Kenneth Welker Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

I've never had a doctor treat me so well before, nor spend so much time with me. I've been a success because of the knowledge I received. I've done what my doctor told me. My surgery was 7 years ago and I would do it again in a heartbeat! Dr. Welker is very easy to talk with, in fact I talked to him for about an hour when he first went to Reedsport,
I've never had a doctor call me back so quickly or talk so openly with me. The man saved my life.

i had surgery with Dr Welker on 7-15-02 and was VERY happy with the results ,im not sure if he stoped doing wls or just moved his pratic to other hospital but just wanted to say he did an awsome job on me not one conplecation have lost over 160lbs now looking for a plastic surgon to finish the job

Outstanding Surgeon, concerned and capable! Excellent choice.

I first met Dr welker in 2002. While looking for a surgeon to help my then 12 years(almost 13) and 328 lbs old Daughter. He was kind and very understanding of my Daughters situation. I can not say enough about Dr Welker. I am convinced that he saved my daughters life. He gave her a new start, a new look at life. She had been ridiculed at school soo badly that I had to home school her for sometime. She would never leave the house for fear of being teased. Kimberly had to sleep sitting up at night because she would stop breathing at night. She had high blood pressure and was borderline diabetic. It was ALOT of pressure for a 12 year old. At first Kimberly was shy with Dr Welker, she really didnt want to talk with him. I guess for fear of being yelled at for being overweight as other Doctors had done in the past. Dr Welker put her right at ease he reasured her that she was NOT a terible person. That there was alot out there for her. His bed side manner was wonderfull we NEVER left his office without him first giving my Daughter an encouraging hug goodbye. She ALWAYS left his office felling like she was somebody. Kimberly is 2 years out she has lost 160 lbs. She is excelling in school, she is working her first job and at 15 is already in line for a management position with her company. I honestly beleve that had it not been For Dr Welker I would not have my daughter here with me today. and so I close with Thank you DR Welker and your staff you are all truly wonderfull and we love all of you!!!!!
The Keene Family.

First impression was great, went home after a friday afternoon appt. and had a phone call on the following tues that I could go in for surgery on Wed. if I could arrange it, too good to be true? Well it happened that way for me. Unfortunately he recentely closed his practice, something about the hospital complaining about to many malpractice issues....what am I to do now? I've tried to contact the office for follow-up referrals to no avail, so here I am looking for assist on the internet... But I personally did not have any problems with him or his staff. They were really helpful and encouranging also most of them patients of WLS. Great

My first impression of Dr. Welker was a positive one. I met him at a local support group meeting. He answered my questions openly and honestly and in terms that we all could understand. Very much a people person. My impression never changed. He treated me with the utmost respect and care. His caring demeanor radiates through his office staff. They are great!

Aftercare is very individualized. The basic principles are given pre-op, support groups are your best source of information. Dr. Welker emphasized this and I agreed to attend for at least a year post-op. I've made such wonderful friends that I will never stop going, as long as we are all here.

The risks were spelled out letter by letter. There were no gray areas. I knew what I was getting myself into well before my surgery date.

Dr. Welker is a 10 on my list. I have the utmost respect and confidence in his surgical capabilities and he has a wonderful bedside manner. The world would be a better place if there were more people like him.

A very caring and impressive man. He knows worlds about the effects of the surgery and our meeting with him was very reassuring. We met him at the hospital and didn't meet his office staff. He does have a structured aftercare, only some of which we can take advantage of from Texas. We will return to Portland for several checkups aas well as having blood work done in Texas.

His bedside manner appears to be first rate and his reputation puts him at the top of his field. Our experiences with Dr. Welker have been 100% favorable so far but haven't had surgery yet.

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I had the surgery and developed a stomach leak which led to MAJOR complications. Dr. Welker clearly saved my life at least twice and I thank him for my being here to type this. He is currently on sabatical and will not be returning to OHSU in Portland.

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Dr. Welker moved from Portland to Eugene and he did a revision of my DS as well as a massive hernia repair and tummy tuck. He did an outstanding job. He has just left Sacred Heart in Eugene and I don't know where he'll wind up.

