IN PORTLAND NEED HELP

Hi to all  I am new to site and i am needing some help. I am looking to have the lap band surgery done and i have read that many of you in oregon went to ohsu to have the procedure. I was also directed to legacy hospital has any one gone there does any one know the difference? I am new to the area i moved from fla to here and i am having a hard time finding a good primary doctor in portland can any one recommend theires or someone they know. I want to get things going im scheduled for orientation at legacy but would like to attend ohsu  as well.  did or has anyone had to be put on a diet prior to having the suregry if so what type of diet was it liquid protein etc.. right now im doing atkins and having difficulty get the scale to move down yes the inches are coming off but the lbs are not. I just want to get as much as i can done before i go under to have the procedure performed. I am also looking to make some new friends here I dont know anyione in portland since i work from my home i dont get out to meet many people. I would love to be a pal to someone each other. I am struggling right now with trying not to add more weight on but its difficult and a fighting battle everyday . So i would love to hear from anyone and can never have to much information i say.. thanks have a blessed day! Susan - Circus

Susan - I didn't have the band, but RNY and I live in Eugene, not Portland, so I can't recomment a PCP to you.  I did have my RNY surgery at OHSU and they were GREAT!  They have their info sessions twice a month, so check out their site and find a day when you can go.  Yes, you will have to lose weight befor surgery.  OHSU gives you a very simple 1200 calorie diet to follow.  It helped me drop about 14 pounds before surgery.  Both Legacy and OHSU have good reputations.  The main difference I can see is that Legacy does a lot of operations in one day, OHSU does only a few.  I liked having a more rested doctor working on me. Linda

good to know cause in 2003 i was in pre op getting ready for the drugs and i said stop i cant do this .. i got there at 12:00 noon was going to be operated on until 9:00 that night i said nope that dr onlyone was on his feet all day and  doing one right after the other.. i didnt want  mistakes done on me.. the only regret is now its 4 years late still fat.. cool i need a plan to get one to lose the weight everything im trying works for a bit then stops.. so i will look into the classses thanks

Susan, I have chosen to have Dr. Patterson from Legacy to do my lapband surgery.  It is such an individual choice.  I really like my Dr. and have been told to lose 5% of my body weight before which I have already accomplished.  In fact, I am now down 32 poiunds....and am feeling pretty good about myself.   I am not required to be on a liquid diet before surgery, but for two weeks afterwards.  Prior to surgery, I am to have a high protein diet.  (Of course, each surgeon has their own beliefs on this).   My insurance required that I go to a Center of Excellence for surgery, and both OHSU and Legacy qualified for that.  I attended both seminars and just liked the "feel" of Legacy better.  I am positive that both institutions have fabulous reputations.....again, it is just a personal choice.  My PCP also recommended that I go to Dr. Patterson.   My seminar with Legacy was on June 19, and my surgery is scheduled for December 12.  That was my choice.  They were scheduling the surgery two weeks earlier, but that didn't work for my schedule.   LIke Linda, I do not live in Portland, so can't make any recommendations about Dr.....but I can wish you the best of luck in making your decision.  Do your research, and talk with people....... Any questions, please ask...........

I had my lap band done at Legacy back in 2005.  I have to say I preferred that to my minor surgery treatments at OHSU but I also go to OHSU for other things so I guess I could say I'm experienced with both to some extent. As the others have said they're equally qualified in what they do.  As far as numbers of surgeries performed in a day I know my surgeon only did three (me -- lap band, and two RNY) on the same day so I don't consider that excessive. I think that seeing if you fit better with one surgical group over another may be in your best interest so attending seminars at both may benefit you. Most lap banders don't go on liquid diets if they go to OHSU or Legacy.  Now if you went to SW Washington you just might depending on your surgeon.  I was just told to try and lose 10% of my excess weight.  I lost a pound.  That's all I was able to do pre-op.  I tried, too. If you want to meet new people, definitely join us for breakfast.  We have a great time! Lori

Susan, Dr Patterson at Legacy did my band last month.  She and the hospital were great.   I have also had a hard time finding a good primary physician.  I asked for leads on this forum and called all those supplied, and none of the docs were taking new patients.  I am going to go with my husband's doctor and keep my eye out and may switch later. I also had to lose 5%.  I did it by just cutting out some fast food and sweets, but it took me a long time, about 6 months! I have a blog with some of my info, details below. Good luck, Melanie