Has anyone had any experience with any MDs in Rochester NY? I am scheduled for their information session with Dr. O'Malley and Dr. Moss. Any experience or suggestions?

I am really hoping that insurance covers the lapband. I cannot afford it out of pocket. I am at the 40 BMI but I don't have any other issues, yet. I do have back, hip and joint pain but nothing that is arthritis. My BP and cholesterol levels are fine. I have no diabetes issues either.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

gilta

Hi Nonnatom-

I haven't had the surgery yet, I'm pretty close though (hopefully by first week in April).... I started this whole process in July 2007. I wasn't aware that bariatric surgeries were being performed at RGH, although I've only lived in Rochester a year so I'm still learning a lot. Highland Hospital came highly recommended, especially Dr. O'Malley who is the director of the Bariatric Surgery Center at Highland.

Whatever path your daughter chooses, it is great that you are seeking out all of the information that you can for her. Best of luck to you both!

Did you have a sleep study...possible sleep apnea?

I do not know about Rochester. Had my lapband done by alan Posner of bufalo general.

Hi All!! I'm in Rochester and I'm seeing Dr DiBenedetto at RGH for my lapband. I'm almost approved. All paperwork is in and I've met all the requirements. Just waiting for the date!! I go in next week for an upper GI. yippee...not!

Just an FYI... I would NEVER use Highland. PM me for details. Please use caution!!

Dr. DiBenedetto..That's who I'll be seeing when it's my turn! Please post and let me know what you think of him.

When did you go to a seminar? How was it?

by the way, nonnatom is my mom :mad:

Well I finally got the call today from Highland & I see Dr. O'Malley for my one-on-one next week, I am very excited! I found out once I meet with him one-on-one I will have my surgery date assigned, so looks like the end of March for me!

:mad:

This has been a seemingly long-process, but so worth all the time & effort.

Best wishes to everyone!

Hi,

I've gone to Bassett Healthcare in Cooperstown, NY. They have quite a large program. Two surgeons and a whole team. I've been pleased.:mad:

I've heard it's a great place Molly!

I'm originally from a town about 45 minutes from Cooperstown, but now am out in Rochester area. I've had many family members go to Bassett Healthcare for different reasons & my uncle had the lap band done @ Bassett & he is doing fantastic 2 years later!

Did you have the surgery yet?

Best wishes to you!

Dr D is good!! He's a bit goofy and I feel rushed when I'm in with him. His wife is really nice. I don't remember when I went to his dog-and-pony show

hnlaude, when did you start the process and what have you had to do? I'm just begining and I'm interested to hear from someone in the area who'll be going to the same hospital/surgeon...

Hi Everyone....I'm in Utica, fairly close by. Just wanted to send all my fellow Upstaters a hello and wish everyone well with their journey!

Barbie, I started well over a year ago when Dr Glavin was here. I had almost all my requirements when he left and I had to wait for Dr D to start so I could continue on.

what takes so long? That's crazy!

Hi,

Sometimes it seems like the lap band surgery takes forever to schedule. But good centers do evaluations. Just the fact that a person has obesity puts them at high risk for several medical problems. In my case, I had several medical problems when I entered the program. A few years ago, I had a brain tumor and then developed a seizure disorder because of the tumor and the surgery to remove it. At the WLS center, the providers thought I might have a type of sleep apnea - partly because of my weight and partly because of my history. I had to have some testing for evaluation. The result was abnormal, so I had to stop some of my medications (they may have been a cause of the abnormal results). Seizures meds can't be stopped quickly; I had to wean off for several weeks. The repeat test results were worse; my oxygen level dropped to 60 % while I was sleeping (that is very bad). Then I had to have a consult with a sleep specialist and 2 separate sleep studies. I now have a bi-pap machine used to sleep apnea. The result - I feel wonderful!

After that problem was resolved; I was scheduled for my lap band. It was successfully done 2 weeks ago. Now I just can't wait to see how I feel in the near future - now I breathe in my sleep and am losing weight!

Thank God the providers found the sleep apnea even if the surgery was delayed. That would have killed me skinny or not!

Anyway that's my story. And hello to Whitesboro. Did you have the surgery yet?

Molly A.

Has anyone gone thru the process quicker than one year? I've heard a lot of different stories...

barbie,

I started in July 2007 and was in surgery Feb. 5, 2008. Many people in the program I'm in have the surgery within a few months - it depends upon their initial medical status. They have a fast track program for people with few medical problems. That may take only 6 weeks.

Hope this helps,

Molly A.