My surgeon is Emma Patterson, I got all my testing done and Im just waiting for the call to start seeing the surgeon, I have to see her once a month for 6mos per my insurance (CIGNA) so im excited and nervous. I started to cry when I saw the dietician ( who I adored) I just got so emotional talking about my eating issues and the fact that I never thought I would be in this position but thankful I am able to have this done. So anyone who sees Dr. Patterson, Can you give me an Idea what will happen in the months to come? Do you find her easy to talk to? Thanks so much.

Helen

Dr. Patterson is a very skilled surgeon and she did my procedure on July 9th. She is very professional and fairly blunt, so don't expect warm and very compassionate bedside manner. Which is fine for me, but not for everyone I am sure. I really has no issues with clinic and I can relate to the emotional issues with talking to the dietician.

As for the next 6 months, I am sure she will be wanting you to loose some weight, not to mention there may or may not be a component required by insurance. The biggest advice I can give you is do not stress, follow the clinics instructions and start going to the support group meetings. Its also very important to follow the clinics diet plan, it will help you prepare for even a more restricted diet after surgery. Also start logging your food on a food tracker website, so that you can start being accountable to yourself and understand what is going into your body.

In my sitation my biggest regret is I didn't start the support group pre-op and now I wish I had, so as I would have someone to talk to during some of the more emotional days post-op.

If you want more info, just email me thru the website

Joe

Thankyou Joe, I appreicate the info. Good luck to you on your journey. Congrats on a new life.

Helen

Hi Joe,

I had VSG with Dr. P on 5/30/12 and never have met with the dietician; only 2 phone calls that were not very helpful.  Have you actually met with a dietician or with a physical therapist?  I feel as though I've fallen through the cracks somehow.  Do you go to the support meetings?  I think I need to connect with those as I would appreciate meeting and discussing this process with others.  

Thank you,  Suzanne

Hi there,

I had surgery with Emma Patterson on 5/30/12 & I think she is definitely one of the top surgeons at this type of surgery.  I cannot believe how my recovery progressed without any problems & to date the only problem I have is "myself".  I hope your process is going well.  I never got to meet with the dietician; I had a couple of phone calls only & those were not helpful at all.  Since my surgery, I have not been to any of the support groups.  Have you been going?   I think it would be good for me to go to them, but I have no idea when they are.  I have a F/U appt on 9/27/12, so will check it out.  I would like to meet you at one in the near future! 

I think you'll do great; no way there is a better surgeon in OR!

Suzanne

I have my first surgeon appt with Dr Patterson on tuesday (25th) iv done all the prelim stuff Ex. physc eval, ekg, blood, work, dietican, etc. What can I expect from my first visit with her, will she put me on a diet and excersise program? i have to see her once a month per my insurance for 6 visits. did you like the bariatric unit at good sam? Do you have any questions i should ask her. I met with the dietican Dulcie and she was very helpful but i sure hope I meet with her after surgery. how much have you lost since surgery? where do you live, im in Wilsonvile.

thanks for writing

helen

Hi Helen,

I live in West Salem and I'm almost 40 months out & 50 lbs down.  I'm not thrilled with my weight loss, but some people lose slower than others.  I measured this morning & have lost 36 inches off the normal places.  I feel like I'm not really losing pounds, but my clothes are getting loser - go figure!!

I really like Dr. Patterson, she's quite direct and seems to be in a hurry most of the time.  Just a 'get to the point' kind of person, but very nice.  I asked her about how many VSG's she does a year, I asked her about what types of complications are most common & then I asked her rate of incidences.  I was more than pleased with her responses.  I think she has a very progressive meal plan when I read what others have to endure on this website.  One thing I wish I would have asked her was about the nerve endings in the stomach -- I see a lot of posts on her about our poor stomachs going through so much and having nerve endings cut.  I just don't recall having a conversation with her about that specific issue.

I wrote my questions down & went right down the line in our first appointment.  She didn't mind at all!  The bariatric unit at Good Sam was awesome.  They were responsible & responsive.  Very knowledgeable about Dr. Patterson and her process.  I think she's has an exceptional surgical staff with her & she personally put together her anesthesiology team.

Do you go to the support group meetings?  Which surgery are you having?

I have a post-op appt with Dr. Raum on 9/27 so lets check in later in the week; OK?  

Suzanne

I am having RNY, I go see her tomorrow, Iv heard she is very good at what she does, i work wednesday nights so i cant go to meeting, i psend alot of times on the message board but to be honest it just makes me worry, io have 2 frineds who have had it done and both did well, i dpost tomorrow after i see her. thanks and good luck

Dr. Patterson did my RNY on 1/16/12.

I Went from a size 22 to a size 2.  I found Dr. Patterson to be businesslike with appropriate bedside manner. She made me feel comfortable and took all the time I needed to answer any questions. The hard part was getting the insurance approval, which took two years and a lot of work by Dr. Patterson and her office. 

I know it's been a little while since your surgery so you already know some of what to expect, but if your pre-op appetite has not come back yet- be prepared! It will!  My old sugar/carb cravings are as bad as they were before surgery. And if I give in to them, gastric consequences ensue. I make sure to exercise every day and try to stick to a strictly regimented routine to avoid falling back into bad habits. 

I sure wish I could have plastic surgery. Losing 100lbs in 9 months means I have tons of loose skin that will never go away. I would bet that there is 20lbs or so of hanging skin everywhere. The worst spot is my belly but my thighs, backside, arms, knees all have to be kept completely covered at all times. My neck and face is bad too but there is nothing I can do about that.