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Surgeon TestimonialClifford Deveney, M.D.Surgery Update: Since the below paragraph was written, I have gone through the surgery. Dr. Deveney and his staff are on my A list. They are wonderful! Dr. Deveney has personality and a great bedside manner even though he is extremely busy. He takes everything into consideration and answers questions in a direct and concise manner. He personally came in every evening, and he had two physicians that assisted in the surgery who have also followed up. I had a question this week-end about some bruising that I had and so I called the emergency number that I was given, and was able to specifically talk to a physician that works with Dr. Deveney and new I had been released on Friday. I felt well attended the entire time that I was in Dr. Deveney's care!
My daughter and I went up for my pre-op consultation. We got to meet Dr. Deveney, and we were both very impressed. We had attended the Seminar, and met him for the first time. I didn't request a doc, because I really wanted Dr. Deveney, but didn't want to be disappointed if I couldn't get him. I was able to ask all of the questions on my list (I took a list of typed out questions). My daughter got to ask her questions also. Hers were 1) Do you listen to music when doing surgery and if so, what kind?; and, 2) could you make the scars from my moms surgery look like a butterfly?. Dr Deveney chuckled and we had a great visit with him. Susan is also great, and Dr. Deveney's Surgery nurse also stopped by to say "hi"....so we've met part of the team! I am so excited for the surgery!
Latest Surgery Support Comments
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Gayla, good luck
with your surgery.
I will be right
there with you
having mine done!
Jan K.
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Wednesday is your
day! Just remember
you are on the
journey of a
lifetime. Try to
enjoy every minute.
It may sound weird
now, but know that
you are cared for
and prayed for here,
and all too soon
this will be but a
memory and you will
be an inspiration to
someone else. I am
waiting for you on
the losers' bench! ~
JudyAnne
 Comment by calgal on 5/20/07 3:13 pm
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I am 5'3" and weigh 315lbs. I am hoping to have surgery at OHSU in Oregon. I am excited to start this new way of life, and yet nervous. I've failed at dieting, and have been dieting even as a teen weighing 115 lbs. I've always thought I was fat. I can't remember a time that I didn't think I was fat.
At this point in my life, I look forward to being more healthy, stronger and able to get down on the floor with my grandchildren and playing. I want to be able to go to my grandsons sports events without worrying that I am embarassing them.
I want to know my husband is proud of how I look, not just say he is.
I can't wait to go to a store and buy something that feels good to wear - not just night gowns!
It's been a year! on May 20, 2008 4:36 am
Wow - this year has gone by so quickly - I can't even imagine. So many changes in my life - all because of the weight loss! It's amazing to me. I feel so much better. The chronic pain is still an issue, but not nearly as much as when I weighed 140 lbs more than I weigh right now.
Life is basically good. I just can't complain. I"m wearing a lot of the vintage jewelry that I was not able to wear in the past. My husband is constantly praising me, I am loving going places and not being stared at like I am some sort of freak. I am also loving being able to get down on the floor with my grands - and attending their sports events without worrying that I am an embarassment for them.
The one thing that I have struggled to deal with is my physical appearance. I find that I don't even want to go out of the house without make up on. Looking in the mirror is difficult, because I don't recognize myself. I look so different. Not a bad different - it's just that I don't know who I am.
Going shopping and buying clothing is also hard, because I still go look at the 4X sizes, and I have no concept of what size I wear now. I have to take my daughters with me, because I also don't know my "style". All of these things are minor compared to the fact that I was once in a wheel chair and using a walker because I had a difficult time getting around any other way! I love life right now!
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8 month Check up with Dr. Deveney on January 17, 2008 1:27 pm
Well, it's been almost a full eight months since I had the gastric by-pass. I saw Dr. Deveney this week, and found that I have lost a total of 110 lbs. As I think back to the day before the surgery, I remember looking at before and after pictures of various people that have had the surgery. I remember thinking, "only if...." Only if that could be me, only if I could actually lose that much weight in that short of time.....but I know I won't." Here I am...one of those people.
Everytime I see Dr. Deveney or go up to OHSU, I feel so much gratitude that I had this chance to get my life back. It is amazing the difference in me - not only in looks, but in how I actually feel.
Yes, I still have the fibromyalgia, RSD and those annoying chronic aches and pains, but I am no longer in that wheel chair, and no longer using that walker, and no longer too ashamed to face the public places.
I have had a lot of "a-ha" moments. Last week I was able to get to near the top of the bleachers to watch my grand children play basketball. I went from a size 30 to a size 20. I fit into a normal bathroom stall, and no longer have to use the handicap stall. My grandkids get their arms all the way around me when they give me a hug, and that surprises them as well as me! The list just goes on and on and on.
