OHSU or Legacy Good Sam in Portland?

I have been looking into both places to have a revision of Band to DS using Medicare and I am nervous because of all the stuff I have heard about the problems with getting paperwork done.  I am also looking into a Dr in California, but either way I have to travel, Portland is 4 1/2 hours away from me and the Dr in California is about 8 hours away.  Any advice on this would be helpful.  I am hoping to attend seminars for both places and the one in California as well, but I would still like to hear everyones opinion on the two facilities and surgeons.  Thanks

Check the web site for Oregon Weight Loss Surgery (OWLS) they work out of Good Sam, for the procedures they do. I'm thinking it's only lap band and by-pass. Their informational meetings are great. Best of luck

FYI...Good Sam doesn't do DS.

OHSU is fine for paper work, just stay on top of it.  Dr. Deveney is great there and does DS.

I keep the keys for the list of DS surgeons performing/not performing revisions to DS for the DS and Revisions boards and post the list in its entirety on occasion.  Here is the list that is applicable to Oregon and California: -  Dr. Deveney in Oregon performs RNY-to-DS revisions, as well as revisions from GLB and old stomach stapling operations.  He also performs more complicated and higher-risk revisions (such as a MGB-to-VSG revision in late 11/2007).  In doing revisions to different procedures, he takes down (reverses) old procedures before performing new procedures.  He is very anti-GLB and very anti-stomach stapling, especially VBG. -  Dr. Crookes in California performs RNY-to-DS revisions, but he is very selective.  He does not charge any program fee. -  Dr. Cirangle in California has performed hundreds of DS procedures, including revisions from RNY.  One member reported on the Revision board that he charges an additional $7.5K fee over and above insurance.  He adjusts the fee in accordance with PPO insurance, according to a member on the DSIZ board. -  Dr. Feng in California does not do RNY-to-DS revisions. -  Dr. Husted in California performs RNY-to-DS revisions, as well as a number of other revisions, including GLB/VBG/other stomach stapling operations/MGB/VSG revisions, according to his website. -  Dr. Jossart in California has done 150 DS surgeries and has done many revisions (as of 9/2007).  One member reported on the Revision board that he charges an additional $7.5K fee over and above insurance. -  Dr. Keshishian in California performs RNY-to-DS revisions as well as GLB-to-DS revisions.  Members have reported that he is EXTREMELY anti-band!  However, he charges a $4K fee (not covered by insurance) upfront for revisions.  Plus, he requires his out-of-town patients to stay in town for up to 10 days after being released from the hospital. -  Dr. John Rabkin in California performs RNY-to-DS revisions, according to several members on the DS board.  Diana Cox reported on the DS board that he charges a surgeon's fee upfront (around $10K) because he does not accept insurance assignments (that is, he is not contracted with any insurance company although he may have special arrangements with a couple of organizations).  Otherwise, he does not charge a program fee. -  Dr. Robert Rabkin in California is retired as of 10/2007. A number of members reported on the DS board that DS surgeons in California may charge upfront fees of $4K-$10K to cover services that are not reimbursed by insurance.  However, one member reported on the DS board that some of the fees may be refunded if insurance reimburses enough to cover them. Further info about each DS surgeon can be found in the following link: http://www.duodenalswitch.com/surgeons/surgeons.html One of the surgeons at OWLS used to perform the DS, but he left about 2 years ago to work with the minimally invasive surgery department at Legacy.  He no longer does any bariatrics. Dr. Patterson at OWLS was trained to perform the DS and did a few of them before discontinuing the DS. Dr. Jan at OWLS may not have performed any DS, not that I am aware of. Hope this helps!

Vicki, Thanks for all the great information!  I will be checking some of them out.