Hey -- have a question for you......I am getting ready to move back to Oregon in about 3 weeks - yeah!! -- and am trying to locate some docs who work with lap bands. I was banded 3-1-04, and have had 2 fills, now at 2.75. I'm at a 60 pound weight loss, with about 30 lbs to go - yeah again!!

I am moving to Medford - southern Oregon - but haven't found much info on the Internet to help me locate a fill doc. Any thoughts? I figure I can drive to a doc as long as it's not all the way to Portland - hopefully.

I was raised in Oregon, have been gone only 3 years, living in Wisconsin now. Can't wait to get home!!


Patty G
banded: 3/1/04
298/238/210ish?

Hi Patti,
I haven't need a fill yet but do know of several fill doctors in Oregon. I am going to use Tom Eubanks in Portland and I have heard he is excellent. There is a Dr. Tersigni in Coos Bay and I have heard a lot of negative things on him. There are fill docs up in Bend Oregon and I know of one in the klamath falls area. I live in the Eugene area but we own a small peice of property just a few minutes north of grants pass. That is a nice area down there in southern oregon. Gets HOT in the summer though. I'll try to find the list of names and phone numbers for those doctors. I know a lot of them charge something like $300-$400 (some w/ flouroscopy and some without) but I had a friend try Eubanks and she loved him and he got her port on the first try. He only charges $150 the first visit and $75 for all other visits without the flouroscopy. She was so happy with him, it made me feel more confident about using him for fills when I need them but I know he won't be as close to your area. Good luck and would love to meet you sometime. Teresa


Dr. Lopez
5/8/04
362/299/???

Here is the Oregon Bandsters sight too:
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/OregonBandsters/

Thanks! I got the name of Dr Flaherty in the Eugene area from the Bariatrics Society, have you heard of him? I wish I could bring Dr Chiang with me, he's an awesome doc here in Milwaukee that did my surgery. Cost isn't an issue as much as finding a good doc that will take me post-op from another doc.....some docs don't like doing that. I just had a fill a week ago, so I'm good to go for a while, but will need to have a doc there so that when I get into the maintenance phase I can have the adjustments done.

Thank! Maybe we can "do lunch" sometime, never know!

Patty G

Hi Patty,

I have never heard of that doctor and had no idea there was a fill doctor in Eugene. I will have to do some research on this. Before my banding I made sure I had a doctor in Portland lined up but I still haven't met him yet or gotten a fill. I did refer another person to him and she loved him so that was a positive thing for me to hear. It would be nicer to get them closer to home though, so I will try to look up this doctor you mentioned. I would love to do lunch sometime too. Teresa:)

I have talked with a woman online who was banded by Dr. Raul Mirande of Klamath Falls. She really likes him a lot.

I have heard of Dr. Mirande too and had called them before being banded to see if they would take me as a patient. They would but it is kind of as a last resort. They are several hours away from my location and I thought they cost a lot. Glad to hear more good things about him though. Teresa

I have phoned Dr. Eubanks office numerous times and left my name and number and no one will return my calls. I told them that
I was banded in Mexico, could this be why????

Kathy

I've heard his name before....and I think he currently specializes in RnY surgery....no idea whether he still works with banders....he was on my early list....never actually saw him because I didn't want RnY....

the contacts I've had with the Bend clinic were absolutely wonderful but I never went there either....

keep up the good work, and let us know who you come up with...

I'm still pre-op...

I was just banded 6/22/06 and I spoke to a doc in Eugen her name was Kelly Fitzpatrick. She seemed very nice. I have not had a fill so not sure how she does it but she is in Eugene.:nervous

I am not banded yet and I will be using a satellite office of my surgeons who are in CA, BUT I live in Medford Oregon and I know that Ashland has the southern oregon bariatrics I believe there called and they do the lap band surgery but I dont know anything about them, but you could check them out as well as Ashland Community Hospital may do them as well. Also Dr. Mirande in Klamath Falls is a possibility I have heard good things on him, but dont know much about him either. I have heard negative things about Dr. Tersigni in Coos Bay and I was not impressed with them when I did my research for lap band surgeons. I hope this helps alittle. Nice to see another Southern Oregon Bandster on here.

Have you tried Dr. Tom Eubanks yet? Where is he located? I am still researching before surgery.

Thanks
Jan

I too would love info on Dr. Eubanks. Tried to find # on internet and couldn't--anyone have his number or website? Thanks!

I went to Dr. Kelly for fills when she was still in Portland when I had my first band. She is a real sweetheart. You'll love her. She is a naturopathic physician and RN. She does not do the flouro. She's great about hitting your port first time...no problem. And she gives you a hug when you leave. She is extremely warm and caring. My only warning (and this has NOTHING to do with Dr. Kelly) is that you should get your band checked out under x-ray or flouro from time to time by somebody who knows something about the band. I was banded the first time the same day as Jack (hey buddy) 12/21/04. Unfortunately I caught a horrible stomach virus after having it 7 months. The virus made me throw up everything...even water. Dr. Kelly took all my fill out and then had me have x-rays taken. The x-ray doc here in Eugene said my band was fine. It wasn't. It was slipped very badly from my vomiting. Ended up calling Dr. Ortiz (my surgeon) during his vacation and flying down to Mexico for emergency surgery and I lost my band.

I have been banded again (4/11/06), but have not had a fill yet. My mom died unexpectedly 2 weeks before I got my band. With my emotions and stress I didn't feel it was wise to get a fill as soon as I could. I have set it up to see Dr. Koning in Bend next week. I met him at a seminar before I got my 2nd band and asked him if he would do my after care. He was pleased I was going to Dr. Ortiz and said he would be happy to. Right now I've only lost 17 pounds since getting my band, but having no fill and with all the stress I've been under I'm giving myself permission to relax about it. Now I'm looking forward to getting my fill and seeing what Dr. Koning has to say.

I wish the best of luck to all of you!!

Jan & Trizzy-the last I heard from Teresa about Dr. Eubanks was that he lost his insurance to care for "international patients" who go to Mexico. That post from hagerteresa was done in 2004. Not sure if Eubanks got that insurance thing corrected or not. Teresa???