No CoI for Good Sam in Corvallis

They were denied this designation. So now I guess it's gonna be OHSU or Legacy for me. Bah. I didn't really want to have to drive up there, especially with a spouse who's less than 100% supportive, not to mention the time and expense. I'll probably go with OHSU because the department I work for at OSU has an affiliation with them (not the med school part).  It won't make any difference in reference to cost or quality of care, but who knows, maybe someone up there can put in a good word for me! Heavy sigh.

Hi,  I live in Albany and just had a RNY 5/18 at Legacy in Portland. I have had a good experience with them. If you can, I suggest you try it! If you have any questions, feel free to ask me! Kristal

I am trying to decide which place to use in Portland too.  I have had several responses for using OHSU, but my Dr. recommended Dr. Patterson at Legacy.   How many trips did you have to make to Portland?  How compassionate were the staff at Legacy.  Would you recommend them?  Anything else you are willing to share?   Why did you choose RNY?  Thanks so much!  Brandon

Hi Brandon! My PCP recommended Dr. Patterson and I had one of the surgeons on her team, Dr. Jay Jan, do my surgery. There is a separate office, Legacy Good Samaritan Obesity Institute, that handles all the pre-op tests and other requirements (counseling, dietician, physical therapist, etc.) for Dr. Patterson's group. They are next door to each other, which makes it convenient.  I really liked the staff at both places, and thought they were really good about doubling up on appointments so that I didn't have to drive so much. I drove up once a month in November/December (to do my pre-op nutrition counseling set forth by insurance), 2 times in January to complete tests, once in March for surgical consult, twice in May (once for hospital pre-admissions appt & post-op class and the other for surgery!). The Legacy Good Samaritan hospital staff where I had my surgery were WONDERFUL!! I loved all my nurses, they were very caring and compassionate. I have been in the hospital three times at different places, I did not experience such kind and caring nursing staff as I did at Legacy. I chose RNY because I know it is what worked best for my situation. One big reason I didn't like the idea of the BAND is because I didn't want to have to get 'fills' every couple of months. I have a hard enough time just remembering to schedule my yearly exam!!! LOL! Good luck in your journey! Let me know if you have any other questions! Kristal

Hi ncreel, I live in Corvallis and work at OSU too. I'm not sure if we've ever met or not.  Anyway, I had my surgery at OHSU with Dr. Deveney and it went great.  I was home after only a two day stay in the hospital. I'm doing great, and have lost 55 pounds since February 23rd.  Dr. Deveney is not a big talker though, because he's extremely busy and always on the go. He's the head of the Division of General Surgery at OHSU, so he rarely spends much time chatting with his patients, but he has a great nurse practicitioner, Susan Fee, who is extremely knowledgeable, friendly and supportive. Even though Dr. Deveney isn't very talkative, he makes up for that with his surgical skills.  I had a rather difficult surgery...meaning I had to have a previous surgery for GERD (called a Nissen Fundoplication) converted into a RnY gastric bypass.  I was almost certain Dr. Deveney would have to open me up to do this operation.  However, he was able to do the surgery laporascopically and I had very little pain after the surgery was completed. VERY LITTLE. I was able to move about easily and walk without any pain at all after the second day. I won't say that everything went easy, but it was much easier than I thought it would be. I didn't want to make that trip to Portland either, but it was probably the best decision I've ever made in my life.  I only wish I had made the decision to have this surgery much sooner in my life.  I knew a long time ago that dieting was not going to be the final answer for me, but I was too afraid to have this surgery and I thought it was a mental problem that I needed to overcome. If I knew then what I know now...I would not have waited so long to have this surgery.  Getting used to my new body is a real challenge, though, so you/ll have to be ready for that challenge and face it with a positive attitude. I have had some tough moments post surgery, a few times...having experienced dumping syndrome a couple of times, or eating too quickly or too much, but as long as I'm very careful, I do just fine. The bottom line is, no one else knows what you're going through better than you, so listen to your own heart on this one.  This surgery is definitely a radical choice, so you have to be prepared for it.  In any event, I wish you all the best in whatever choice you make.  However, if you decide to have the surgery at OHSU, I know you'll be in good hands.  Please take extremely good care of yourself! DAL

By the way, ncreel, I think the correct designation is CoE, which stands for Center of Excellence.  OHSU certainly lived up to that standard in my case, but I would talk to others who have had their surgery there before making your decision.  Legacy may be just as good if not better for all I know.  I only know that my whole experience prior to and post surgery at OHSU has been excellent.  If you have any questions about my personal experience, just let me know. DAL

You're right, CoE is correct. I usually check my typing, but not this time, huh! Thanks to everyone who has replied. It's going to be a tough decision - both hospitals sound great. I'll keep reading posts here in the coming months to help me with my decision.

I'm not sure what all goes into the designation fo a CoE, but I have had good experiences with both Good Sam in Corvallis w/ Dr. Read and with OHSU, but for PS. I know the program has been expanded at OHSU.  Dr. Patterson is often times booked way in advance because she has been doing the surgery for such a long period of time that other Dr. in the Portland and surrounding areas are familiar with her.  The OHSU Doctors are also excellant.  You should however look at several things when making your decision: 1)  What is the long term follow through care program?  What support systems will be in place for you through their programs?  How long do they follow you? 2)  How competent is the surgeon?  It really doesn't matter how friendly he is.  What matters is his skill as a surgeon and his attention to detail.  What is his or her record?  Do they take on more challenging patients? 3)  The over-all attitude within the Dr. office of understanding the needs and problems of the morbidly obese.  Do they have the attitude that if weight loss slows greatly that YOU are screwing up or are they able to look at things objectively and say, lets find a solution to this problem. 4)  Let's face it....cost.  If you are self pay this HAS to be part of the equation. 5)  Over-all rating of the hospital facility. 6)  Opinions of others who have used the same facilities and surgeon. Good luck.  They are both good choices and what it will come down to is investigative work on your part. Trisha