OHSU proccess question

Hello again! So now that I've finally made my decision, I'm happy excited and umm..... CONFUSED! I have read and re-read my info pack from OHSU. If I'm reading this right, I'm suppose to see my PCP and get all my paperwork together BEFORE I can get my 1st appointment up there?  Other thing I'm confused about. It says not to submit the "green sheet" unless it's with all of your other medical forms from your docs.  I was told by my doc's office that they will charge to give them to me but will fax for free. How does OHSU create a file on me without my green sheet? Is this really this confusing or am I just not getting it? lol Beth

If I remember correctly-and it has been six months :)-I filled out and took the green sheet into my doctors office. She faxed along with my recommendation letter and records to OHSU. the key to getting this stuff right is to keep calling. The records, test results tennis match is almost the worst part of the whole process. People forget to send stuff, or send the wrong stuff a lot (It took more than a month for my doctors office to get the records transferred and my psych evaluation was almost 2). My advice is start the ball rolling and then become a thorn in their sides (but in a nice way!!) Tina

My medical records have been with OHSU for many years and I have seen many physicians and other medical personnel over the years.  I mentioned this fact at the info seminar.  The NP told me that the clinic would access my medical records that are interfaced into the OHSU system and I would not have to submit anything along with the WLS app form.  She also told me to write a brief explanation on my WLS app that all my medical records are with OHSU and to include the medical record number.  My initial contact with the clini****urred 5 days after I mailed my WLS app. Also, copies of my medical records from my ER visits to other hospitals were sent to my PCP for OHSU's records at the time of each visit.  I did not need to contact any of the hospitals for them. Call the clinic and tell them that your doctor's office would be willing to fax your medical records over to them without charge to you rather than giving them to you for a fee.  They should be able to go from there.

I called OHSU recently with similar questions. I was told to go ahead and send the green questionnaire and not wait til the medical records were sent.  My records will not  be sent until the results of my sleep study make it back to my PCP (which, hopefully, should be later this week). FWIW, I bought a pre-stamped postcard, put my address on it, and on the back side wrote "Records sent to OHSU. Date:________________" I put that with a note to my PCP's nurse, asking her to send the postcard when she sent the records so that I could have a record of when they went out.

Hi Everyone!!! Just a word of encouragement for you, it is worth it all. Now 10 months out and down 200+ lbs. jumping through all of the hoops to get to my surgery date of March 7, 2007 seems like a distant blur.  Keep calling, and ask those ?????'s. The staff at OHSU is very knowledgeable and helpful. They want you to be successful. I know they are busy, but if they were not good at what they do they wouldn't be so busy. Hang in there!! Christina

I just wanted to say a quick thanks to all of you for you support/suggestions. I called OHSU yesterday and they indeeded tell me to turn in the green sheet and they will match the records with it as they arrive. I also asked about the VSG which they were a bit cluless about so I started to ask more questions and explain more. I'm SO glad I didn't give up. She says that Deveny is known to do variations of surgeries and for me to just get my paper work in and take it from there. Thanks again for your support and the idea of the post card! Beth

OHSU offers only the DS, RNY, and lapband operations.  You may have talked to a member of the office staff about the VSG, which is the reason that person may have been clueless.  The two NPs on staff, Susan and Vicki, are both much more familiar with the VSG.  At the initial appointment with either NP, tell her that you want the VSG when she asks which operation you want. The VSG is done as one stage of the DS.  Dr. Deveney is the only one in the clinic who does the DS, so he should be able to do the VSG as a stand-alone operation.  Dr. D. did a revision to VSG on one of our friends at the end of last November.

I'm sure this works out differently for everyone.  I filled out my green sheet and gave a copy to my doctor, along with the suggested format letter that was in the packet.  My doctor wrote his letter and called me to come pick it up, then I faxed all of it to OHSU.  On the subject of selecting a surgery -- I encourage you to do some reading on your own and then discuss the different procedures with the NP when you have your first appointment.  OHSU is a teaching/research institution -- indeed, they are involved in a huge national research project on obesity and they limit their procedures for one major reason -- they are the most successful surgeries over the long haul.  I originally wanted a band, then decided I really didn't want a foreign object inside me (besides the staples), then I thought about the DS and thought I really wanted it but my insurance wouldn't pay.  I ended up with a RNY bypass and, I have to say, I am totally satisfied.  It works just the way they told me it would and I feel fantastic.  The NP and the surgeon may have suggestions for you based on your genetics and your prior diet history.  I'd say don't go in with your mind made up, but listen to what they have to say.  They do what they do for a reason.  Best of luck to you.  This is indeed one of the best experiences of my life. Linda