Question:
Emma Patterson, in Portland Oregon.

looking for other either pre-op or post-op that have had emma patterson. anything would help. also local support groups would be a plus.    — Keri P. (posted on July 10, 2003)

July 10, 2003
Hi. I am in Aloha, OR. I was going to go to Dr. Patterson for my WLS surgery, but after further research decided to go with Dr. Oh in Federal Way WA. (his website www.ohtobethin.com) I have a friend who had their WLS surgery by Dr. Patterson and felt they were continuiously pushed into doing the LAP Band, its been over a year and she is not even close to her goal weight. Dr. Oh is not that far away and is able to accomodate patients more quickly. I was seen in May and my surgery is in July.. Hope that helps. :)
   — Crystal M.

July 10, 2003
I'm not qualified to speak on Dr. Patterson myself, but you might want to look at Julie Winlund's profile ( http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/profile.phtml?N=W989901733 ). She's a Patteson patient who has a rather detailed profile about her experience. As for the friend who hasn't reached goal in a year, don't assume that means that lap-band patients NEVER reach goal. Most lap-band patients don't lose as quickly as the RNY patients, but they keep losing for a longer period of time. Lap-band patients can keep losing weight for up to 3 years post-op, whereas RNY patients usually stop losing after 12-18 months. Personally, I chose the band partly because I hoped the more gradual weight loss would result in less saggy skin (too early to tell yet if that will be the case, but I'm happy with my progress so far). The RNY and duodenal switch can be better for some people, but I think a lot of people underestimate the lap-band.
   — K M.

July 10, 2003
I've known a couple of people who've had her as their doctor and they've had nothing but good to say about her. Good luck!
   — [Deactivated Member]

July 11, 2003
Dr. Patterson is wonderful. She really cares about her patients and she is an expert. She has a much higher success rate than most surgeons. I printed out her credentials to reassure my mother, and it took 11 pages. I'm perfectly confident in the lap band because I'm perfectly confident in her expertise. You can read about her here http://www.orclinic.com/docs/epatterson.html
   — Maria N.

July 14, 2003
Dr. Patterson was my surgeon for lap RNY on 4/28/03. I found her to be an incredible surgeon. We discussed both types of surgery (lap band and RNY) and the decision was left up to me. I have had no complications so far and have adapted well to my new life post surgery. I know many people who have had WLS and heard all their experiences (through support groups and from working at an insurance company) and count my blessings that I had Dr. Patterson. She is one of the top surgeons in this field and was worth every penny to travel to Oregon (I'm from Seattle, Washington) to have her perform my surgery. The insurance company I work for did a special program for the employees to cover WLS if you qualified and only selected 4 surgeons. I figure the company was pretty careful in making sure they had only the best surgeons chosen since it was for their employees. I can't tell you in the end who you should select but do your research and go talk to these dr's. Good luck!
   — Tina D.

August 23, 2003
She is probably fine if you want RNY or Lapband, but if you are going to her for DS (http://duodenalswitch.com for info), please be aware that although she says she does DS, in fact she does NOT! At the last minute,after all your consults and tests, she will tell you that "DS people put the pyloric valve on a pedestal" and offer you the old Scopinaro BPD instead. The DS is the improved version of the BPD, an important refinement to make it more successful and livable. Please read and ask questions about her on the duodenalswitch.com message board or at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/duodenalswitch. Don't let a surgeon talk you out of the surgery you want!
   — Chris T.