Had my NP appt at ohsu today

May I ask where you got your pscy eval done before your NP? I have been given a list of Dr's from my ins who does psych evals but I wasn't sure if it would be accepted by OHSU and for whatever reason, I thought I had to do my NP before I did the eval? I already did my nut appt, my NP is not till July. I don't deal well with cranky/*****y ppl as I become one myself. I'll try to do my best to keep a smile though it all and if I do ***** back, I'll do it with a smile:) Thanks for any advice,

When I met with Dr. Wolfe he said that they don't really know enough about the results of each of the various choices of weight loss surgery to predict which one will be better for a given patient. He said that at this point patients pretty much get to choose which one they have-unless there are specific medical difficulties that make the surgery itself difficult. For example-he gave me a hard time about choosing lap band. He was very pro-RNY (I think this is the surgery of choice at OHSU). He basically said that RNY has a slightly better weight loss rate over time among other things. At the end of the appointment however he switched and said that because i have had so many abdominal surgeries (4 c sections and 2 others) that lap-band was probably the best choice for me. As far as seeing the surgeon before the testing-I agree that they are way too busy in the office and that is why they have built up the people barriers. Ultimately I think the problems at OHSU are the same across all of medicine-customer service has been sacrificed for getting as many people through the system as possible and that the treatment of individuals has been sacrificed for setting up procedures and testing that mechanizes the process. The reason, I think, that the surgeons don't know what surgery will work best for any individual is because no one gets to know any patient enough to link behaviors to the treatment choice. I have a few friends in medicine who find similar problems in their fields (end of life care and cancer treatment) BUT-its the way it is :) and Im going to put up with it all so I can get something out of it!!!

Sharon, You are lucky you don't have Kaiser.  It took me 18 months to get thru their hoops,  They don't make you have a psych evaluation, but they make you go thru their 12 week freedom from diet class, and they make sure you have several differint appts with the dietician and social worker, before they send you to see the surgeon.  I am glad I had the surgery, I have lost 296 lbs since having it.  I feel marvelous, and would do it again in a heartbeat. good luck, Peggy

Hi OHSU Pre-ops, I want to say one thing to all of you...... please be patient it is worth it all in the long run. I have nothing but praise for this hospital, my Dr. and the staff. The work they do is incredible. I know it can be frustrating to wait, but you are in the midst of the process and it is worth it all..... i know it may feel like you are jumping through hoops right now, but everyhting is for a reason. This hospital, Dr's and their staff want the best for you..... They saved my life!!!!! I would go through this ten times over if I had to to feel the way I do today...... Try to take a few deep breaths...... when you feel frustrated and  take one step at a time and do what you know to do..... and your surgery day will be here before you know it. I would also reccommend that you read books about other successful weight loss surgery patients in the meantime..... read about what it takes to make this surgery a success. Be ready to do whatever it takes.... i am not saying it will be easy, but it is worth every thing you go through to be where I am today..... Please don't lose heart. Reach out for support..... and keep a positive attitude it helps. Good Luck to all of you!!!! Christina

Christina thanks for all words of advice it really helps..i do appreciate ohsu and the staff and all that they do ........I feel much better since that day, after talking to alot of yall....thanks sharon

Wow! I can't believe your problems!  I had DS over a yr ago w Deveney and staff and have NO PROBS. Especially NO DIAHERREA!  Susan was always so good with me- when I said it was DS or nothng she told me if she had WLS she'd choose the DS! I just saw them both about 3 wks. ago and noted she has lost about 50# herself. Nicki PNW just had DS there and no problems either. Maybe just a bad day?  Don't give up- it IS so worth it. About Dr. D and whetther he likes doing the DS- he told me it was one of the most difficult surgeries to do but that when you have done as many as he has it was no problem at all. I am not sure where Susan  got that he doesn't "like" doing the DS- I would think he wouldn't "like" doing ANY surgery...hee hee.