I WAS VERY IMPRESSED WITH HIM. EVERYONE AT THE SUPPORT GROUP MEETING RECOMMENDED HIM OVER THE OTHER LOCAL DOCTOR.
MY IMPRESSION CHANGED WHEN I GAVE UP MY SURGERY DATE BY MY OWN FREE WILL THREE DAYS BEFORE SURGERY TO WAIT FOR HIM TO TRAIN FOR THE LAP-BAND PROCEDURE. THEN HE PUT ME OFF TELLING ME EVERY MONTH THAT THE THE EQUIPMENT WAS NOT IN YET AND I WAS SCHEDULED WITH THREE OTHER PEOPLE IN THE SAME DAY AND WOULD LET ME KNOW ! EVERY MONTH I CALLED THEY PUSHED IT AHEAD ANOTHER MONTH SAYING STILL NO EQUIPMENT. THEN NEVER CALLED ME BACK. I FELT LIKE A PEST! BUT WE TRAVEL ALOT AND HAVE 4 ACTIVE CHILDREN SO I NEEDED TO KNOW A TIME FRAME .I WAS REVOLVING MY LIFE AROUND THE SURGERY PLAN. WHEN I FINALLY CALLED BACK I WAS INFORMED HE DROPPED ME AS A PATIENT. SO NOW MY OPINION IS HE IS SLIGHTELY FLAKEY!!!!
OFFICE STAFF WERE NICE WHEN YOU COULD GET A HOLD OF THEM! TOOK A FEW DAYS TO EVER GET BACK TO YOU. AND AS EXPLAINED ABOVE STRUNG ME ALONG AND MESSED WITH MY LIFE AND EMOTIONS.
LOVED HIM AND TRUSTED HIM. FELT VERY CONFIDENT AND COMFORTABLE PUTTING MY LIFE IN HIS HANDS. JUST EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED IN HIM AT THE END WITH HIS DISREGARD!
MOST OF HIS PATIENTS THAT I TALKED TO AT THE SUPPORT GROUP THINK HES AWESOME! I AGREED,JUST NOT IN MY CASE.NOTHING SURGERY RELATED OF COURSE.
HE EMPHASIZED AFTER CARE AS VERY IMPORTANT.
YES FROM WHAT I HEARD AND SAW AT THE SUPPORT GROUP THEY HAVE A VERY STUCTURED AFTERCARE PROGRAM THAT HE SEEMS VERY INVOLVED WITH ON A PERSONAL LEVEL WITH HIS PATIENTS. WHICH WAS A GREAT COMFORT TO MYSELF AND MY HUSBAND.
I WAS INFORMED OF ALL THE RISKS AND TOLD I WAS A PERFECT CANIDATE FOR BOTH BY-PASS AND LAP-BAND. UNTIL THREE AND A HALF MONTHS LATER HE HAD A SUDDEN CHANGE OF HEART ABOUT ME AS A PATIENT.IT'S STILL A MYSTERY TO ME.
FELT CONFIDENT IN HIM ,UNFORTUNETLY DIDNT GET THE CHANCE TO FIND OUT FOR MYSELF.
SEEMED TO HAVE A GREAT BEDSIDE MANNER FROM WHAT I COULD TELL. I WASNT HIS PATIENT LONG ENOUGH TO GIVE A SOLID STATEMENT ABOUT THAT.

My first impression of Dr.Welker was that he was very confident with all aspects of the bariatric program, and that he had a genuine interest in the well being of the patient.
The office staff was helpful, but very busy.
Dr. Welker goes over all you need to know of aftercare, and is more than willing to answer any questions you might have. He goes over every step and possible complication at the pre-op appointment. He has everything in writing and reads it to you. He always answers his emails, and never makes you feel like you are bothering him when you call in with a problem.
His surgical competence is excellent as well as his bedside manner. He takes every precaution available to ensure your safety. He makes you feel like you are his only patient when he is with you.
I would recommend the Dr to anyone I care about.

The first time that I met with Dr. Welker, he was very personable and thorough. He not only included me in the conversation, he included my boyfriend, my support person as well. I think that his office staff is great as well, although, I think that they need to hire a couple more people to help out with the people, as they are always so busy.