Miami

Hi, I just joined OH a few days ago. I had started on the wls pre op protocol in 2002 with Dr. Byers at Univ. of Miami but a brain CT scan (I was having neuro symptoms) showed brain abnormalities so stopped the protocol and worked on brain diagnosis, etc. I am now ready to return. I hear that Dr. Byers no longer does the surgery. Medicare is my primary insurance and Medicaid is my secondary. I know Univ. of Miami will take that but has any of you had experience with any other Miami bariatric Dr's that will take my insurance. I would like to find one affiliated with Baptist Health Systems. Thank you, Margie

Hi Margie, I am a patient of Dr. Byers, but not for WLS, she did my follow-up after I moved here from Ohio. You call it Protocal....I called it Byers Bootcamp, she had me do all the same test as if I were pre-op with her so she could have the same "file" on me. Both my Ohio Surgeon and my local PCP recommened her...so I just did what I had to do as I was told she is the best. She did my hernia repair in Dec, and I had a PS do a panniculectomy at the same time. I need more hernia surgery and she will be doing it again. While you are correct she is no longer doing WLS, they are suppose to have another surgeon coming in. I would think they are here by now, as it was Jan. that thing starting wrapping up for here WLS patients. As for Baptist, I am not familiar with them...but know they have a WLS program....

Hi Sarah, Well, a few weeks ago I started thinking about lap band surgery and I called U of Miami and was told I need to see their PCP first, a woman named Dr. Woolger, to discuss options. I did research since then and I do not want lap band. So I have to call up there tomorrow to see if I still see her for gastric bypass. Then I will take it from there. I remember how stringent Dr. Byers was with the hoops you jump through before you are accepted for surgery. I have lots of medical problems so I don't mind. However one of her rules was you stay in the Miami area for 2 weeks following the surgery but I can't afford that. I'm actually hoping they can do mine laprosopically. I also have to go up for support group like 3 times. Pain in the butt, living in Key West and taking Medicaid taxi but you do what you have to do. Margie

 

 

Margie, I too have some other health issues...as Dr. Byers put it "you're a complicated case". So like you I didn't mind having a thorough procedure and like you some other things were found...like ummm a hole in my heart...that I had closed, etc. before I had the hernia repair. Dr. W was the PCP she referred me to for any other post-op problems for my WLS...but I asked my reg PCP is that really neccessary since my PCP keeps on top of all my stuff and she said not really let's try to keep the number of docs you see a minimum...lol. So I would think seeing Dr. W would still be your starting point for any WLS. Dr. Byers actually changed over to doing all lap if possible. They should help you find somewhere to stay...will Medicaid or some social service department help with the stay???

Hi Sarah, Well, because Dr Byers was so thorough testing me when I said I had a headache for 6 weeks and my eyes would twitch intermidentally, they found I have MS and a benign brain tumor that is pushing on my celleberum. I have also, since then, been diagnosed with Diabetes 2, impossibly high cholesterol and tryglicerides, peripheral arterial disease with claudication, extremely severe arthritis in my knees, Epstein Bar Virus, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and the list goes on and on. Other than Dr Byers, all my other medical was being taken care of at the Cleveland Clinic in Weston but that is even a longer ride. Tuesday I go see a Cardiovascular Dr. in Miami as I have been retaining fluid, coughing, shortness of breath so bad it starts when I roll over in bed!! I will check into the social service dept. I remember when I was there a few years ago, they said they had a list of apts. that rent short term. It is just a scarey thought not knowing Miami at all. Margie

If i didn't have a roommate I would let you stay with me...but not much room. But I will definately help you in any other way, including visiting and showing you around, etc. Are you seeing a cardio at UM?

Well, I was just thinking about the Cardio and I think I am going to cancel the appt. I have on Tuesday and go with one at UM because I know part of the testing is the stress test and echocardiogram anyways. I am going to try to have them set up as many as the pre op tests as possible that have to be done up there in a 2 or 3 day period. I know one will be a sleep study so won't need a place to sleep that night. I know there is a hotel right there at UM but need to find out how expensive it is. Also, I am sure they will want to do a Colonoscopy and Endoscopy and there is no way I can ride for 4 hours after the pre op cleaning out. Then they would have to set them up for around the fifth of Oct., right after I get my social security check. You are very sweet and do look forward to meeting you. Margie

Dr. Lowery is the cardio I see, she is great, specializes in Women with heart disease. Do you see the neuro there also? Let me know when you are coming up!

Hi Sarah, I don't know what cardio I will see there. I never got that far with the pre op protocol but I would like to and ask to see Dr. Lowery. I have seen two neuros there, not as part of the pre op though. I will be getting my medical records together and then I can tell you their names. One was an MS specialist in the Parkinson's building and the other was to be evaluated for sural nerve biopsy, which I didn't have. When I had my heart attack I was in ICU down here until they ran all the tests they can do here and then I was transferred to Miami Heart Institute for the catheterization. Did they make you do a Pulminary Function test again at UM Sylvester? Was the guy this, I think, German guy that kept jumping up and down yelling blow? You are so lucky that the hole in your heart was discovered and fixed. Do you work? I go see Dr. W. on 9/21 at 10AM. Means leaving here about 6:30AM. I will be coming up by Medicaid Taxi. I know they will probably want a Colonoscopy and if I can't have it down here, then I will come up the day before and check into a hotel because I know what the bowel cleaning out is like....been there, done that.....and can't see me riding 4 hours up there in that condition!! I would love to meet you. Also, would you consider being my patient advocate while I'm in the hospital? Margie

Me patient advocate...they probably wouldn't let me because they are all scared of me...lol...because I know the ropes and can jump them double dutch!!! OMG...YES I had a pulmonary function test...and I had 2 guys because the one was having problems getting the blood for the ABG, they were both Eastern European...they reminded me of the Swedish Chef from Muppets...the thinner one was teasing the other one for looking at Calendar girls online...lol...like Sports Illustrated...because here's it not a big deal but I guess it's really risque from where he comes from.  It was a very entertaining appt. to say the least!