Hi,

I am from Salem, OR but I am getting my sleeve surgery done in Mcminnville in June/July. I was wondering if there was anyone out there who is near this area or have gotten it done by Dr. Higa? I am excited and would love to share experiences with someone else!

I'm in Keizer.

Hi! Have you had your surgery yet? Who will you be getting it by?

Hi! I'm in Silverton, I'd love to find/start a support group. I'm having surgery June 23rd with Dr Tersigni in Coos Bay

Hey! We should get together Jose. I have my surgery Thursday though. I hope yours goes well! Btw, you can come to our support group in McMinnville. It's the third Monday of each month at 6pm. I hope to see you there!

Oh that's awesome!! we are only 4 days apart! I would love to come to your support group, where is it located in McMinnville? And is it a closed group for your Doctors patients only? Thanks, and good luck with your surgery (:

Awesome! Good luck! It's open to anyone We are a large group but very supportive. It's at the McMinnville Hospital

I will definitely check your group out! My surgeon has a support group but it's just too far away to attend. Hopefully I will see you at the next meeting! (:

Yeah! Why did you pick Coos Bay?

I went to a nurse practitioner here in Salem for a couple of lap band fills when I was still banded, and she knew of Dr Tersigni in Coos Bay, since I was asking about revisions, and she recommended him, however my insurance approved me to go to the OHSU bariatric surgery program for my emergency lap band removal, and after I completed their program to have the gastric sleeve done, my insurance wouldn't cover surgery there, and we appealed but nothing happened. So I was planning on going to Mexico again because I was desperate, but then I remembered Coos Bay, and when we called they were so helpful! Dr Tersigni has been performing weight loss surgery for over 15 years, and his program and facility have the Center of Excellence label. And his coordinators have been completely helpful through the process. And at the time we did not know of Dr Higa, or we would have checked him out too!

Sorry that is such a long explanation!!

Oh wow! Thats too bad you missed Dr Higa, but I'm glad you found a good doctor! That's interesting you had a lap band. Why did you change?

Yes, the drives would have been way easier haha. I don't feel that the lap band worked well for me at all.. I never got to the "sweet spot", it was always too loose or tight. Also, It was pressing on a nerve on my diaphragm, making it painful to take deep breaths and to sleep on my left side, which was the main reason it was removed. It's a rare complication but it happened haha. Upon removal they also found that the band had a leak as well

@Java91: Hi, it's my first time posting on here but I live in Lafayette and will be having my surgery done by Dr. Higa, (given my insurance approves everything). I have yet to go to a support meeting, but will be going to the next one at McMinnville hospital. New to this, (only a few months in), and don't have any buddies/surgery support yet. Would like to make some surgery buddies:)

Hi Pedsgirl! You will really like Dr Higa. My surgery is tomorrow, OMG!! But I am excited. We would love to have you at the support group. If you'd like to meet another time, let me know!

@Jose: I am sorry that didn't work, but I'm glad your able to get the revision! Are you excited?

Btw, I will be writing a Facebook blog about my WLS experiences, so you are welcome to check it out when it's up in a couple of weeks I hope it will help inspire people. You can find it on Willamette Medical Center (McMinnville Hospital) Facebook page.