeral in June and spent time reenergizing at Shore Acres. I wish my husband could get a job down there. I'd love to move (ironic, isn't it -- my dad couldn't wait to get out and I can't wait to go back!). Lori