Upstate NY finding a surgeon

Hi Everyone. NEwb here. I am so inspired by all your posts. I hav been battling with my weight my entire adult life. For me, the notion to have surgery is my last resort.  I looked into WLS some time ago, approx. 3 years ago and in the rural area I live, it just wasn't possible. THe surgeon I saw was mean and he told me if I wanted the LB that I'd have to go out of state or to NYC. I gave up --and got larger.  Now here I am, with the determination to do this and begin a new healthy life.  I met with Dr. Singh and I didn't like him. First of all, I drove 2 hours to see him and he was running over 2 hours behind. Finally speaking with him and he made me feel as though the surgery was a decision he would make and NOT me and that it was only a last resort (like death or WLS) and made me feel as though with "proper diet and excersize" that I could lose the weight. THis made me cry....I've heard that over and over for years. So sick of it.

So here I am, feeling so discouraged after having waited for  three years for this surgery to become available within distance to my home, and waiting another 2 months to meet the surgeon recommended by my PCP...and I feel terrible.  I didn't just decide to put on 200 pounds  over 15 years with the idea that I'd put myself through hell and oh just go have surgery and lose the weight.  I am ready, emotionally and physically. Can anyone recomend a surgeon or hospital that will help me without A)making me feel like a low life who can't just lose weight with "proper diet and excersize" and B) won't make me climb MT. Everest or Jump through Olympic HOOPS to get the medical attention and surgery date I need?  I have great insurance and just want to get this started, NOW. Help???

Hi itsme13....Welcome.  I'm so sorry you had to have an experience like that.  There are many good surgeons in NY.  Maybe start with your insurance and see who they cover.  There's also a search tool on this site for surgeons.  Right below the blue on the top, there is a tool bar that reads  find a: bariatric surgeon/plastic surgeon/other professional/hospital This will at least get you started. Good luck and keep us informed of your progress.

Hi...I am sorry that you have had a bad time...where in NY are you??? Rosemary

I am not sure where in Upstae NY you live... some people consider the area I am in to be Upstate (I live in the Albany/East Greenbush area) but definitely check out the link Rachelle gave you.  I know what you mean about Dr Singh - it's a personal thing & I was not comfortable with Albany Med's staff & drs so I decided to go with Ellis Hospital & Dr Terence Clarke. The staff is amazing & I always feel very comfortable there. Ultimately the whole decision is yours & my theory was if I wasn't feeling comfortable I wasn't going there!!!! I have a co-worker who highly recommends Dr Clarke. I also liked the "new" female dr they have - I met her at the seminar - Dr Ingram but ultimatley chose Dr Clarke. If you traveled 2 hrs to AMC then you might be willing to check out Ellis (it's in Schenectady & is easy to find.). Call them, their # is 518-243-1313. Good luck!!!  Cece

Where abouts are you and just how far are you willing to go for care?  Without knowing that I wouldn't want to point you in one direction or another.  My area is also called upstate, but it's more like Binghamton, Syracuse, Ithaca, Elmira area...also known as the Southern Tier.  There is a Bariatric Center of Excellence in Elmira/Horseheads that would offer you all the things you seek...but if you're four hours away.......

I am in Upstate NY.  I am in Malone about 15 minutes from the canadian border.  I am going to Dr. Hixson's office in Saranac Lake.  They are wonderful there.  We talked about different surgery types and they now offer the band too.  He told me surgery type was up to me.  I am going for the RNY.  I am not sure exactly where you are or how far you want to travel.  Good luck and keep us posted. Christine

I used the Ellis hospital bariatric center & had Dr Terrance Clarke He was great and not bad on the eyes either!! Rae

so sorry to hear your experience, I also live in what they call upstate but only about 60 miles north of NYC.  My first place I went after deciding in my mind I wanted to do surgery was yes Insurance to see who they cover, then also try the American Bariatric Surgery Website and see which surgeons are certified with them.   When I found the right place I went to informational meetings and actually spoke with former patients and the Drs themselves at the meeting. My decision to go forth was actually started in May 07 with all pre op appts complete except for the nutrition which was complete in July, but Medicare my primary insurance was the hold up, they require that you go to a Center of Excellence, so if you have Medicare becareful you find that type of Dr and Hospital, finally all approve and just a few more days 8/16/07, so the process can be nerve racking and sometimes you can jump through hoops but the waiting is really worth it in the end. SO JUST HANG IN THERE  you will find the right Dr. Judy

Thank you so much everyone for your kindness and support.  I live north of the lake george region, and I have called Ellis to attend the seminar. Holy smokes the soonest they can get me into a seminar is in October! Jeeeeez.  How long do I have to wait after the seminar to get a consult with a surgeon? Should I make the appointment now? Can I?I really don't want to go to the seminar, have it confirm that this is the right thing for me, and then have to wait another TWO months to get in to talk with someone!

my choice was to use Westchester Medical Center, the Drs have a seminar every other Thursday, all I had to do was call to register, went to meeting and at that time I was given appt with surgeon for the following week. .  My experience was very quick, my only problem was the waiting for Medicare to approve for Center of Excellence but that too really wasn't that long.  Just hang in there,   judy