Frustrating Afternoon

Yesterday I had to go up to Portland for an appointment to meet with Dr Jan at 4pm.  We left Salem at 2:45 to get to OWLS at 3:45 and then didn't get brought back to a room until 5:00pm.  My mom came with me so she could ask questions.  The first person to come in was one of the fellowships.  I couldn't understand what he said his name was but he would not be getting on my good side.  I understand he is there to learn but all he did was pretend to look at my chart, ask me if I got weighed and asked a bunch of really stupid questions like "you're insurance company approved you"?  Well yes, that is why I am here and why I am having surgery on Friday.  Even my mother was getting annoyed.  Finally Dr. Jan came in and my mother asked if "he" was performing the surgery and he stated yes.  My mother and I both felt tons better after this.  So far, I like Dr. Jan.  I am not, however, thrilled with the fellowship student.

Leslie - sorry you had a bad experience.  I saw no one but the nurse and then Dr. O'Rourke at OHSU.  Well, that was until AFTER I saw Dr. O-Rourke. Then they sent in the NP to talk to me about one of the studies they are doing, then I went to see a research associate about a couple more studies, then I saw the pyschologist about another study!  It was okay though.  I plan to participate in them all.  They are working with the National Institute of Health to try to find out all sorts of things about weight loss surgery and obesity.  Someday they may have a cure for this!  Everyone at OHSU has been great.  I really like the set up and the people are really nice. Linda

Linda, I am with you, my experience at OHSU has been nothing but tremendous.  Dr. Deveney has been kind, caring, considerate, attentive and patient.  Susan, has been helpful, available to my every call (and recently that has been a lot) and kind.  Dr. Deveney's staff, including the week-end emergency attending doctors have been incredibly helpful, insightful, comforting and yet really have been careful to tell me warning signs to watch for.  Every time I am at OHSU, the experience has been fabulous.  I was there on Monday and Tuesday to see Dr. Deveney and have a proceedure done - I couldn't be happier with the treatment and care that I get there.  Even with the students and interns in both research and that work in Deveney's office.  If you get the chance to spend any time with Chad, one of the people who discuss the research projects, you will find him delightful! I do hope your next experience will be better, Leslie!

Leslie, I'm sorry you had a bad experience.  I have to say I haven't.  But I've already had my surgery and now they're crazy busy -- especially since Dr. Hong left and more and more people are asking for surgery or getting their insurance to pay for it. I was in the office on Monday and didn't have much of a wait (but I was there pretty early in the morning and only to check to see if I needed a fill in my band). I would definitely let the office manager know about your struggles if you didn't already express your concerns. About the fellows, well, most of the places locally are busy training others on how to do these surgeries (or they're part of their surgical rotation).  I've encountered a few -- some at OWLS and others at OHSU.  I just take what they say with a grain of salt and wait until the "real" doctor shows up. I've had to answer some pretty stupid questions before.  Want to try something fun?  Let a student try to give you a trans-vaginal ultrasound.  Now THAT'S exciting!  Not!  Ouchie! Anyway, I have found Dr. Jan to be very supportive and I have no complaints.  You shouldn't have much to worry about.  If you have any concerns, please do call the clinic.  They are there to help you. Good luck on Friday! Lori