OT-Anyone from Pinellas County?

I will be flying to Florida to see my Dad tomorrow afternoon. He's eighty years old, in fairly decent health but I'm his only child and I worry about him. I'm planning on moving back to the St. Petersburg area (I live there about 20 years ago) within the next few months. I'd like to find a few friends who know the good docs, support groups, etc. I have medicare/medicaid and would probably need a Center of Excellence. Also--this is WAY OT-- anyone know landlords who would take a Section 8 voucher? I am SO tired of the cold... Karen

Karen we'll be here waiting to Welcome you back home in the South but it's been kinda cool these last few days. But it's warmer in the Sunshine still. There is a few Support Groups who meet monthly within Pinellas County and I'll be starting one shortly as an ObesityHelp Support Group at the Clearwater YMCA on Highland Ave. to be known as the OH/YMCA Support Group, open to everyone. Not just YMCA or WLS patients. It'll deal mainly with Nutrition & Physical Activities but will cover everything about WLS Pre & Post Op too. With Monthly OH Handouts. Plus hopefully Monthly Product Samples. This years OH Conference will be in Orlando scheduled right now for Saturday, May 5th. Where has yet to be announced. Morton Plant Hospotal has a good Support Group which starts out as a whole but the seperates into two groups (Lap-Band & RNY) after an hor to discuss seperate issues. Their next Support Meeting is Saturday March 10th at 10 AM in the Tuttle Auditorium near the Hospital's Cafeteria. Then on April 14th, their having a Picnic Gathering at Taylor Park in Largo. Plus MPH/Bariatric Center is planning a Cruise to the Carribbean, departing Sunday September 30th till Saturday October 6th, pulling out of Port Canaveral in Cocoa Beach, FL. Then there's my Surgeon's Support Group which meets in the Palms of Pasadena Hospital Professional Medical Building behind the hospital. Their next RNY meeting is on Saturday March 24th, at 230 PM. They also have a Clothing Exchange there. Their next Lap Band meeting is Wednesday February 28th, at 630 PM in the same location. My surgeon, Dr.Ernest Rehnke holds the Center of Excellence award as well as the Palms of Pasadena Hospital. As well Dr.Murr at Tampa General Hospital. There are other hospitals in the Tampa Bay area who have applied for the award but I'm not on top of who if any have been granted such. My girlfriend is on Medicare/Medicaid and uses a Dr.Moss on Park Street in St.Pete as I'm using Dr.Nicolas Pavouris in Tarpon Springs. Just starting his own practice and takes many insurances. Now as to Section 8 Living - There is a waiting list in most cities in Florida. I have a call into my sister to clarify Section 8 entitlements who works for the Pinellas County Social Services and will get back to you about this topic. But in the mean time if you can't live with your dad, here is the Tampa Bay link to craig's list - http://tampa.craigslist.org/ Good Luck in reaching your goals and continuing your journey, Mike

Hi Mike, Thanks for replying so quickly, and I appreciate the call to your sister. I spke with my local Housing Authority last week and learned Pinellas was accepting transfered vouchers, but they weren't certain how long. If my voucher isn't transfered I can still move, but I have to comply with Maine's rates...and Maine has to pay for my apartment which annoys them greatly. It sounds like there is plenty of support for bariatric patients. My Dad lives in a subsidized effeincy (sp) and while I can visit, I couldn't live there. Also I have a service dog and it would just be too crowded for the three of us. ;) The next week is definitely going to be a working vacation. I have a slew of people to contact. I've been aching to come back for years. This surgery has given me the confidence to realize I can live my dreams. Hope to talk with you soon. Karen

hello there we are close....hillsborough county....had my surgery at tampa general with dr gallaghger and LOVE LOVE LOVE the whole staff there (surgical team) anyhoo we do have a support group (that i go to) at tampa general....if you have any more questions feel free to emal me [email protected] take care, and my thoughts are with you and your father jen