Oregon Clinic Bariatric Center

I would recommend Dr. Swanstrom if you live in the area and are looking for a Bariatric Surgeon. There are only a few in the area and fronm what I\'ve experienced and learned, his program at the Oregon Clinic is the best around. I was a little concerned at his laid back attitude, but thats just the way he is. He performed this life saving surgery for me and was very kind, thoughtful, etc. I must admit that because he is so great, his office staff is more than overwhelmed and so It was a little frustrating going through the process of appointments and tests. But with some perseverance I stuck it out and the wait was well worth the results.

They do also have a structured post surgery program and their office also runs the pre/post op group sessions for patients in the area.

Overall rating is GREAT!

He was very short and I never even saw him after my surgery. He has not done a good job of informing me of alot of this I need to know. I would not recommend him to anyone.

when I met with Dr. Swanstrom I already had all my other visits done with my pcp, psycologist, and the nutrionalist, I think he requires that. I thought he was nice and right to the point, maybe slightly aloof.He didn't really explain the surgery to me and I only found out later that he does only one kind(the gastric by-pass) It was sort of a quick visit, so I didn't really get a total feel for him, but I know he's a good surgeon, I picked him for that reason not because of his bedside manner. I hope to get to know him a little better at the pre-op visit.His office staff were all very nice, except that somehow my paperwork got held up with some transcription problem and didn't get faxed in to my insurance co for over a month, and that really slowed things down.I think I should have asked more questions, when I had the chance.I think they do have a pretty structured aftercare program.

I have not had a whole lot of time to get to know Dr. Swanstrom as most of the pre-op appointments were with other Doctors. He seems to be a very patient man and answered any questions I had. I hear he is a very talented surgeon from all that talk about him. I guess I'll find out!

Still do not know a whole lot about Dr. Swanstrom even though I have already had surgery. He checked in on me in the hospital the first two days after surgery. I couldn't think of many questions to ask since I was not thinking about too far in the future right after surgery. I was thinking, why won't they let me sleep (lots of stats being run on you, seems like every 2 hours) or when is the next pain shot. When I left the hospital and woke up the next day, all of the sudden I had questions. The thing I liked least about the whole thing is that it has been very hard to get through to anyone who could answer questions for me. My sister in Washington, was given a hotline number where she could ask questions antytime. I think there should be somewhere for post-op patients to call where they can get a same day response to medical questions. Swanstrom recommends going to the support group after surgery and keeping in contact with the dietician for diet information. Overall, I think Dr. Swanstrom is a good surgeon, but I feel that the office and the Dr. are so busy, that it is difficult to get any kind of one on one attention that I would like to be able to have after a major surgery.

I had posted some things up here, but decided I had changed my mind about my surgeon. He is very young looking and I wasn't sure about him at first. He is really to quiet for me, but he was a good surgeon and that was what really counted to me. I didn't like the office staff at first, but have grown to really like them. I believe that Dr. Swanstrom is very cautious with his patients and that is a good thing. He really pushes for you to be involved with support groups.

I was impressed with Dr Swanstrom because he was willing
to take all the time I needed to answer my
questions no matter how stupid they may have seemed.
He was great too..friendly, competent, could use a
little more tact..but after all he is a surgeon ya know!
The staff was very friendly and informative,
especially Amber. God Bless HER!
I had to figure out my medications as far as what
could be crushed etc after surgery...so I made
some suggestions to the staff that maybe they need
a pharmacy consult presurgery for some patients.
Aftercare is structured...they keep you on a
schedule of who and when to see and what you
need to know. They recommend attending support
group meetings regularly. Overall I would give
the whole experience an 8 1/2.

I thought he was too skinny to possibly be able to know how I felt. But he and his office staff are very supportive and skilled. I would recommend them to anyone. I have even gotten personal phone calls from the surgeons themselves to see how I am doing at home! How is that for caring?!I was informed of everything prior to going in, even the anethesiologist was just super. I was treated pretty well in the hospital, and through the entire plan of attack. I have a specific diet I am to follow, that is the hardest. I did ok the first week, but now going into week 2 and feeling so much better, I really can not wait to get to the real food again. I will attend the support group tomorrow night. The surgeons even show up for it!

