Info needed

I received my packet of information in the mail today from my insurance company.  As I suspected, the will not cover my surgery if I have it at Sacred Heart in Eugene.  I need to travel to either Portland or Bend. I am opting for Portland, as I don't like crossing the Cascades.....but don't like the freeways in Portland either.   I am wondering how you all decided which place to have surgery on Portland.  My two options are OHSU or Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital?  Would love to hear opinions........ I made appointments at both......thought I might get a feel for either place that way.  Thanks so much  Brandon

Hi Brandon - I chose OHSU for a couple of reasons.  One is they are a teaching/research hospital with an excellent reputation and they have extra incentive to have excellent results (well, I know all docs want their patients to do well, but there's just a little added umph there).  Second, I have BCBS of Oregon and I went to their website.  They have a 'My Regence' thing where you can enter the type of treatment you're looking for and get ratings on hospitals/doctors.  OHSU came out ahead on every aspect of bariatric surgery.  They have a big team of people working for them.  They are very busy, but they are also fairly quick to respond to questions and help resolve getting all the paperwork in.  So far, I am very happy with every aspect of the way I've been treated there. Linda

bran, I went with OHSU for similar reasons, and I'd heard great things about their docs.  Legacy is supposed to have good docs too, but I liked the idea of OHSU hospital better. Michele

I went with Legacy because they don't have the same liability caps that OHSU has if something were to go wrong and because Dr. Patterson and her team are on the cutting edge of research that, at the time, has surpassed OHSU's research. I already go to OHSU for other things so I really researched this well.  The choice is ultimately yours, though. I have had no real complaints -- except that my sister's brother-in-law got to see me naked in the OR (he works in the anesthesia department). Actually, he's part of the reason for Legacy, too.  I had two other minor procedures at OHSU and I had panic attacks during the set up for surgery in the OR.  That didn't happen at Legacy.  Don't know why, exactly, but I'm grateful for it. The choice is really up to you. Lori

I've chosen Legacy, too.  I felt comfortable with their doctors and info session.  I read a lot on these bb's by doing searches of each hospital.  I saw more concerns with long waits and support staff at OHSU.  I haven't been banded yet, but I have met Dr. Patterson and have done all my pre-op, and Legacy has been great so far. Melanie

Thank you all for your input.  I met yesterday with my primary care physician, and he recommended Dr. Patterson to me.  In the past, when he has made recommendations, I have always been pleased with the results.  I am leaning more and more towards Legacy. Do have my initial information meeting set up, but it is still three weeks away. I tried to get the meeting in Eugene to count saving me that long drive, but they wouldn't even consider it. I attended another meeting at our local bariatric center last night, with the son of a friend...long story, but garnered even more information and it only solidified my decision.  I asked a ton of questions, which is extremely unusual for me especially in a group setting.  But, I am realizing more and more, I have to tackle this problem head on, with me in the drivers seat. So, I am feeling extremely positive about my decision. As a side note, there was a woman who attended the meeting last night.  She was not overweight by any means...I thought to myself, wonder why she is here.  She certainly doesn't need to lose any weight....turns out, she gave a testimonial about her weight loss experience.  I had to chuckle ...........