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

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.

Congratulations on being under 200! You are doing great! I had my surgery with Dr. Ali on 2/16/09. I was 220 on DOS and today am 208, i can't wait to get below 200! I had my first fill this past Tuesday, a small one of 1 cc. I've been exercising inside, using Wii fit and only last week, getting outside to walk/run. I'm happy with my decision and pleased with my progress.

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.

adoptmom, I'm thinking of starting a yahoo group for those of us who had surgery at Hamot. Would you be interested? It would be a simpler form of this, but mostly for those of us who used Hamot.

Hope you both have a pleasant day! Lets stay in touch.

Pat

That sounds great, Pat. I can also direct the others I have located in Meadville area that also used Hamot or are planning to to join us. Let me know how things go.

Thanks, Sis

i will try to get the group stuff finished this weekend and get the address to you by monday. Thanks!

Where did you all get your weight loss tickers and how do you insert them? Sometimes I am technologically challenged.

I get my ticker from www.tickerfactory.com

after you create one, you can copy and paste the bbc code into your signature in the user cp here.

Good luck.

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.

Glad to here it. I'm an Erie Native, living in Columbus, Ohio for the past 32 years. My sister is going to Hamot now.

I live in Erie and went through Dr. Arreola with hamot barriatrics. I had my surgery 2/24/09. So far I've had 2 fills and lost 40 pounds. I've been very pleased with my doctor and hid staff. My bf friend was banded last October with Dr. Ali in the same practice and she's been happy with them as well. If anyone has any questions just ask .

:mad:i guess i am just venting here..i know its a minor set back but frustrating once you go through all the hoops and wait so long. i went in to my last appointment with heidi today and all my info was in. i thought we would be submitting to insurance today and was so excited. i guess after getting an EKG dr ali would like me to also get a stress test. so now i have to wait to goto that on june 4th and then probably 5 or so days to get the report back to submit to insurance. that is if nothing is wrong with the stress test. i know (as a nurse)the heart is crutial and better safe than sorry but still just frustrating. guess i just need to take a deep breath and refocus and get on track

Coming to Erie this weekend for the first time since my surgery. It will probably be the first time I don't eat an entire Barbato's pizza and a few pepperoni balls.

:thumbup: claps hands wooohoooo. Although your probably much thinner now

I would love to enter the Hamot 5K in August. My knees no longer bother me and I have begun run/walking when I am getting my exercise in. I weighed 178 this a.m. (234 on DOS 1/7/09). I went shopping with my daughter and tried on dresses that she said looked awesome on me. That - coming from a 16 y/o meant a lot. I have no regrets even with the occasional wrong food choices that we all know we pay dearly for. Good luck to all.

I would love to enter the Hamot 5K in August. .

Do you have the date on that one? I would love to do that as well, if I'm not already signed up for a 5K here. I did run the last 2 times I was in Erie, compared to Columbus, I had forgotten about all those hills. Columbus, is flat. (pun intended)

Never mind, I looked it up, they are doing a 5k 10k at the same time, its 2 weeks after the one i have scheduled here in Columbus, will have to give it some thought.

Edited June 21, 200917 yr by BillOh