Center for Health and Healing (waterfront building) 3rd floor conference room. The big main conference room is used on Tuesday evening meetings, while a smaller room is used on the Wednesday meetings. You can also call the office to get more directions.

ETA: parking is free in the parking structure, just take your parking ticket to the front desk on the first floor or up to the digestive health front desk and they will validate it for you.

My questions to everyone are concerning depression after surgery.    My story is: I have recently noticed a loss of pleasure in my life, not just food but many other things I enjoyed prior to surgery. I had someone explain it to me as the loss of a good friend (food). She told me that I was mourning the loss of something that has comforted and supported me through most of my life. I am not suffering anything to severe but I have noticed a slight depression and needed to do something about it, which I have.  I recognized it and am dealing with the feelings that it is bringing into my life. I am again noticing the things that use to bring pleasure into my life and finding new ones.

Others have discribed this mourning or depresison as anger or frustration...   I asked a digestive health profession about this subject and about getting a speaker to discuss this topic. I was a bit thrown back by the response. She commented that they did not want to scare potential patients by the topic and the possibility of depression after surgery.    What do others think? I personally think the the more I know the better I am able to deal.

My insurance required that I lose 5% of my weight to become eligible.  Dr. Archer's nutritionist gave me a plan to follow.  I was successful.  I am 5'1" and started out at 232.6; by the time I had surgery I was at 216.  Today I weigh 186.  Due to my height, repeated dieting, and age it was very hard for me to lose weight.  Even following a diet plan faithfully I would only average around1/4 to 1/2 a pound weight loss a week.  I could never get below 200.  I was originally going to have the lap band, but after meeting with the nutritionist and doctor I chose the RNY because with the lap band and my slow metabolism it would have taken me around 5 years to lose my excess weight.  

Dr. Archer's program suggests that his patients read the following three books, I purchased them and found them very helpful in learning what to expect. 1. Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies; 2. The Success Habits of Weight-Loss Surgery Patients; 3. The Emotional First + Aid Kit - a practical guide to life after bariatric surgery. 

I had been on a diabetes prevention program prior to deciding to have the surgery.  In that program I learned the foods that are best for our bodies.  It has been a great help in preparing me.  I had already given up sodas, white bread, white rice and fried food.  I think that helped with my transition to the RNY.

If you read my story - click on my name you will see how the decision to have RNY and the tests they ran has already saved my life.  I will be having the precancerous cells taken out of my throat in January.

I stayed in the hospital for two nights - one extra night because I had a hiatal hernia corrected at the same time.  Since I traveled from Klamath Falls to Bend Dr. Archer asked me to stay in Bend one night and then see him before traveling home.  I did that.  So far I have had NO complications and no questions as all my questions and concerns that I read other people asking were already addressed in the meetings, the books and the paperwork the program gave me.  This program is very informative and makes sure you know what you are doing.  If I have a question all I have to do is e-mail Kathryn and they get back to me right away.  They have an emergency number to call if you need them when the office is closed.

The worst part - having to drink the stuff they need you to drink to look for leaks, it is kinda of thick and it was the first thing I could drink after surgery.  I wasn't sure if I could do it - but I did. I am experiencing some hair loss - as expected.  I am not going bald but is noticible in the shower that it is coming out.  Don't panic it will grow back.

In the hospital they give you pain medicine in your IV.  I was given liquid pain medicine and anti-nausea medicine to take after leaving the hospital.  I took the medicine the first day and only needed the pain medicine the second night.  I have not needed any medicine at all after the second night home.  I had taken three weeks off work to recover - I liked having the time to get used to the new me.  I felt good enough to bake every day and I walked every day at least 30 minutes.   I was actually suprised how good I felt.  I would say my pain level never got higher than a 5 and averaged around a 2 - not enough for pain meds.

Thanks for responding.  You are almost 2 months post op.  How has your life changed?  What has been the worst part so far?  How long did you stay in the hospital?  At the worst what was your pain level 1 - 10, 10 worst?  I want to be prepared - I know all the medical clinical stuff - thanks for helping!  I hope all goes the way you want it to.  How is Bend's economy doing? I live outside Eugene.
Happy Veterans day to all.  Thank you for your service and to their families sacrifice.

I am.  I went to Bend to the Advanced Specialty Care.  I checked out the center in Medford as it had recently become a Center of Excellence which was required by insurance.  I chose Bend because the contact person - Kathyrn - was the best.  She made everything easy for me and walked me through all processes.  She responds right away.  I have had no complications and have felt good almost immediately after surgery. 

I had RNY on 9/22/09.