| Comments From Patients |
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Becki B.
St. Helens, OR
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Surgery date August 2001
Lap duodenal swtich, Portland Oregon
First impression: rather crisp personality. Dr. Patterson was suprised and taken aback that I had done my research and knew I wanted the duodenal switch. "I've never heard of patients going to their doctor and telling them what surgery they want. You'd never go to a heart surgeon and specify what procedure they should do." However, I think as informed consumers seeking an elective surgery, picking our surgery type is exactly what we should do!
Impression changing over time: I had several surgeries with Dr. P. She did my WLS, also hernia, gall bladder, appendix, pancreatitis...an EXCELLENT techincal surgeon.
Office staff: In 2001, they were disorganized and infighting. Don't know about now.
Liked least: The... [Click here for more] dislike for the duodenal switch surgery (she stopped doing it after me) Direct quote: "I think the DS is too drastic for a FIRST weight loss surgery" What the heck? You're expected to need more than one??
Future patients: Does NOT do the DS. Therefore I can't recommend her. However, if you are wanting/or can only get covered the RNY or band, she's a great technical surgeon.
Structured aftercare: Now it is very structured from what I've heard. When I had my surgery I was told that aftercare was covered for life. However, the practice's suopport groups emphasize other surgeries so this is less helpful for me.
Risks of surgery: I was told about complication rates. I personally believe the plusses of other surgery types are over emphasized and the risks/downsides of other types are downplayed.
Most annoying thing: All patients were given a 24 hour PH test before surgery when I had mine. This meant an uncomfortable tube down your nose for 24 hours with a button to push when you ate. I was told this was necessary to predict and monitor relflux issues and would be repeated in a year to determine damage. I was told it was required and essential for my health. Later, I learned it was part of a study the doc was doing and once the study was over patients were no longer required to do it. This made me feel very angry and I felt it was unethical to require it of me without disclosing the true purpose. I did not have the one year follow up test for this reason.
Which is better: I would say surgical competence is much better than bedside manner or the overall practice/office.
These statements reflect purely my own opinion and are not meant to be taken as medical advice. Medically, I received very competent and appropriate care and can recommend Dr. P on that basis.
Posted on 10/10/2008 |
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Mary R.
Portland, OR
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Dr. Patterson and her staff are of the elite when it comes to surgeons and their offices. I have had a wonderful experience in dealing with them. Posted on 08/04/2008 |
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Kensey L.
HIllsboro, OR
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I first met Dr. Patterson at an info session and she was very knowledgable, confident, and a generally nice person. While I was a little intimidated by her no-nonsense attitude at first, I quickly grew to love that about her.
Because of issues with my husband's job in the military, it quickly became apparent that either my surgery would have to be rushed or post-poned until we reached our new duty station. 2 and a half months after our intial meeting at the info session I walked into her office for my "consultation" totally expecting her to say, "I'm sorry, I can't do this with you leaving so soon" but instead, she said something like, "Well, I'd really like to get this done for you before you leave...how about next Friday?" I was totally blown away! She went out of her way to... [Click here for more] get an expedited insurance approval and contacted a doctor that she knew in the city I am moving to ask him to provide my follow-up care. Here I am, three days out from surgery, and I feel totally calm and confident in Dr. Patterson's ability as a surgeon and I am very happy to have her taking care of me.
Posted on 05/06/2008 |
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Colleen S.
Portland, OR
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i went to a seminar she held in downtown portland and was very impressed by her knowledge and especially how many successful surgeries she has done. when i met her and talked to her in person she was the kindest doctor i had ever met. i was always meeting doctors who didnt care to work with obese people but she was different. her attitude and personality are very warming and makes you smile and very comfortable. Posted on 02/23/2008 |
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Melissa B.
OR
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The first time I became familiar with Patterson was at the seminar-she was informative but I didn't think I'd like her much. I met with her for my initial surgery consult recently and found that I really do like her-she's very approachable, doesn't talk down to you, explains her reasoning, and seems to be the best of the best in her field. Her office staff were ok, and her waiting room is much nicer than the obesity institute's-you can easily tell who's raking in the dollars between the two. Her staff were just ok, not very friendly though and the doc that came in before Patterson (her fellow I think)-an east Indian gentleman had a very thick accent that was difficult to understand at times. One thing I noted about the exam room was that there was no clock and for good reason-I ended... [Click here for more] waiting around for a looong time. Overall I felt much more comfortable with having the surgery after meeting with Patterson!
Posted on 12/02/2007 |
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Paula M.
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my surgeon was very nice, she and her staff helped me with all of my needs and questions they even scheduled my appoints with the pre off things together so that I wouldn't have to fly to so often. I received a packet before the surgery seen video and had meetings all explaining the risks and bennifits of surgery. she is funny and sincere overall a great surgeon that knows her stuff. She has an aftercare program and ther wasn't anything that I didn't like about her. Posted on 11/27/2007 |
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Christopher P.
Long Beach, CA
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I loved Dr. Patterson. We seemed to click well.
I moved away from Portland, OR 2 years after surgery. After 4 years of being away I contacted the office and she said to stop by and she chatted with me and was very interested in my continuing journey.
Emma is the Best ! Posted on 11/16/2007 |
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Stefania T.
Portland, OR
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I think Dr. Patterson is the best surgeon out this for these kinds of procedures. She is caring and will not sugar coat anything. She tells you what the reality is. My impression of her has changed over time from great to the best. Her office staff is also wonderful. Any problem I had they always found answers for me or found someone who had answers for me. They also cared about me and how I felt every time I want in. Dr. Patterson told me the risks of all the surgeries and which one she recommended for me and why she recommended that to me. She emphasized aftercare a lot and always told me that it was up to me to make sure I get it done. There is nothing I can really say I liked least about her other then that fact that she has very very little time :). I think her surgical competence... [Click here for more] and bedside manner were both great. I would recommend her to everyone!!
Posted on 11/11/2007 |
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Melanie S.
Portland, OR
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Nice, to the point, has a good reputation. Trains others in this surgery. Posted on 09/27/2007 |
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Christi E.
Hillsboro, OR
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Dr. Patterson is very professional and personable. Her staff is incredible and knowledgeable. Dr Patterson addressed the risks involved and the center where I am having the surgery has an extemely structured aftercare program. I would rate her highly. I appreciated the fact that she took the time to speak with me, and I mean with me not at me, about the entire procedure, and was very willing and accepting of answering my questions. Posted on 08/18/2007 |
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