satisfaction with surgeon

I'm also in the looking stage again. I really don't like driving to Portland, esp. now that the daylight is shorter. I can't stay in Salem as I'd prefer, due to it not being a COE (the Open part doesn't bother me).
The program in Eugene/Springfield was recommended to me by a friend. I didn't know that they have trouble keeping docs there. Does anyone have more info about that? I not only want to pick the right surgery the 1st time, but also the right surgeon.

Hi Patty-
When I first started looking at the program in Eugene, there were 3 drs: Gorman, Umbach, and Yarborogh.  They all were suppose to be good- but Gorman was known to be the top as far as bed side manner AND a great surgeon, Yarborough was back up dr to Gorman and Umbach.  Umbach left to go back to CA - for family reasons. Yarborough I guess is now in Corvallis.  I have heard from my other 2 coworkers who had the RNY, about the dr situation.  Their web site does not really promote who the drs are now - a new woman dr but I dont recall name and it seemed like she did not have alot of experience.  I did alot of research when I first started - keep learning and asking questions. I went to a picnic with other people in different stages of this process: several years post surgery, months, just had, just going to.  Talking to lots of people really helped me realize what I was in for.  This picnic was organized by the dr's office.  Good luck!

GoHillary

There must be some Emma Patterson patients out there?  How did it go?

Go Ducks!!

I had my surgery almost two years ago with Dr Jay Jan who was in the same office with Emma Patterson.  I was more than happy with the care I have received through that office.  Because I live in Southern OR, they scheduled all my pre-op classes, etc together so I only had to make one trip.  They come to Eugene monthly (at least they have in the past) so my post-op appts can be taken care of closer to home.  One of my co-workers had Dr Patterson and he was extremely pleased with her.

Thanks for the info.  Where did you meet in Eugene?

It was in an office on Olympia Street in Springfield, actually.  Some doctor's business who was closed the day we had our appts.  Mine was a post-op appt.  Not sure if they pre-op visits down here or not.  Got my lab orders and had the lab work done in Roseburg and they mailed the results to the Ptld office so she had them ahead of time.  I had a friend that I could stay with in Ptld but the office that did all the pre-op stuff - the psychology, nutrition, physical therapy, etc arranged it so I could do it on back to back days so I was pleased with that.  My 2nd year follow up will be coming in Dec so will see what the program is this year!  I went to Legacy because my insurance required I use a Center of Excellence.  I was very happy with the whole procedure with them.

They sound very accomodating.  I hope to hear from them soon.

   My surgery was done by Dr. Patterson back in April and I highly recommend her!  She's very straight forward, and you can tell that she really cares about her patients.  The support staff has been very good.  The only problem I had was with the girl who takes care of getting the insurance approvals, she kind of brushed my file under the rug (so to speak) and I ended up waiting several weeks longer than neccesary to get approved because she wasn't following through.  That was the only thing that I have had that left a bad impression though.  Everyone else has been great and I completely trust Dr. Patterson.  
                                                                                      Angie

Hey Angie-
What hospital did you have the surgery at?  Did you have a choice?  Did you know what kind of surgery you wanted (RNY), did they try and change your mind or have you consider a Lap Band? When you had dr apts did you see Patterson - or one of the other dr's or ? Did you feel rushed? How long did you stay in the hospital?  How many times did you see the dr before and then after the surgery?  Sorry to have all these questions - I am pretty sure I want to have her do the surgery - but it is Great to get someone's perspective who has already gone thru it -  Thanks for helping me make the right decision :)  How long did it take from start to finish?

Hillary

I had my surgery done by Dr Yarborough at the OBC at Peace Health, he has move to Corvallis. He was great, he has a great bedside manner. The OBC now has 2 new providers and are looking for a third. My best friend is having her surgery on Monday with the new male provider. She just met him the other day and really liked him. She is also going to have her mother have surgery hopefully this spring in the same office. Support staff is good if you are proactive. If you do not ask questions or for help with something you may not get the attention needed. Surgically great. I work in the medical field and had done alot of research prior to choosing a procedure, I think that is the wise thing to do.I am so glad that I chose to save myself from the death that obesity would give me. Call OBC and see what you think. Good luck.

I went to Dr. Archer in Bend ( Advanced Specialty Care).  I had RNY on 9/22/09.  No complications and have felt great.  Very good program followup and support.  I live in Klamath Falls and have to travel to bend.  They accomdate my needs very well.