Young. I really like the office staff, they have been real helpful in answering any questions I have, infact they appeared impressed that on my second visit, I actually had questions that I had come up with, showing that I was beginning to do some research. My first visit, I had yet to learn of all the sites available on the net, and since I just kinda fell into the consideration of the surgery in a short time, I had not really done any research at all. All I knew was that my father had a WLS in 1977 (give or take) and that he lost weight, and that I had just been approved for it to be done by a physician that under no condition would I ever bother to see again. So after I had my first consult with Dr. Swanstrom, which was only after I had already seen a pychiatrist, a dietician, and an internal medician Dr. per his requirements prior to consult, which in itself impressed me, then I began my research. I have full trust in he and his collegues, and know the staff at the Hospital quite well, my husband is a "frequent flyer" due to diabetic & kidney failure issues, and know I will be in the best of hands. So on with the show....Let me add that I watched the video that adoctorinyourhouse.com showed of Carnie Wilsons Lap RNY which really helped to ease any nervousness I may have had. It showed the tools that would be used and what would be done, as well as spoke with the surgeons and staff involved. The respiratory tube is the only thing that frightens me right now but that is due mostly in part because of my claustrophobia. On the negative side of my visit to Dr. Swanstroms office: The only thing that upset me was the fact that I was not informed of the 24 hour pH process to be done in regards to my Esophagus. I did not know that it would entail my having a tube in my nose and down my throat for a 24 hour period. I was lucky to have been on vacation during the time of my appointment, otherwise I would have been forced to wear the contraption to my place of employment, or call in sick. Which with such a short notice to them would have been impossible. And the attractiveness as well as the inconvience of the apparatus would have made my working enviornment for that day humiliating as well as impossible, as I work in Retail and deal with customers constantly. I am sure it was just an oversite on their part, but it could have and should have been avoided. It quite possibly could have caused me to have been repremanded at my job, or even jepordized it, due to the fact that there is no way I would have worn that into the workplace, which means my only other option would have been to postpone the test. Which is what I would have done. Which would have added an inconvienence to both myself and the office staff, but it would have been the only other alternative. They were very apologetic, and understanding in regards to this issue though and all was forgiven. I wore the apparatus home and dealt with the humiliation only with my husband and son. The son, being 10, called me the family robot but besides that and just the small inconvienence of being attached to something, the process was not painful. Just annoying. But it all boils down to doing whatever may be necessary to add to the safety of the procedure by all persons involved.

My surgeon was Dr. Lee Swanstom in Portland. He is straight forward, pulls no punches and has high expectations of his patients. And if we can't meet them then what the heck are we doing contemplating this kind of life changing surgery? Aftercare is essential with Dr. Swanstrom, and you as the patient must be willing to make a commitment that you will attend support group meetings, stay in contact with the dietician, maintain your mental and emotional health as well as exercise and regular follow ups with him and an obesity internist. Dr. Swanstrom requires you to be part of a team care approach that is an amazing network. I had considered traveling to Tacoma, WA - but feel so blessed to have found my own team of "angels" right here in the City of Roses.

I was skeptical of Dr. Swanstrom because he hasn't been doing RNY surgery very long. However every doctor I have talked to says what an incredible surgeon he is. He is the chief surgeon of Emanuel Hospital's minimally invasive surgery unit. He specializes in lap surgery of the esophagus, intestines, and stomach.
He likes to try to discourage people from having the surgery to start with. He wants to know that you are commited! Once you show that commitment, he is with you. One thing I didn't like is that his office does very little to help with the insurance approval. The only thing they did is write a letter to the insurance company. It was a very good letter that listed why the surgery was medically necessary. I would have liked more help with insurance approval.