Question:
i need help for Rochester,Ny area

I am 6'2" and 380lbs+ I have not seen a doctor regulary in 12 yrs since i never had insurance now my with my job i have blue cross select and i need to find a pcp that will help me get myself on track to start looking into having wls it is was i believe the only way i can get my health on track to live a long long time. I have a bead knee on one leg and a very bad achilles tendon on the other so i am kinda a sitting duck exercise is just to much for my legs to deal with and i need help.If someone can help me get my self going i would be so greatful..    — William B. (posted on May 25, 2003)

May 25, 2003
Dear William: I know what you mean about exercise being too much... I have arthritis in my feet, ankles, knees and low back, and simply am not able to exercise. I'm sorry I don't live in New York, but for me the first step in this journey was to contact my insurance to see what the requirements for surgery are, if it was even covered. Then, since with my insurance I don't need a referral, I made an appointment with the St. Vincent Bariatric Center in Carmel, Indiana. They sent me a large packet with tons of stuff to fill out, and I gave it to them when I went for my first consultation. After my consultation with my surgeon, she had a letter dictated for me stating what surgery she would be doing and the codes that would be used and why it was felt that this surgery was necessary for me. I also got a letter from my family doctor as well. The surgeon's office sent the letter directly to me so that I was the one to be responsible for sending it to insurance. I found out on May 15th that I'm approved for surgery (YEAH!) and am now just waiting on a date from the surgeon's office and for them to tell me what else I need to do. I hope this information helps you somewhat. If you have any other questions I can answer, please feel free to e-mail me. Good Luck and God Bless!
   — Moysa B.

May 25, 2003
I think your very first step should be to get to a doctor ASAP to begin a "supervised" diet...most insurance companies require a certain length of supervised dieting to approve wls....as for which primary doc to see- there is a yahoo group called WLSnetworkofWNY....all WLS patients from Rochester area... I'm sure the members would give you some idea of who is a really supportive Primary Doc. (not to mention it's a really nice support group)... as for surgeons, I"ve heard good things about O'Malley, Sax, and Iannoli... (I"m seeing O'Malley- I've heard he does very well with higher risk, and higher weight patients)...Best of luck, and hope you can get started right away... as for exercise...have you tried water areobics?? I did that when I had problems with hip pain....good workout, with no stress on the joints... it's not as good as walking or working out, but it's a very good way for an out-of-shape person to work their way into exercising....and most classes consist of either older people, or heavier people, because it's great exercise for arthritis.. so everyone is wrinkly or fat!.. you don't need to feel self-conscious about how you look in a suit. Good luck!
   — Kelly B.

May 25, 2003
I live around 45 miles from Rochester however I too had Dr. William O'Malley for my RNY. I've had alot of surgeries in my life (14 so far) and have had complications from many of them. I was sure I was going to have some from the RNY. lol I got lucky. Dr. O'Malley did a great job! :) As far as a PCP, mine is in Rushville (and I get whoever is on duty at the clinic). Perhaps someone on this board who is alittle more local to you can give you some ideas. Best of luck.
   — Danmark

May 26, 2003
I have a friend who lives in Rochester who had his surgery about 6 months ago - however, he does not belong to Obesityhelp. I cut, pasted, and forwarded your post to him and asked that he email you with his PCP and surgeons name. If you hear from someone named Mike in Rochester - you'll know where it came from. Good luck!!
   — MissKimberly

May 26, 2003
Many people from Ontario Canada who can't wait the 2-3 years it takes here to get wls go to Dr. O'Mally and pay for it themselves. His costs are reasonable too, lower than Michigan wls surgeons. His Ontario patients on our Toronto ossg board are doing very well. Good luck to you.
   — mary ann T.

May 26, 2003
Hi. There is a support group in Rochester. I belong to it. We are on Yahoo as well. Email me at [email protected] I woll give you the info.
   — nicole79

June 3, 2003
I had surgery with Dr. William O'Malley at Highland Hospital on 9/26/00. I've since moved to Florida, but when I lived in Rochester, my insurance was Blue Choice Select and they approved me in under 24 hours and paid for the surgery in full. If you haven't already found them, there's a support group in Rochester that meets at Park Ridge Hospital on the first Wednesday and 3rd Tuesday of each month. The people in the group are wonderful and I get together with many of them every time i'm back in Rochester. Email me if you're interested and I'll give you the contact info for the group (don't know if I can post it here or not).
   — Terry M.