Help Please

I am new and very scared. I had bypass surgery almost 25 years ago when it was in it's infancy. Well here we go again, but hopfully with a lot more knowledge this time. I had decided that if nothing changed in 2005 than this was what I was supposed to do. I have not a clue where to start. I tried finding the Dr. on line once and got a hold of someone who said " I just needed to practice some self contriol" well that ended that conversation. I remembered talking to Dr. Emma Patterson once at the Northwest Women's Conference in 2004. She gave me hope. I need some direction now. I don't think my own DR. will go for this so I need to find someone who is on my side. I live in Vancouver WA (OR) so close to Portland. Is there any advise from some of you veterans.

well, Emma Patterson still does this and is in Portland. Also you can find other bariatric surgeons here on the board. What kind of insurance do you have? I live in the Portland area but went down to Coos Bay for my surgery with Stephen Tersigni. He had a lot of experience and I had complete confidence in him. I was not disappointed. For me it was a cakewalk - the surgery part that is. As you no doubt know, the hard part comes after. Jer

My insurance is KPS I believe it is part of First Choice out of WA state. How long were you in the hospital? I read somewhere that one person went home the next day after the band because they were on self pay. How was your recovery? You mentioned the hard part later. What was it like? Now the band is something that you can have ajusted, correct? I am not sure how to begin w/ my own Dr. for hopfully insurance. Does anyone know of a Dr. that I can go to, to get this through the insurance hoops faster. I work for a tax accountant and so I will be busy for the next several months but in May I am ready. Barbie

Barbara, First, thanks for reaching out for help. Often times it's impossible to get through things on your own, so I'm glad you're here. I've heard great things about Dr. Patterson. If you'd like, you can reach her office at (503) 227-5050 or visit www.orclinic.com Also, check with your insurance company to find out what they'll pay for (or if they'll pay for). Some companies, I hear, are only paying for a certain type of surgery and not others. Good luck! Let us know how else we can support you! Charity

Dr. Cliff Deveney at OHSU is a pro at revisions of the old by-passes. He is a transplant surgeon and the best there is for this particular problem. Few of us from the old procedures are not "revised" by now. This is more complicated that a simple lap band. tee