Newbie w/questions about Centers of Excellence and more ...

Hi everyone! I've been lurking here for awhile ... you all seem so wonderful and supportive and I'm so glad I found you! I have BCBSO for State Employees and I know they will be covering RNY in 2006. I also found out the surgery has to be performed at a Center of Excellence ... my question is, which hospitals in Oregon are considered Centers of Excellence? Anyone know? Also, I haven't told hardly anyone that I'm considering surgery. But a couple people I've told are SO judgemental and tell me they know people that know people who've died. And if I have this surgery I'm being stupid for risking my life, etc. Any advice on what to tell them? I don't think very quickly on my feet! I just want some good comebacks to fire back with! Thanks so much for all your help! I look forward to joining you all "on the other side" before too long! Deanna

Just tell them you will probably die without it too. I know I would have been hopping into an early grave without one. Plus it cured my high blood pressure, diabetes, and sleep apnea. My knees feel better too after losing just 45 lbs. That was worth it in itself. I have no idea what a center of excellance is either. I do know that the Dr. I had, Stephen Tersigni and Bay Area Hospital in Coos Bay could certainly be considered one. He has done over 800 of the procedures by now and with no fatalaties form the surgery. And from my personal experience, the hospital staff is excellent and the service was terrific! Not only that but they did all the pre approvals and paperwork. Got it after only 6 weeks. Surgery was a snap and was done laproscopically. Am totally pleased with my decision to go there for it. Had total confidence in my Dr. and therefore was at complete peace of mind and was not worried at all. Jerry

Thanks Jerry! Congratulations on your weightloss ... fabulous! Thanks for the recommendation on Dr. Tersigni ... I will check into him! Sounds like he is very well respected. Again, thanks for your help! Deanna

Hi Deanna, Don't worry about what other people have to say. You know in your heart if it is right for you. They aren't the ones who are suffering, emotionally, physcially, etc. I tried to please everyone else for 20 years and decided this was the one thing I was going to do for myself no matter what others had to say. And trust me, there were those that had plenty to say. I have lost 110 lbs, I can walk without my legs hurting, I have energy, I have freedom. I still have more to lose, but I am so happy that I made this choice for myself. You will be so glad you did too. Take care, Shelley

I don't know which hospitals are ctrs. of excellence, but Dr. Hong and Patterson out of the Oregon Institute at Good Sam are so highly recommended. They are one of the leading WSL practices in the Oregon. If you call their offices I'm sure they would know if they fall under that category. Attending one of their informational seminars was one of the best things that prepared me to move forward with my surgery. I didn't tell anyone in my life other than my husband about my surgery. I still haven't told most people, including my immediate family. I trust that many of them would have been supportive, but I really didn't want any judgement, opinions, or people I love being scared about my "crazy" decision. The people I was working with to go towards my surgery date were my husband and a team of skilled, informed doctors. Not just the surgery doctors but several other support doctors from other fronts. Those opinions were the ones that mattered to me. I am glad I did it that way. I was able to take my baby steps towards "normal" at my own pace, with no one watching what I was eating or asking how much I had lost (since yesterday!). I don't like to be scrutinized and that the energy I knew would come with telling - even though it would have come with the best of intentions! When I had my three children I never revealed what we had decided to name the baby until it was on the birth certificate. Maybe not similiar, but you can't believe the opinions that would start if you uttered a possible name. Scary is a reality when facing any surgery decision. For me it was put the facts/risks on the scale up in the sky - equally with the risks/facts of not having the surgery. It wasn't hard for me to make a clear decision and embrace that decision based on all of the facts. At this point in the decision making process fitting into a cute dress was not even on the table. It was all about living, and possibly living without the daily pain just trying to make it through the day. I can't give you any good one liner....they always take me at least a day after I talk to someone! People do die every day from gallbladder surgery, knee surgery, heart surgery, etc. Thousands of people are saved too. That fact stops fewer of the people getting those more mainstream surgeries, but I don't think the risks is HIGHER if you compare some of them. Good luck in your decision. Patty

Hi Deanna, Another "Center of Excellence" that is even closer to you would be that at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis. Dr Robert Read MD Phd, heads the program which is quite comprehensive. You will be followed for 7 years after surgery and must meet with a nutritionist at least every 6 months for the first year and then yearly afterward. You must have lab work done every 3 months for the first year, then semi-annually afterward. Susan, Bobbie and Kim (support staff) are wonderful to work with and very supportive. There is also a support group that meets on Saturday (last Sat of the month at the hospital) Dr. Read is well respected and also teaches at OSU. Dr Hong and Patterson have also been mentioned. I know they are both fine surgeons, but have long waiting lists as this isn't their primary field and they are located in a very populus area (Portland) I have heard the wait for a first consult is 6 months and that is what I experienced as well when I originally called. Oh yes, the hospital, Good Sam in Corvallis was excellant. There wasn't a single staff memeber who wasn't above and beyond. Good luck and keep us informed. Pat 317/215/130?