I am having some problems with these hot and cold flashes. That is quite a challenge when it comes to getting dressed each day. What do I wear? Why do I have these flashes of tempreture change? Dr. Deveney told me to be patient, and wait until next summer - that the issue will probably be non-existant. I also have had some tremendous hair loss, and again he told me that the hair will grow back, and not to worry about it.
I told him that it's hard to complain about any of the "problems" that I am having, because of the incredible change in my life being so much better. I've yet to have even a moment of regret as far as getting the gastric by-pass! It's all been a good thing.
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On the Losers Bench - Finally! on May 28, 2007 5:22 pm
I've finally made it to the loser's Bench! It's a good feeling, and so far I have no regrets. I am 5 days post-op. Surgery went well, with Dr. Deveney making a little bit smaller pouch. That's okay by me. Because of the health risks, he wanted to make sure that I was able to lose the weigh quicker.
Post-op was a little more difficult, because apparently someone forgot to read the notes that I am hypersensitive to medication. With a full dose, they must have been very surprised that I just couldn't get woke up. I was in Post-op for several hours. My daughters were getting concerned and worried by 8:45. Shortly after 9:30 I arrived to hit the very nice private room, and I came in demanding that it was okay to walk as per Dr. Deveney! Well, I don't think he said it was okay for me to walk right after coming out of Post Op, and I am positive he wanted me to wait until I got my legs under me! LOL - I am so terrible on drugs! Apparently I just wanted to keep going, walking and ect. My daughters both said it was all they and the nurses could do to keep me in bed until I realized where I was and what was going on.
I left the hospital with a 4.6 lb gain, which isn't a big surprise. I was retaining fluids. I know that my body with balance out and I will start losing again. Since I don't have a scale, I have no idea how much weight I have lost at this point. I just know that I am struggling to get all of the liquids that I need each day. I can only get better, and you can bet I am trying very hard to make it happen.
All of the pre op work that I did and that my daughters and husband did to help me prepare for coming home certainly paid off. The baby spoons, the small 2 oz size dishes and all of the extra work that we went to has been very helpful.
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Anxiety Mounts & The OH Support Troops Move In! on May 17, 2007 1:58 am
Yesterday was one of those days that I hope never to repeat. Basically, I spent the entire day feeling very teary, anxious and needy. I woke up exhausted, because I was having leg cramps. I had also removed my c-pap mask sometime during the night, so my sleeping probably wasn't as restful as it could have been.
I sent emails out to all of the people on my friends list, begging for support, prayer and encouragement. This is totally unlike me to do such a thing. However, it was probably the correct thing to do. After all, how are we going to get our needs met if we don't take the responsiblity of asking for help. As it turns out, all of the OH friends that I have were totally supportive, and they all wrote to tell me that all of the anxiety that I felt was normal, and that it was okay....there are better things on the otherside of surgery to look forward to!
One of the coolest things to happen, though, was that someone who lives in my area wrote and asked me to attend the support group last night. Now, I am not one to go to support groups (even though, as a counselor I often made in mandatory for my clients to participate in support groups). For a reason that only God knows, I checked my messages right after waking up from a nap. I read the invitation to the support group, picked up the phone without thinking about it, and got Kims address. The support group met only an hour later.
It was one of the best things that I have done for myself. The support from these women was incredible. The encouragement was exactly what I needed! We all need support, and when going through a life changing and rearranging decision, it is even more important that the support are peers that have been where you have been and and that you are following in their footsteps.
I know the feeling of loneliness and fear instantly disappeared as I felt genuinely welcomed into this group. I listened and learned. I was able to ask questions and get answers. I left feeling at peace and happy, and looking forward to returning to visit the support group again next month.
I'm thinking that one of the best parts of all of this is that sometime soon I will be less needy and be able to support others also. Only 6 more days until I cross to the losing side! It's going to be okay. I know it's going to be okay - I'm going to be okay! I am ready.
To the OH Support Troops - I only wished you knew how much I appreciate the support you gave me today!
Anxiety sets inn on April 19, 2007 7:43 am
The anxiety is starting to set in. I am excited to get the surgery over with and get on the "real" and "longer" part of this journey. I think I have made the decision on what kind of protien drink I am going to use. I like the taste of EAS - it is made of Whey.
I have looked at Dr. Deveney's website and read what all of the people had to say about him. I hope that he will indeed by my doctor, as that is who I am scheduled to have surgery with.
I will make a list of questions I have so that I can hand them to him. I understand he is a very busy man, and I think that this will help him as well as make sure that I am asking all of the questions that I have to ask.
I am going to try to come to OH on a daily basis from here on out. I really need the support and encouragement, as I am not really "fearful" as I am anxious. The nerves are starting to get to me!
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