Eugene/Springfield surgeon leaving?

Does anyone know what's going on at Sacred Heart in Springfield?  My regular doctor told me that Dr. Yarbrough is leaving Sacred Heart and going to Corvallis to do bariatric surgery and that Corvallis is the closest hospital for WLS now.

I've heard really good things about the Corvallis program and it's not really that far away so that's not a big deal... it's sad that Dr. Yarbrough is leaving though...

So does that mean that Bariatric surgery will no longer be an option at Riverbend?  That is really strange, a brand new hospital that is unable to keep a bariatric practice.  Wonder what is up with that? 

I attend one of Dr. Yarbrough's seminars and he was a very likeable.  I ended up having my surgery done by Dr. Patterson at Good Sam in Portland, because at the time, Sacred Heart was not a Center of Excellence, a requirement for my insurance. I would have liked to have had surgery closer to home, but this has been working because the Good Sam Doctors Patterson and Halpin have been coming to Springfield once a month.  Saves the long drive to Portland.

I was told Dr. Hughes is taking over for him. But I don't know anything else about it or who that even actually is. Personally I'm going to Corvallis for my fills so that I can stay with Dr. Yarborough. Plus it's actually closer for me, so I'm in luck.

 Isn't Dr. Hughes a Osteopath?  I didn't know Osteo's did bariatric surgery.  Have you met Dr. Hughes?

thanks

I just got my letter today. Dr. Yarbrough is leaving and going to Corvallis as ov August 1st. A Dr. Hughes will be filling in until the hiring process is finish. They have some really good candidates. 
I don't know what all the fuss is about. I saw Dr. Yarbrough at my pre-op and before and after my very successful surgery on May 4th.
 
The strength of program as I see is is everyone else on staff that work like crazy to help us get prepared mentally and physically and to follow through with us to our goal. Those are the people I get bonded with.
This will be nice for those people, including my cousin, who is driving to Springfield now from Albany. Other than that--just give me a skilled  Dr to do the slice and dice and a super support group to help me be successful in this life changing and life altering experience to get my body back and to live a normal healthy life. The Oregon Bariatric Center is fabulous for those of us who live in the mid-valley!

I agree.  It would also be nice if The Oregon Bariatric Center allowed all  WLS patients to attend their support groups. 

I belong to a great support group, but would be nice to be able to share with more similar style surgery patients. 

I don't understand why Oregon Bariatric Center keep their meetings for members only?

Just found out something interesting. My cousin is working toward WLS at Oregon Bariatric Center and when she got the letter about Dr. Yarbrough going to the Corvallis program she thought that was great as she lives in Albany. When she called they said that they don't take MediCare at all, but Oregon Bariatric does. So she has to stay with Springfield for now.

I wonder why that is? 

I don't know how far along in the process your cousin is, but she may want to consider changing to Coos Bay (if she doesn't mind the drive).  I have been going to Oregon Bariatric as well.  I just finished my entire program there, only to find out that I could not have surgery because Dr. Yarborough was leaving and they did not have a replacement.  At this time, they have no surgeon, have no real prospects and have no idea when they will have anyone.

I also found out that they have known that Yarborough was leaving for about a year now and did not tell anyone for fear that patients would leave.  They kept people in the program with the hopes that they would have a replacement before he left and only told people about him leaving when they knew they would be without a surgeon.

I don't know your cousin's situation, but in my case - I HAVE to have surgery before the end of the year - or I lose my money in my flexible spending account to pay my costs for surgery.  I'm not willing to "wait and see" if they will get a surgeon before then.

Coos Bay said I will have surgery in about 4 weeks.  They are also a Center of Excellence and take Medicare and Medicaid.  The surgeon there has been at that same location for about 12 years.  Just thought I would let you know.

I got a letter from his office saying that he is going to Corvallis.  I see him this tuesday for my first fill .... at Riverbend