New to Florida - I need new support group and Doctor

Hi everyone - My husband and I have just relocated from Texas to the Orlando area. I need to find a new support group to attend, as well as a new doctor to treat me should I encounter any problems. I had Lap RNY on 10/4/04 and at my last Dr appt., on 12/2/04, I had lost 40 lbs. I will be living in Clermont when we close on our house next month, but am willing to travel to find either. I tried to contact a Dr. listed on this website in Ocala FL, but was told he only treats his own patients and they referred me to Shands Hospital in Gainesville, FL. Surely there has to be someone/someplace closer than that?!? Any help someone can provide would be greatly appreciated as I would feel much better knowing I have somewhere to turn to if I should encounter a problem post-op. Thanks and have a blessed day to all!

TRY DR MICHEL MURR IN TAMPA OR DR MAREMA IN ORLANDO HE BELONG TO US BIATRIC IN CELEBRATION , FL

Dr. Kim is head of the US Bariatric division in Celebration now.

Welcome to Florida and enjoy your new home in Clermont! I am out there quite often with my friend, Helen. We "live" at the SuperTarget there when I am visiting her. Unfortunately, there aren't any WLS doctors in Orlando, so you will have to travel. There has been a "ban" on WLS in the Orlando area for a long time so anyone here has to travel to see a surgeon. There are two surgeons in Ocala which is about an hour away from you (Dr. Overcash and Dr. Jawad). There is also a doctor (Dr. Kim) in Celebration with US Bariatrics. Good luck Amy

There is a bariatric surgeon in Orlando. He just doesn't operate in Orlando. His name is Lou C. Harold MD and his number is 407-839-3700. He does his surgery in St. Petersburg. I thought about using him but he doesn't accept my insurance. But the main reason I wanted to use him was the fact that I could get all of my follow-up care here in Orlando.

Hi Wanda, Welcome to the Orlando area. My husband Omar and I live about 30 minutes from Clermont off Hwy 50. We both had WLS with Dr. Rosenthal in Ft. Lauderdale and that is probably to far for you to travel. (but he is good) Check with Celebration Hospital and also Dr. Jawad in Ocala. Omar and I have a support group that meets once a month at different places around the Orlando area. We will be getting together again sometime around the middle of January. If you are interested please let me know and I will put you on my mailing list. Good luck in your search for a doctor and continued success in your weight loss journey. Sincerely, Dawn Barrera

Dr. Kim heads up the Celebration Health Florida Hospital unit for US Bariatrics. The town of Celebration is just off of I-4 and US192 between Disney World and Kissimmee. We have a terrific support group that meets the first Wednesday of each month at 7PM. All are welcome to come. We have people that come from all over the state to come to the meetings. Dr. Kim was my surgeon and he and his staff are very good with follow-up care. You might want to check them out. 407-303-4504

Oops...sorry, we meet the SECOND Wednesday of each month

Bobby S is right! Dr. Kim and U.S. Bariatrics at Celebration Health are the finest! They are wonderful! It sure won't hurt to call them. I drove over 2.5 hours away to have surgery there earlier this month. I wouldn't change a thing. I've been to one of their support groups and they are well-worth my drive.