Current list of support groups in and around Portland?

Hello everyone. I'd like to hear about support groups in and around the Portland area. I've seen posts about some groups, but the posts were older and I'd like to know what is currently available. My surgery was in Mexico, but I'm open to attending any surgeon's group, if I'm allowed to. Thanks! -Lesa

Lesa - I am in Medford and can't help with the Portland meetings, but I wanted to respond anyway. I was curious (since I'm seeing Dr. Aguirre also), how did you arrange the travel and accomodations while down there? I am reserved for the Hotel Coral and got plane reservations, but still haven't ironed out who to use for a taxi. I'm a little concerned about all that. Also, on your profile you mentioned Dr. Aguirre hasn't returned your emails since you got back, but just so you are aware, he hasn't returned mine lately either and mine is coming up in March. I will bet he has too much going on and is having a hard time keeping up with emails. I would rather he get behind on that than let himself get preoccupied with it. Better the mind be on surgery than email , even though I *would* like a response. I will bet he starts hiring staff to handle these things for him. Dina

Hi Dina! I used Bambee to get me from San Diego to Ensenada, and I give him my highest praise. He's very caring, understands that on the way back he needs to avoid bumps, stops to let you use the bathroom at a clean rest stop, and I felt completely safe with him. I emailed Dr. Aguirre with my flight info and he took care of getting Bambee for me. As far as getting from The Coral to the doctor's office and Cardiomed, I'd just use the taxi that the hotel can call for you. "Taxi" is understood down there, even if the person doesn't speak English. My concern about having questions following surgery and being unable to get a hold of Dr. Aguirre was a great one, but I didnt' want to write anything in my profile that would dissuade someone from having surgery with him. My only advice was ask questions before you're discharged. I hope you can relax about having surgery there. I really did have great care. I'll keep you in my prayers. -Lesa

Lesa - I'm glad to hear about Bambee (I've seen it spelled that way and Bambi - who knows? LOL!). I will contact him and try to reach him. As for Dr. Aguirre being unreachable, I can see the feel the concern, but honestly I felt he was giving so much more personalized service above what one would normally get in the US that he was stretching himself too thin - especially now that he is booked up 3 months or more in advance. I hope he is able to get an English speaking nurse or PA that can help answer questions. I have simple questions right now that almost anyone there can answer - feel funny about bugging him for such minor things right now. I think eventually he will have to put some of that on others so he can deal more quickly with the post op concerns. Still, I have definitely gotten the impression from others, and even still his own website, that once you are briefed by him and you are discharged, you are to seek out follow up care and information from other people, so I take your experience and everyone else's with me so I will try to be prepared to seek someone else out for my concerns. I think that doesn't bother me as long as I know what to expect. I know if an emergency happens I'll need to see him again, but other than that, I'm setting myself up to not really discuss much with him afterward. Thankfully I found a doctor that is willing to do that for me! Dina

Hi Lesa, I go to the support meetings at Kaiser Sunnyside on the 4th Saturday of the month from 9-11. I believe it is open to all patients who have had the surgery, but mostly Kaiser people are there. Hope this helps. Have a great weekend and Valentines Day. Sarah G.

Thanks, Sarah, for letting me know about this group. I want to go around checking out all available support groups. I've calendared this one, so I hope to meet you there! You have a great weekend too. -Lesa

Lesa, Here are some of the Portland area support groups: OHSU Bariatric Patient Support group. Open to all patients and support people - of all procedures, all surgeons, all locations. Meetings will be held on the OHSU campus, in the Child Development and Rehabilitation Center (CDRC) Room 3200 @ 7:30 PM on the 4th Wednesday of the Month, meeting once a month. There is sometimes a dinner beforehand. Questions - contact Tom at [email protected] Beaverton Support Group Meeting Held on the second Wednesday of every month. The meeting is at: The Resource Center 12500 SW Allen Beaverton, OR You can easily find it by going to the corner of SW Hall and SW Allen. The room is typically room # 138a (First room on your left as you enter the building.) The meeting starts at 7:00 PM and goes until 8:50 PM. Also, many people use the meeting as a place to bring and exchange clothing, so feel free to bring clothes you no longer fit in. Contact Scott at [email protected] Portland Area Baltasar Support Group Open to all pre-ops, post-ops, and those interested in the option of going out of country or to Dr. Baltasar for surgery and their support people. We meet the 2nd Saturday of each month at 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Several people get together for lunch after the meeting - open to anyone who would like to join us. Held at Cedar Mill Bible Church (12208 NW Cornell Road, Portland, OR 97229) www.cmbc.org in room P201A. Any questions email dina at [email protected] Hope that helps! Blessings, dina

Lesa, Here are some of the Portland area support groups: OHSU Bariatric Patient Support group. Open to all patients and support people - of all procedures, all surgeons, all locations. Meetings will be held on the OHSU campus, in the Child Development and Rehabilitation Center (CDRC) Room 3200 @ 7:30 PM on the 4th Wednesday of the Month, meeting once a month. There is sometimes a dinner beforehand. Questions - contact Tom at [email protected] Beaverton Support Group Meeting Held on the second Wednesday of every month. The meeting is at: The Resource Center 12500 SW Allen Beaverton, OR You can easily find it by going to the corner of SW Hall and SW Allen. The room is typically room # 138a (First room on your left as you enter the building.) The meeting starts at 7:00 PM and goes until 8:50 PM. Also, many people use the meeting as a place to bring and exchange clothing, so feel free to bring clothes you no longer fit in. Contact Scott at [email protected] Portland Area Baltasar Support Group Open to all pre-ops, post-ops, and those interested in the option of going out of country or to Dr. Baltasar for surgery and their support people. We meet the 2nd Saturday of each month at 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Several people get together for lunch after the meeting - open to anyone who would like to join us. Held at Cedar Mill Bible Church (12208 NW Cornell Road, Portland, OR 97229) www.cmbc.org in room P201A. Any questions email dina at [email protected] Hope that helps! Blessings, dina

Don't you hate it when AMOS does that and posts your message twice?! LOL! dina

Dina: Thanks so much for all the meeting info. I'm glad I checked the board today... I guess I'll see you in about an hour! -Lesa