Robert Read Bariatric Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S.

I have my first seminar On Oct 25th of 2004, to hear all about the surgery and I am so excited I cant wait.

Dr. Read did my colon cancer surgery in June 2002. He is a very caring and personable surgeon. His bariatric staff is very efficient and easy to deal with. The aftercare program that they have is great. I have attended a support meeting and will be attending all that I can in the future. I have found that Dr. Read and his staff are there for their patients in every way possible.

Dr Read seems to be very compassionate and concerned about his patients. Today I went to a seminar he gave regarding the entire process. He seemed to be very patient with all the questions, and wanted to be sure he had completely informed patients. He is very human, with an occassional joking attitude, but appropriately serious about the risks and rewards of the surgery.

Susan, his assistant, has been described as "a mother hen". She is working very hard to make our groups worthwile, and always has the time to work with you.

This practice is just growing in this area, and they are working to put together a core group of physicians, psychologists, etc to form a Bariatric Group.

Dr Read and Susan have a very good idea of what they are doing, before, during, and after the surgery, but are still working on the materials needed to provide a "slick look" to the program. Most materials are very good as far as content, but are just typed papers that are copied off. They are working on it.

Personal friends in the community that work with Dr. Read in his other surgical efforts speak very highly of him. For example, he is the chief of trauma at the hospital, and a friend who is a trauma nurse there says he is the best she has worked with.

Areas that this team could perhaps improve upon:

-Educate the rest of the medical community around the area.
-Improve the structure around the whole thing to give a more professional look. (Pamphlets, formalized aftercare program materials, Give a total package look)
-Work toward a more comprehensive aftercare program. The emphasis on passing off to the PCP after the surgery comes off initially too strong (although later on you realize that he intends to be there following up.)

So far, I am very impressed with the office and the surgeon. I'll comment more after I have had the surgery!

3/10/2004 Can't believe I never made it back here! Dr. Read and Susan have been very supportive. The surgery was successful, and the follow-up was great, even though I had to move out of state. Susan kept in touch, and allowed "drop-in" appointments whenever I was in town. I had since heard they stopped doing the surgeries, but now are back. I am very happy to hear that they were able to return to the practice. I believe that this office has the best of both worlds, great competence, excellent bedside manner. Top notch - professional and personal.

Dr. Read is very cordial and comfortable to talk with about the surgery. He is thorough and draws a picture on paper while he discusses it with his pt. He is organized and complete in his discussion of the risks and benefits of this surgery. He asks for questions and gives plenty of time for you to think and ask whatever you need to know. He obviously cares deeply about what he is doing for and with his pts. He has a nicely organized program which is very user friendly. All the meetings that I have attended have been informative and well run. I am thrilled to be having this great team as my partner in the building of my new life!! I would give Dr.Read and his staff highest ratings for their work!!

July 16th, 2001

I have a appointment set up to meet with Dr. Emma J. Patterson at The Oregon Clinic, Surgery Division on Nov. 13th, 2001

July 17th, 2001

I called my PCP and the receptionist told me that she spoke with, a gal that works for my insurance company, and she said that they were denying my case. One of the reason, is that Dr. Emma J. Patterson, was out of the area of Physicians that they use, so I asked what doctor does this in our area ? I found out that Dr. Robert Read does this Laparoscopic Bypass procedure in my area. So I set up a appointment to meet with him on Sept. 17th. while waiting for my denial letter. I really like what I heard from talking with the gal that helps Dr. Robert Read with the Gastric Bypass Program, because she said that he request that his patients go to a few workshops that they have, before and after the procedure and that you have to be willing to keep a follow up for 1 year. I'm more then willing. I am going to go to my first workshop Aug. 11th.

August 11th, 2001 I went to a Bariatic Support Group that Dr. Robert Read offers, and met him for the first time. He is very nice, and I could of listened to him talk for hours. He answers any and all questions and presented a slide show, which showed you exactly what he does, how the surgery works, and the risk, etc. If my insurance company will approve this surgery, he will be my surgeon. I would recommend him to anyone, considering to have surgery. He is very caring, and has these support group meetings to help you. It is nice to hear people talk about how much weight they have lost, and how many days, months, etc. that it has been since they had their surgery, the good and the bad sides of it.

Oct. 18th, 2001 I am working with Susan, which helps out Dr. Robert Read, the surgeon that I have chose, and she has been a big help, and I would recommend this Surgeon for anyone interested in having Gastric Bypass surgery. I'm just waiting for my approval to have my surgery. I have met the surgeon at the Gastric Bypass meetings, but I haven't seen him for a consultation, yet. I will set that up, once I get the approval, which I hope to get in 6 months.

May 14th, 2002 Today I finally got to meet the surgeon on a one on one basis, and he was very straight forward about the good and the bad with having this surgery, and he answered all of my questions, and reasured me that he would do everything in his power to make sure I have a sucessful surgery. I would recommend him to any one who is trying to find a surgeon.

March 2003 Dr. Read will no longer be doing any Weight loss surgeries as of now, because of the cost of his Malpratice insurance going sky high. It is sad, because he is a great surgeon, and has helped so many of us, and there were so many others waiting to have surgery. It's terrible that insurance companies can cause someone to have to stop doing something they love, and that was helping people regain their health and life back.

I have changed doctors - Dr Robert Read in Corvallis Or will be doing my surgery on November 6, 2002. My previous physician wanted to do a DS and I felt that was too drastic for my BMI. I have been going to Dr Read's support group meetings monthly and find that they are very informational and the nurse, Susan, is extreemly helpful.

Dr Read is a extremely upbeat friendly man. He is professional yet very approachable. He explained everything in a practicle way. He truly care about his patients. You and not just a number. His program is wonderful. Other physicians in the area have commented that his program is one of the best they have heard of. You don't get dropped or forgotten about.

9/30/01
I am so excited...my first support group meeting is Oct 13. I am so anxious I can hardly stand it. I still wake up with back pain every night. I can't wait to head down the other side of this roller coaster. I was researching this site, and found someone with the same insurance as me and she was approved...Thats reasurring. That is a fear of mine, not being approved but I have faith that God will help me through all of this. Well I will update more after my support group meeting.
3/21/02
I went to Dr Reads bariatric class and my husband and I were very impressed. Dr. Read is so caring and explained everything so well. Now I fully understand what Im getting into. And I cant say enough good things about Susan either, shes wonderful. I am glad I chose there office for such a major step in my life.

My communication with Dr. Read's staff has been via the phone so far. I have been extremely impressed with the professional and curteous manner in which his office conducts business. Susan was very supportive and gave me a lot of great information. His office obviously care about their patients and consider a Bariatric patient to be life-long. They offer many support services and insist upon support groups and a class before scheduling surgery. Any Dr. who is that concerned with my knowledge of the surgery both positive and negative has my vote. I will continue to consider Dr. Read as a surgeon. I have made the first steps in changing my insurance provider and have the Bariatric class scheduled for tomorrow night. I would rate my emotional state as guarded optimism. As for the last question, I believe competence is the number one priority in identifying a surgeon, but with this surgery, there is a lot of emotional needs that need to be met. I need both competence and a good bedside manner.

Since my last note, I have taken the class that Dr. Read offers as well as the several of the monthly support group meetings. I have also had my consultation with Dr. Read and Susan and have been approved and have a surgery date scheduled. Dr. Read and his staff are terrific. Susan did most of the leg work and was great at keeping me in the loop. I feel very good about my decision and comfortable with my surgeon. I am very excited.