Just moved to Portland

Hi. I just moved to Portland and am looking for a bariatric surgeon who takes medicare. Does anyone know of any? My 1 year surgiversary was 5 days ago (-120lbs!!) and I need to get my first year check check-up. I'd appreciate any help you can give. I also would like to go to a support group. Are there any in Portland or the surrounding areas? Thanks for your help. Hope to be on here more. Haven't updated my profile lately. Will do that soon. Morgen

I am on the other side of the river in Battle Ground, WA.  I don't know who takes Medicare, just wanted to say howdie!!  The support group for my surgeons meets every third Wed at 7:00 at Southwest Washington Medical Center and anyone can come.

Morgen: Your best bet would be OHSU.  I have Kaiser, I know they deal with medicare also.  Congrats on the 120 lbs weight loss. Peggy

Hi Morgen, I would also reccommend OHSU Oregon Health Sciences University. I had my surgery there on March 7, 2007 so we are about one month apart. I had Dr. Deveney I think he is wonderful, but I have heard good things about the other Dr's as well. They have a support group that meets there, but I have never gone to it.  I am actually training to be an OH support group leader right now. It will be the first OH group in Oregon. The meeting will be held in the Albany/Corvallis area so it is aproximately 1 1/2 to 2 hour drive from Portland. If you wanted to drive, I would love it. The first meeting should be within the next 4 to 6 weeks.  I will finish the training next week. I will post details on this board as they develop. Anyhow, I am sure others can tell you about meetings in the Portland area.  Good Luck and Welcome to Oregon, Christina

Christina, Tell me more about your training to become an OH support group leader.  That sounds exciting!   Gosh, and to think, Albany is only an hour or so drive from Eugene.................way cool!

Hi Brandon, I posted a new thread about the OH support group, please check it out. If you have any other questions feel free to ask me in this thread, or PM me. I am not quite sure what all you wanted to know............

Thank You, Christina

This is off topic but Brandon you are doing Great!  68 pounds that is amazing.  Congratulations on the great work you must feel fabulous!  Just had to say it!

Thanks, I am feeling pretty good...........................I am more than half way to my goal, so that is huge......

I third both Peggy and Christina on OHSU.  I am also pre-op with OHSU. Drs. Deveney, O'Rourke, and Wolfe all do RNYs at OHSU.  If I were to recommend one of them, then it would be Deveney.  OHSU has a support group that meets on the third Tuesday of every month.  Here is the following info for the next meeting: February 19, 2008 at 6:30 PM Center for Health and Healing, 3rd floor 3303 SW Bond Ave Portland, OR, 97239 The contact person is Vicki Jakovec and her phone number is 503-494-4373.  Everybody is welcome! Every once in a while, the OH members get together for breakfast in the Portland area.  The last one was 3 weeks ago and 12 people showed up.  We're talking about the possibility of having a BBQ in the summer. Welcome to Portland!

Welcome, Morgen!  I would have to agree with the others.  OHSU would probably be your best bet. Lori