HELP.......What to expect????

Hi, I was wondering if anyone has has Dr Hong in Portland as a surgean??? hes in with Dr patterson which is the best of the two dr's??? On Aug 17 i'm going to portland to the seminar that Dr Patterson has. I know she makes you go threw hoops but what kinds of hoops??? my BMI is 94.5 am too much of a high risk for the surgury??? If anyone has any impute id be greatful to hear from you!!!!!! Tanya

From what I hear Dr. Patterson has sort of trained Dr. Hong. And Dr. Patterson was trained by a renouned bariatric surgeon in New York, or so I heard. I have been to Dr. Patterson's seminar over a year ago, I was VERY impressed with her. I think this was before Dr. Hong came into the picture. I also don't know if Hong has the same hoops. I know that what little I have read about him has been good though, he just hasn't done as many surgeries. If it were me, becaue of the very high BMI, I would go with Patterson simply because she probably has more experience with the super-morbidly obese. But if your in a hurry, it's fast to get in to see Dr. Hong. You would also, IMHO, have to been done open instead of lap. Good luck and keep us posted here and in your profile! Brandi

Dr. Hong was my surgeon. He is an excellent, very qualified choice. As Brandi said, due to your BMI perhaps that would make Dr. Patterson the better one for you. Also, I agree that you may be looking at an open procedure vs. Lap. The seminar is a great place to begin. It is really informative, and will give you a strong idea of what would be required of you before surgery. As far as hoops to jump through, they are pretty standard no matter which doctor you go with. The basics are a sleep study, psychology exam, documented diet history, E.K.G., pulminary evaluation. It seems like a lot to do, but it gives you the best possible chance of having a safe surgery. Good luck, and feel free to ask any quesitons along the way. Patty

Hi Tonya, I have heard nothing but great things about Dr. Hong. In fact personally I liked him better. He is a bit quiet but I do feel he is a great surgeon. Anyhow, you may want to read my profile about the Dr.s I might have taken some of it out. But the bottom line for me switching to Dr. P was because I come from a Medical family and my sister told me in no way should I not have the Dr. who has done the MOST surgeries under their belt if I was having the RNY. That was just a personal family decision. I was going to have Dr. Hong do the Lap-Band on me but my Insurance denied so I switched Dr.s My husband and I met Dr. Hong and I think he is so nice and more caring, maybe because he's the newer Dr. there. But I have heard that if he works with Dr. P then he has to be of great skill otherwise she wouldn't have hired him. And they are both from Canada. I don't know if they schooled together. Best of luck, any questions let me know.... Nadine