First Meeting at Legacy in Portland

On March 23rd. I am going for my first meeting with the Legacy Obseity Center. I am a little nervous and really excited. After waiting forever, my husbands insurance through his job will be paying for my surgery. I can't wait. I do understand that this is a tool to help be acheive my weight loss goals. I am considering the lap band. And my surgeon is Emma Patterson. Has anyone else here had Dr. Patterson? Sheryl AKA: Silverthorn

Hello Sheryl, I know how it was to wait forever for insurance to pay for surgery. I waited two years, I finally had to get a lawyer. Anyway,I had the lap band surgery last Monday. Emma Patterson was the surgeon,and I just love her, she is very kind. Everyone that is envolved with the whole process is great. Suzanne

Sheryl Congratulations on taking your first step! I am very eager to have lap band also. I have only met Dr Patterson through one of her seminars but I was recommended to her through a co-worker who had bypass 2 yrs ago. He personal experience was 1000% wonderful regarding Dr Patterson. Her experience with the surgery was also good and the hospital she said was good. Over time, she developed some problems not specifically with the surgery, but malabsorbtion she was experiencing and not being able to get enough of her nutrients. After having gastric bypass, my friend recommended the lap band, and said she would highly recommend Dr Patterson. Her most focused comment: lap band always offers reversal if for some reason your body is not adapting to the changes well...There is no going back with bypass. No matter which way you go, Good Luck and I am praying for your quick recovery. Please Pray that I can get insurance approval because as of right now, it is considered an exclusion of our policy. much love your way--- pamela

Congratulations! I'm 5 weeks out, doing very well. Dr. Emma Patterson was/is my surgeon and she is tops. The hospital is wonderful - I got a private room (with luck you will too), the first time ever. Are you having RNY? Lapband? The nurses take very good care of patients and I was impressed. I wasn't in too much pain - had the morphine pump, but had to be reminded to use it. The only unpleasant part was taking my meds all pulverized in solution. Yuk. If you have any questions I could answer, I'd be happy to help. You will do wonderfully!

You got a private room?!? WAAAAAAHHHHHH! I'm jealous! I had to share with a woman who had gallbladder surgery earlier in the day. And she was cold. I didn't realize it but, by the time I left the next morning, the room was over 92 degreessssssss!!!!! No wonder I couldn't sleep well and was so hoooootttt! And I normally run cold anyway. I couldn't wait to get out of there! I didn't have much complaint for the aftercare but I rarely saw my nurses and no one came by to make me walk, either. I actually got yelled at one time when I went to the bathroom without calling them first but I tried earlier and almost wet myself waiting on them. I wouldn't say I had a bad experience. I just was so drugged I may not have done what I was supposed to do, either... Still, a much better experience than my family has had at SW Washington Medical Center... Lori

I had Dr. Jan. I haven't had a problem or complaint about the program at all. I've met Dr. Hong and Dr. Patterson, too. I can say that there isn't much worth being nervous over -- yet. Its great that you know insurance will be there for you, too. I had lap band done in Oct. 2005. I also had a high BMI -- 65. It is slowly going down (but I am a really slow loser and I don't mind -- because I'm not gaining!). Good luck on your upcoming meeting! Lori