I am just starting to look at this surgery and can't seem to find any surgeons in my area. It looks as if i'll need to travel to Erie and Hamot (2.5 horus) or Magee's Woman's in Pittsburg or Alegany gen, pittsburg too (both 3 hours) .

Any other ideas? Has anyone used either facility?

Thanks, pat

Erie is 2 hours away from me as well. I was told from my PCP that it was either Erie or Pittsburgh. My choice. Erie is closer. And they have been just wonderful up there.

hello my name is shelly i had my surgery in december of last year and I had it in butler pa. Im down 99 pounds since my surgery and I just love it. my docs name was dr evankowich-edwards. hope things go well for you.

I am from Bradford and have decided on AGH---good luck to you!

Hello I am on the fence and have been reading posts to get inspiration. I am in Erie, PA and would love any input that anyone could give me. Im not totally sure how to work a site like this so bare with me. Hope to chat soon THanks:rolleyes:

Shassy,

how's it going? have you met with a surgeon yet? What was the deciding factor for you? Have you gone to a support group meeting at the Bradford hosp.?

Nanband35,

Hi, I've decided to use Hamot and Dr. Alli. Have you gone to one of their support group meetings? They are very helpful. I went to a general one and then a lapband one. I found the lapband one much more helpful. But both had great info. As a matter of fact I'll be at the lapband one on the 12th.

My daughter and I are meeting with the surgeon, Dr. Alli, on the 20th at Hamot in Erie. We've both started out medically supervised diets, so i'm hoping things move quickly after that. :tongue:

Nice to know there are some others from our great state on this journey.

Pat

This is all pretty new for me. I am going to make the call to insurance company today to see if they cover..I guess I just havent since I was worried about not being approved but I guess I will never know unless I do it.:thumbup:

Good luck and let us know how you make out!

Hi, I have met both surgeons at AGH and I liked them both a lot. My deciding factor was that Hamot and UPMC send their difficult cases and the screw ups to AGH....It is also a recognized Bariatric Center. My surgery is Dec 8th. I would recommend them at this point!!!! Their outcomes are very good from what I can tell

Congratulations Shassy! Please keep in touch and let me know how your surgery goes.

I live in Butler, PA and am using Dr. Evancovich-Edwards. Hoping to be banded in February. I have a friend that was banded in May by the same doctor and she is down 70 lbs. Can't wait!:wink2:

Hi, Good luck on your surgery! February isn't that far away! I can't wait either.

take care and let us know how you make out.

Pat

Hi,

I am in Meadville, Pa

I had my lapband done on October 2, 2008 by Dr. Ali. A Great Surgeon.

Let me know if I can be of any help with info. Still learning alot.

Had my second fill today and things are going well, although slow, as expected!

Adoptmom2-3,

I'm glad things are going well for you. I'm glad to hear that your experience has been good. I hope i'll be able to submit to insurance by next week.

Pat

I had my surgery in Erie at Hamot with Dr. Ali on 1/7/09. My weight on DOS was 234. Today I weigh 197. I had a very good experience and am ecstatic to be below 200 for the first time since 1984. I have pretty much stuck by the rules/guidelines given to me pre op. The only exception was when I started regular foods I had a painful episode and thought a small amt of water would help. It did not. I have only recently gotten into exercising on a regular basis as we all know what the Erie weather can be like. I am very pleased and can't wait for warmer weather.

Sounds like you are on the right track. I definitely how our lovely weather can be. I swim at indoor pool for my exercise. Can't do much else due to a tendon problem in my foot. Isn't Dr. Ali wonderful? I am trying to get some sort of support group going in the Meadville area so that we don't have to do that drive to Erie. I have a tough time finding someone to watch the kiddos as well.