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

Hello! I am new to Pennsylvania. Just moved to Central area.

Hi Tawnda,

I was banded on 10/9/06 in Harrisburg by Dr. Currie and I could not be more pleased. I live about 80 miles from Harrisburg, but it was worth the drive up there. In fact, two weeks ago when I was in the office they were running behind and there were a lot of us in there -- all swapping stories and comparing notes. Hardly anyone was from the immediate Harrisburg area, but we had all done our homework and were all extremely pleased with the results. The fun thing was that there were people waiting who were everywhere from people who were just getting info for the first time to the recently banded to people who were walking success stories. We decided that we had our own support group right there and living, breathing testimonials.

Feel free to PM me and I will be happy to share anything I can with you about my experience and what I know of the practice.

Mary

WOW Mary you are doing really well from the looks of your weight loss scale! Great job! I am not able to get the lap band on my previuos GB, had really wanted to but not gonna happen! I may end up having a revision on my stomach, there are problems that need fixed so maybe get it all done at the same time!

Keep up the good work!

Vicki

Hi Mary..Hi everyone-

I think this is wonderful that we are getting a PA group together...I was banded a year ago and used to check the PA threads but we never had any chatter....that sure has changed!!

Getting the lapband was the best thing I have ever done for myself...I was 192 this morning (2 LBS FROM GOAL..YEA). I will try to continue to lose after I get there. It has slowed down a bit but I am exercising and eating well so I know I will get there!!

I am actually training to do a 1/2 marathan....could have NEVER done that almost 100 lbs ago : )

I am looking for a fill doctor in the Harrisburg area...any suggestions??

Good luck to all of you!!!

Hi all! Has anyone had any experience with Hershey Medical Center, and/or, Highmark PPO with their Lap Band?

Yahoo group for Pennsylvania interest in Lap Band:

lapbandpa

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/lapbandpa/

Thanks, Greg

Hello. I'm from Pgh and will get banded next Thursday with Dr. Courcoulas. It's good to see some Penns here. I'm excited and nervous but can't wait to have it done and over with.

Hi everyone. I'm attending a seminar at AGH on Friday with Dr. Colella, head of bariatrics at AGH. They quoted me a self pay price of $10,600, which I was thrilled with because I thought it would be much more! I'm just curious about whether or not I need a psych evaluation with self pay...???

Hello. I'm from Pgh and will get banded next Thursday with Dr. Courcoulas. It's good to see some Penns here. I'm excited and nervous but can't wait to have it done and over with.

Hiya!

i had Dr. C. for my lapband in Nov. She is a great surgeon and explainer!

Before i could go for any follow up office visits, she had her baby---girl....so i haven't seen her since!!

i see Mike for fills....he's a PA and great! Even calls after a few days to check on you. They only do fills on Mondays.

i had surgery at Shadyside. Will you be there or at McGee?

You are in great care.

cal----(female)

PS. i live in Titusville, which is a long way from Pittsburgh. About 2 1/2 hrs. depending on who's driving! Wish i could find a closer doc for fills....it's an all day trip.

We're getting all the Pittsburgh Hospitals represented here! I'm scheduled March 7th with Dr Papasavas through West Penn.

Wow... that self-pay of 10600 at AGH is good! I was quoted 12000 but now am waiting to find out if that is going to be true... I wouldn't choose on price alone but realistically that does enter into the final decision as well!!!

Hi Heather,

i saw Dr. Papasavous (sp?) about 3 years ago for a lap band consult. i just loved him! He was kind, informative and had a good sense of humor!

At that time, he had not done a lap band procedure.....only gastric bypass....and that made me nervous!

His "insurance gals" at the time were not kind or helpful. They didn't want to fight my insurance at all....just kept saying they didn't want to submit any papers cuz they would be turned down.

Thus ended my time with Dr. Papa.

i am glad to hear that he is now doing lap bands. He will be great!

cal

Hello. I'm from Pgh and will get banded next Thursday with Dr. Courcoulas. It's good to see some Penns here. I'm excited and nervous but can't wait to have it done and over with.

I bet you're so excited about your surgery. check in and let us know how you're doing!!!!!:clap2:

Hi all,

I'm from Latrobe, PA, Westmoreland County.

I'm going to see Dr. Costa in Greensburg on Monday for

my first visit! I'm still learning my way around this site.

So glad I found this.

I'm 5' 4" 228 lbs. Been up and down with my weight

all my life. I'm married to a wonderful guy and I have

a 13 year old daughter who keeps me hopping!

Well, not too much hopping in my shape, but you

get my drift...I need to lose weight to keep up with

her and my husband. Who can eat anything by the

way and not gain an ounce grrrr...

Oh well, I'll check in again later and see how you

all are doing. Good luck to you!

Mia-Welcome.

This site is great to get a lot of your questions answered. Let me tell you getting a lapband was the BEST thing I have ever done for myself. I hit 100 lbs lost this week....100 lbs!!! I could have never done that on my own. The lapband is a wonderful tool to get you to your goal.

Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. Good luck in your journey !!!!!!

Hey Mia - we're neighbors! I live near Shanksville - Flight 93. So we're only about 30 minutes apart. I'm just off of rt 30. I had my surgery in Windber (just outside of Johnstown) with Dr. Marley. He's great. I would HIGHLY recommend him.

Originally, I had planned to go to Allegheny General for their group session. But, St. Clair is very close to my house and the date and time were more convenient. I'd love to communicate with others in the Pgh area who have had this done and any suggestions/advice/info that might help me.

It's a tough road to navigate on your own! So happy to have found this place!

Thanks! Judi

Hi everyone I'm also from PA. Im from Somerset County in Somerset. So I'm near you StephC. I actually will be having mine if I get my insurance to pay for it. In Cleveland Clinic, Ohio just because I was already being seen by my endo up there and she refered me to have it done. Its a long ride up there so I probally will stay there for a week after at my reletaves so I won't have to come the whole way back up in a week. If I could just convince them to let me stay in the hospital the whole time. Get pain meds through IVs and get waited on and make sure im comfy and see all the soctors I need to see for the whole week. but hopefully we can stay at my relataves there or they have a guest house on campus that they can help with staying there for the week. Im nervious but excited and I really want it done right away. But I don't even know if my PA assestance will cover it. But I have not even seen any docs yet I just sent in my survey and questionarre. Its always nice to meet others in PA.