Emma Patterson Bariatric Surgeon MD, FRCSC, FACS

Met Emma Patterson at an Oregon Weight Loss Surgery Seminar. She was very friendly, informative and answered many questions asked randomly by the audience. rnHer seminar discussed mainly the two forms of surgery performed by her and her associates at Legacy Good Samaritan in Portland, Oregon.rnDr Patterson additionally had a patient on hand to speak about personal experiences as a Lap Band patient. The seminar was something I had to wait two months to go to because of an unexpected snow day that had cancelled my first scheduled appointment. I would have wished that insurance information had been something discussed at the beginning of or prior to the seminar. At the end of the seminar when I did have the opportunity to speak with Dr Patterson's insurance specialists, I was reeling with excitement and liberated feelings of thinking I soon would have the opportunity to experience a healthy life again... only to be bombed by the insurance girls telling me my insurance provider United Health Care, in combination with my employer, Qwest Communications, had stopped providing the benefit coverage during the past year. It would be extremely helpful when scheduling the appointment for visiting a seminar if they exchanged and disclosed important insurance info such as mine at that time, instead of after I have gotten myself psyched up to having something I obviously cannot afford without insurance coverage.

I am very pleased with my surgeon, Dr. Emma Patterson. My inital visit with her seemed somewhat rushed, and my wait-time for that office visit was long. Overall, however, Dr. Patterson was attentive and an undoubtedly competent doctor. She always greeted me with a smile and listened to me. I know how incredibly busy she is, so this was a huge thing for me. What really impressed me about Dr. Patterson, is her tenacity and unrelenting drive when dealing with my insurance company. It's a large HMO and she spent a great deal of time advocating for myself and other members of this insurance. Dr. Patterson is partnered with the Legacy Obesity Institute (Portland, OR). The institute has been very thorough about post-op care, diet, etc. I would recommend both Dr. Patterson and the Obesity Institute for anyone considering weight-loss surgery.

Well I first met Dr. Patterson at the orientation. She answered all my questions and others. It was very informative. My actually visit to meet Dr.Patterson was my last visit before surgery. I met with one of the fellows in her office and he asked me about my history etc. I talked with her for about 3 minutes. I saw her right before I went into surgery for her to check over my chart and ask me if I have any last minute questions. I went into surgery and woke up a couple hours later. The fellow came to see me 3 times for the 3 days I was in the hospital. Dr. Hong came and saw me 1 time. Dr. Patterson came and saw me the day I was going home. She answered my questions and I was off. About 1 week after surgery I called her office and left a message about one of my incisions was red and that my left side was and still is in pain. I called at 9:45am and the fellow dr. didn't return my call until 6:30pm. I felt disappointed because I thought they would call back soon and that it might be dr.Patterson. The fellow was informative and a very nice man. I called to make my 3-4 week appointment. I was told she was booked out until Dec.28th. that would be like 7 weeks after surgery. So I made an appointment with another dr. in the office. I feel I had a great surgeon. I just wish she would of been more pro-active in my recovery. I would rate her a 10 for being a surgeon but the rest I will really need to think about. Today Nov.29 I went and had my first post-op consult. I saw Dr. Hong. He had me go do a cat scan of my lungs. I have been SOB. The weirdest part of the visit is that he didn't even look at my incisions or tell me what restrictions I have like how much I can lift etc..... Well i did the scan and came back to the office for the results. I waited and told him I needed to go next door for my appt with the dietician. He told me that the dietician can \"wait.\" Well I waited 40 minutes and went next door. They were going to lunch and a meeting and wouldn't be back until 1pm. Which was 1 1/2 hours later. Well I went back to dr. hongs office. He said the results were normal. I told him \"Thanks to you I now have to wait 1 1/2 hours to see the dietician and why don't you pay me for my time!\" He just said sorry. I left and came back and talked with the dietician. I feel so neglected and disrespected by Dr. Hongs actions. I also asked the receptionist to have dr. patterson call me because I haven't been feeling well to extend my time off from work ( I am supposed to go back tomorrow). I need like 2 weeks to regain strenght and start trying to eat. Today 11/30 dr.patterson didn't ever call me back. So now I have to call HR tomorrow to see if I am going to work and if they got the paperwork completely filled out this time. I am feeling like they are blowing me off and the drs. after care is a definate F. Today 12-1 dr. pattersons office called and said she will be coming to eugene on the 8th and is seeing patients in eugene at a clinic here. The receptionist said dr. patterson wants to see me on 12-8. So I hope this will be a promising appointment. I will update after the drs. visit. Think positive. WEnt to drs. visit with dr.p. She talked with me and I told her how I have been feeling. She suggested MOM and trying to eat more. That my bod was hungry. I also was down 11 more lbs. She seemed like she was more proactive in my after care for this visit. Hopefully it will stay that way.

