Hi,

I am searching for a lap band dr in western pa. I also was hoping to hear from someone in western pa that has a lap band. thanks for any help

Hi Naomi, I am not from Penn. But was born there. (Eastern) I Just wanted to say Welcome to LBT. It's a great place for support!!

Good Luck!!!!!

hi, i had the lapband 9/03 at magee hospital near pittsburgh. you can email me or ask here. what do you want to know?

Hi,

There are several sugeons doing lap band surgery in Pittsburgh.

i have my first consultation appt. on March 27.

cal

hello fellow Pennsylvanians! I am from Somerset County and my doctor is Kim Marley from Windber - anyone else have dr. Marley?

Hello! I am new to Pennsylvania. Just moved to Central area. I have been researching the possibilities of Lap Band surgery. Still uncertain if insurance will cover and have no clue as to where to begin looking for credible doctors with experience in Lap Band.

I have been overweight most of my life. I am 5'11" and 302 lbs. (Down from just under 400, but still too heavy) Currently my BMI is 42 so I am really needing to get on the ball finding information. More than likely I will need a referral from my physician if my insurance will cover the procedure. Does anyone have any information or opinions regarding how to go about dealing with all of that? OR if insurance will not cover it, what are the best options out there for helping to pay for this without going broke or deep into dept?

Also I have heard of procedures that some Dr.'s sew a flap of skin around the band to prevent slippage and others do not. Does anyone know why some do and some don't?

Also, I always read that some complications can occur. What complications can come with Lap Band? I know one that was mentioned was leakage. What symptoms do you have to know if you have leakage? Also erosion was one I read about, but again, how do you know? What are the symptoms?

Any help at all would be great!

Thanks!

hi, i had the lapband 9/03 at magee hospital near pittsburgh. you can email me or ask here. what do you want to know?

Hi I was born and raised a PA girl in Beaver County! I am now in Ohio and have been for the past 16 years.

i too am looking to having the procedure done and sure am not sure where to go! My health insureance is out oa a Pitt business and not sure to try here in Ohio or in PA!

Good luck to all ya!

Vicki

Hi,

There are several sugeons doing lap band surgery in Pittsburgh.

i have my first consultation appt. on March 27.

cal

Hi has anyone gone to West Penn Bariatric Center??? I am schedualed to go Dec 6th.

Hi has anyone gone to West Penn Bariatric Center??? I am schedualed to go Dec 6th.

:eek:

i went to Shadyside in Pitts as that's where my surgeon operates from (Dr. Courcoulas) She also operates from Magee.

cal

Hi mama3girls/Vicki.

Can't wait to hear what you think of West Penn Bariatric... that is where I am scheduled for my initial consult on the 12th...

Heather

Hi mama3girls/Vicki.

Can't wait to hear what you think of West Penn Bariatric... that is where I am scheduled for my initial consult on the 12th...

Heather

Hi Heather!

Well thankyou for posting! I went today (the 6th of Dec) and seen the doctor and his staff for the first time! I think you will like them! I seen Dr Gane (spelling poor) he was very nice, took time to explain and listened and answered all my questions. The office staff to was very friendly and helpful, the dietian was really nice, had alot of helpful advise. The doctors assistant, rubbed me the wrong way as if I was stupid nand was rather bossy! That did not leave a very good impression, may have been an off day for her, unsure! not sure why! But over all a very nice staff!

I had to have an Upper GI due to the fact that I have had the Gastric bypass in 2000. that went well and by the time I arrived at the office in the afternoon he had results for me! So it was nice that the hospital is right there and they work with this doctor!

I am not having the lap band, I may have revision surgery on my little pouch not sure at this point will take some time!

Oh ya it seems as if this process may take some time to get approval and the actual surgery! I go back in 6 to 8 weeks, which landed on Feb 14th!

Let me know when you go and what you think of it all too! Can't wait to hear your response! I feel very pleased!

Vicki

Ah, thanks!

I'm hoping to get a quick surgery date as I am on break between semesters...

(well, after 3 more tests and a presentation I am... LOL)

I have to prepare myself that they may not be able to accomodate that...

Heather

Well hopefully for you they will be able to. From what I gathered the process takes awhile! mostly because of the insurance, they say that it is harder to recieve approval now than when I had it first! Are you going for the bypass or the lap band? I had wanted to get the lap band but they said that insurance will not approve that yet! Well let me know how it goes for you the 12th! i will be excited to here!

Vicki

Good luck on the battle through the insurance lines!

My insurance has a written exclusion for all obesity treatments... so I'm a self pay for the lap band...

Tuesday is coming quickly!

Good luck on the battle through the insurance lines!

My insurance has a written exclusion for all obesity treatments... so I'm a self pay for the lap band...

Tuesday is coming quickly!

Hello

I have been wondering just how it went for ou this past Tues? Drop me a line and let me know what you thought of everything and how soon you get to get the procedure?

Vicki

Hi!

Everybody was really nice... still have to go through the psych portion and some testing... plus an upper GI so my next round of appointments are the 25th of January and then I should be able to get a date then... I have resigned myself to being patient and spending this pre-op time getting into good habits as much as possible...

REALLY wanted an early January date though...:phanvan Start the new year off right and all that... LOL...