I'm ready for the next step...

Hello everyone! My  name is Rachel I had my surgery Nov 2007 in Cleveland Clinic weston FL with Dr. Raul Rosenthal..

I moved to Staten Island NY about a month ago and now have to find drs for follow ups as well as a plastic surgeon. I have called a few drs. Staten Island University won't take on my case claiming they have too many patients and another dr does not take cases who have has surgery elsewhere... I feel like I'm going through the same thing I went through when I was trying to have the surgery. Right now I need a bariatric dr for follow ups as well as a plastic surgeon to remove all this excess skin and I am tired of nurse after nurse telling me this is elective.. Not after losing 420 lbs it is NOT elective....

I am in constant pain and would like to get this done asap.. Any and all help or advice would be greatly appreciated!!

I drive from upstate NY to the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland.  I had my surgery there and doing all my follow-ups and other medical stuff there - they schedule everything the same day (pack you right in) when you're from out of town.  I would suggest the drive there.  You are already a part of them, they have all your records, and the staff there is tremendous....

Yeah that's not an option LOL... But thanks for the idea

You've lost 420 lbs?!?!?!?!  That's fantastic.  I remember when you were still fighting for insurance approval.  I'm so happy for you - that you finally had WLS and have lost sooooooo much. 

Good luck with finding a new doctor.  I'm not familiar with the area, but wanted to congratulate you on your success.

Yes finally!! Thank you

BUMPING FOR SOME RESPONSES

I would suggest calling your surgeon, and have him recommend someone for you where you live now. If you tell him you're having trouble getting follow up care where you are, his office might even be able to call in appointments for you so the new staff doesn't give you a hard time.  I'm sure most doctors would do this for you.  I haven't had surgery yet, but even with my first appointment with my surgeon, he stressed how necessary follow up care is for the rest of my life, and that if I ever move to a different area, that it's very important to find follow up care and his office would send whatever paperwork necessary to my new doctor.  Most doctors will do favors for other doctors.  GOod luck.

Hi, I'm from Staten Island. I havent gotten my surgery yet, but the bariatric Dr I'm using is Dr. Ferzli, he is on Cromwell Avenue in Dongan Hills. He is one of the best.  Everywhere I go, he is highly recommended and say I could not have picked a better surgeon. Hopefully he is not one of the Dr's you called and said he had too many patients. His number is 718-667-8100.

For plastic surgeon I would say check into Dr. Vitolo. 1510 Richmond Road (718)667-2007.I dont have any personal experience with him ,  but he is very well known in SI and supposed to be excellent. 

Good luck, i hope that helps you!