My first impression of Emma Patterson was a pleasant one. She seemed very nice. AND she seemed genuinely concerned for my health. I was (am) a high risk patient and she helped me feel confident that she wasn't going to veto me for it, and would work with me to be able to have this surgery. I wouldn't have even pursued this otherwise. rnThe staff at her office is very efficent but seemed a little lax in a few things. They were a little slow on call backs for instance. I am long distance from her office, and the staff is very helpful into trying to schedule multiple appts. for the same day.rnThis group of surgeons went over all possible risks for this surgery and I left fully informed about complications that can possibly happen.

My original first impression was upsetting, I waited in the waiting room for three hours to see her. I knew before seeing her that she didn't have the best bedside manner, and when we first met I found her to be not very patient. I only saw her once, until the day of surgery. The office staff is very nice and friendly. She didn't emphasize aftercare at all. She left for vacation after my surgery, I've had questions and talked with the staff and wanted a physician to call me back, they have still not done that. Both surgical competence and beside manner should be great. My main concern is surgical competence - this is such a major life changing surgery, you don't want anything to go wrong. She came highly recommended. At this point I'm disappointed with the aftercare help and no response from the office.

Love my surgeon!

When I first met Dr. Patterson at the initial orientation I was impressed with her knowledge and attitude about weight loss surgery. I felt like I had finally found a doctor who was no judgemental or found obese people unworthy. She was warm and friendly and said all the right things to make me feel like I was making an informed decision about surgery. When it was time to make an appointment for surgery I asked for her specifically but was told she was booked way out and that another MD in her office had an opening that would better suit my schedule. I was disappointed but happy to finally see a surgeon to set the date. A few days after setting my appointment I got a call from Dr. Patterson's office telling me she had a cancellation and telling me I could see her for my surgery. I was very thankful that her office staff remembered how disappointed I was in not having her as my surgeon. My meeting with her was great, although I had to wait a long time in the reception area. Her information about the surgery and aftercare was very complete, and she was very careful to discuss all the risks involved. I am going into this fully prepared and knowledgeable. I feel she is extremely compentent and very personable. I am looking forward to a rewarding experience with Dr. Patterson.

I first met Dr. Patterson at her informational seminar. My PCP spoke so highly of her that I was already impressed. She is a compassionate and highly skilled surgeon. I was fully informed of everything that was going to happen to me and felt that she really cared about my welfare. She was amazing to my husband after the surgery in explaining my condition and I would recommend her to anyone without hesitation!

Wow! What a surgeon! I cannot recommend her enough. Sweet, caring, busy yet efficient. I like that. I knew that going in I had one of the best in the country and that made all the difference. All of her staff I found to be equally competent and caring.

I think surgical competence is better than bedside manner....even though she has both.

She went over the risks of surgery very thoroughly with me....but because of the research I did beforehand, she was only repeating what I already knew.

There is a support group at Legacy that is chaired by some of her staff that I found immensely helpful. All the "little" stuff that you may be experiencing that you can talk to with other members of the "Lap Club", which I find very educating and sometimes calming.

I have come through with flying colors and would recommend Dr. Patterson to anyone that was considering this surgery.

I feel Dr. Emma Patterson is very knowledgeable. She seems to be kind and caring. Her office staff are kind and helpful. I have been very impressed by the fact that Dr. Patterson wants her patients to be as fit and healthy as possible before surgery. She has a very well rounded plan to ensure this will happen, including: exercise and strength training, diet, mental evaluation (and strongly suggests counseling to help you cope with the changes you go through), lab workup and careful examination.

She also makes sure you realize that there are risks to this or any surgery.

And yes, she emphasized aftercare and the need to keep coming back to the Obesity Institute at regular intervals.

I think that it is important to have both surgical competence as well as a good bedside manner. Because if you don't feel comfortable with your surgeon, things won't go as well. You are partners involved with your health and wellfare, so you had better be at ease with each other!
I haven't had my surgery yet so I can't say for sure how Dr. Patterson will be until after, but so far I have been impressed.