Your Neighborhood Primary Care Physician’s Office, Serving the Community Since 1967
You are invited to a cup of delicious coffee as we answer your questions about the 2019 Medicare Open Enrollment Benefits. 3 available dates, one fabulous location, Kay Rico Coffee in Hollywood Blvd.
* Seating is limited RSVP now to reserve your spot and invite two friends.
* Parking available at rear of the building.
Join us as we enjoy the best coffee in town, it’s on us!
Kay Rico Coffee, 2728 Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood, FL 33020
David Montesino, our on-site Medicare expert, will be available at our Hallandale Beach office on Nov. 7th from 10AM to 1PM to answer all your questions regarding the Annual Enrollment Period. You can also contact David Montesino at (954) 709-8275 to schedule an appointment to discuss your Medicare needs, or you can drop in at any time during his on-site office hours listed below:
Hallandale Beach Office:
Wed. November 7th from 10 am to 1 pm
1117 E Hallandale Beach Blvd.
Hallandale Beach, FL 33009
(954)454-6300
Come visit us, we look forward to serving you!
The Open Enrollment Period is happening now. Our on-site Medicare expert, David Montesino, can answer all your questions regarding benefits and offers. You contact David at (954) 709-8275 to schedule an appointment to discuss your Medicare needs.
Don’t delay! Only a few days left to obtain coverage for 2019!
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David Montesino, our on-site Medicare expert, will be available at our Hallandale Beach office on Oct. 24th from 10AM to 1PM to answer all your questions regarding the Annual Enrollment Period. You can also contact David Montesino at (954) 709-8275 to schedule an appointment to discuss your Medicare needs, or you can drop in at any time during his on-site office hours listed below:
Hallandale Beach Office:
Wed. October 24th from 10 am to 1 pm
1117 E Hallandale Beach Blvd.
Hallandale Beach, FL 33009
(954)454-6300 [Read more…]
Obesity is one of the most serious public health problems of the 21st century. Health care expenditures for obese Americans accounted for 35% of all costs in 2006, or $303 billion, (Mr. Obama take note). This has increased from $167 billion in 2001. From 2001 to 2006 the number of obese Americans increased from 48 million to 59 million people. The day I wrote this article 45% of the patients I saw in my office practice were obese.
Obesity is a condition where excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it adversely affects your health. Most people recognize obesity on sight. A medical degree is not necessary to make the diagnosis. A good estimate of obesity is to calculate a number called body mass index (BMI). This number is obtained by measuring a personʼs height and weight and applying a simple formula. I do it for every patient in my office practice. A normal healthy value for BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9. From 25-29.9 a person is considered to be “overweight”. Anything above 30 is “obese”. Anything above 40 is considered “morbidly obese”, and above 50 “super obese”.
Obesity is a leading cause of death worldwide. A BMI of 30-35 reduces a personʼs life expectancy by 2-4 years. A BMI of more than 40 reduces life expectancy for men by 20 years and for women by 5 years.
Many common diseases are strongly associated with obesity particularly heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, breathing difficulties during sleep, certain types of cancer, and osteoarthritis. It is estimated that obesity is the cause of 64% of the cases of Type 2 diabetes in men and 77% of the cases in women.
Obesity is caused by a combination of excessive dietary calories (eating too much), lack of physical activity, and genetic susceptibility. In the American society the increased rates of obesity are felt to be due to easy accessibility of food and an increased reliance on cars and mechanized manufacturing. Our diets contain an increased percentage of processed fatty foods and sugars, and less whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. The alarming increase in childhood obesity correlates with increased time spent watching T.V. and playing video games, as well as a poor diet.
The primary treatment for obesity is dieting and physical exercise. In my practice I find most people have trouble doing either. Diets may produce weight loss over the short term, but keeping weight off is a problem and requires making exercise and a lower calorie diet a permanent part of your lifestyle. Success rates long- term are low (2-20%). Commercial diet programs like Jenny Craig, Weight-Watchers, or Nutri-Systems can be useful to help achieve weight loss.
Exercise alone in sufficient quantity will produce weight loss. In one study, during 20 weeks of basic military training with no dietary restrictions, obese military recruits lost an average of 27.6 pounds.
If diet and exercise alone fail, anti-obesity drugs may be tried to reduce appetite or inhibit fat absorption. Only 2 drugs are approved for long term use by the FDA. Meridia (an appetite suppressant), and Orlistat (inhibits fat absorption). Other drugs may be prescribed on a short term basis (usually 3 months or less).
For morbidly obese individuals, the last resort is Bariatric surgery, which reduces the ability to eat large quantities and absorb calories. These procedures have risks, but can be very successful at producing significant and permanent weight reduction. 
The potential benefits of weight reduction are significant. In one study intentional weight loss of any amount was associated with a 20% reduction in all-cause mortality.
Obesity is an extremely common problem and a very serious health concern. It goes far beyond cosmetics. It is an excellent reason to visit your doctor and begin a discussion. Getting your weight under control will improve your appearance, your energy level, and your health.
Written by Richard J. Wilbur, M.D., Board Certified in Internal Medicine.
No time to see your doctor during regular business hours? No problem!
Dr. Chiapone Ting and Physician Assistant Susan Budowsky will be seeing patients at our Hallandale Beach office tomorrow Saturday, Oct 13th from 9AM to 12PM.
Call (954) 454-6300 to make an appointment, walk-ins are also welcomed.
Safecare Hallandale Beach
1117 E Hallandale Beach Blvd.
Hallandale Beach, FL 33009
Chiapone Ting, MD
Susan Budowsky, PA-C
As the holidays and cooler days approach, so does the higher chance of getting the flu.
But how can we avoid the flu completely? Although there is no sure way to avoid it entirely, you can take simple steps to prevent falling prey to the flu by getting the annual flu shot, washing your hands regularly, eating a healthy diet, exercising, drinking enough fluids to maintain good hydration, consuming vitamin C, and taking precautions when caring or spending time with some one that already has the virus.
Talk to your doctor for a more personalized preventative treatment. The flu can be a very debilitating illness that you want to avoid.
Arm yourself for the season, get your flu shot early and stay healthy during the upcoming holidays and winter days.
Call our Hollywood office at (954) 989-7441 or our Hallandale Beach office at (954) 454-6300 for more information regarding the annual flu shot and to make an appointment. Walk-ins are also welcome, see our office hours for more details.
Congratulations to Chiapone Ting, MD FACP, and Richard Wilbur, MD FACP, for being awarded the Cigna Care Designation (CCD)!
Cigna has evaluated Safecare Medical Center’s physicians and has determined that Chiapone Ting MD, FACP, and Richard Wilbur, MD FACP, are top performers in both quality of care and cost efficiency in their specialty. Our physicians will be listed in the Cigna directory with the highest ratings for cost and quality. Some Cigna plans may even offer their members a lower co-pay for utilizing a CCD provider!
Thank you to Chiapone Ting MD, FACP, and Richard Wilbur, MD FACP, for continuously striving to provide our patients with the highest quality care available.
