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

congratulations on everything being covered!!

I had mine done at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, PA, by Dr. Anthony Petrick on 11/30/07. Geisinger is a Bariatric Center of Excellence.

Jana

congratulations. i know where geisenger medical center is my family is from there. very nice hospital it is. hope things are going well for you!!!

Hello everyone! I'm Charlene and I'm from Manns Choice (about 7 mi. west of Bedford).

I'm in the approval process for banding at this point. I've finished my 6 month diet and will see the nutritionist and psych on Friday.

During the past 6 months I've lost 44# on my own and now I'm questioning whether I should go through with it. Yes . . . I admit it . . I'm scared! I'm a little queasy about being able to feel the port and the band. Silly -- I know!

Dr. Courcoulas is very optimistic that I will reach my goal easily since I've been so dedicated to the 6 month diet.

I lost 40 pounds before my band surgery in November. I had to meet insurance requirements. Losing weight was not the issue for me (and 95% of persons that are 100 lbs or more over weight). The issue is keeping it off. Statistics show that morbidly obese folks have only a 3-5% chance of not gaining the weight back and more. Sad facts. I have lost over 100 pounds before and gained back 111. Many will have the same story. Lapband is a tool to help us keep this weight off. We are genetically engineered to regain the weight, to return to a set point. Portion control and behavioral modification are the keys to losing and maintaing the loss and the lap band provides 1/2 of that IF you follow the bandster rules and do not eat around the band.

The port does not feel that odd, either, truly. Good luck with your decision.

Jana

banded 11/30/07

326/273/150

02.07/now/goal

I lost 40 pounds before my band surgery in November. I had to meet insurance requirements. Losing weight was not the issue for me (and 95% of persons that are 100 lbs or more over weight). The issue is keeping it off. Statistics show that morbidly obese folks have only a 3-5% chance of not gaining the weight back and more. Sad facts. I have lost over 100 pounds before and gained back 111. Many will have the same story. Lapband is a tool to help us keep this weight off. We are genetically engineered to regain the weight, to return to a set point. Portion control and behavioral modification are the keys to losing and maintaing the loss and the lap band provides 1/2 of that IF you follow the bandster rules and do not eat around the band.

The port does not feel that odd, either, truly. Good luck with your decision.

Jana

banded 11/30/07

326/273/150

02.07/now/goal

Hi Charlene,

Congrats on your great weight loss. It shows determination. I am a bandster from Bedford and it was the best decision I have ever made. I have lost about 300 pounds during my life and it keeps coming back as soon as I eat anything except salad. With the band I am losing slowly and permanantly. I can eat anything I want just in small quantities. So if I want a cookie , I can have ONE. Since I have a much smaller intake, I find myself thinking more about the nutritional value of what I eat. I lose about 1.5 pounds a week.

It is weird to be able to feel the band and the port. I usually don't think about it unless I lean against something like a railing, then I can feel it.

Good luck with your decision. Did you know there is a monthly support group at windber hospital open to everyone regardless of where you are banded?

I didn't know that Windber Hospital had a support group. That would be easier for me to attend those held in Pittsburgh.

I'll get used to the band and port. It's just the waiting and thinking about everything before the surgery.

hi ladies im also living in bedford county. We just moved to the Alum Bank area. I also lost 30 pounds and also wonder if I really should have surgery. I am scared about being put to sleep and having the operation done. Dr Marley in Windber is my surgeon. I really do like him.

I just had my 5th dr appt on thursday so only one more visit then the fun of waiting to see if insurance will really cover me.

CharBrue - I live at Reels Corner - just up the mountain! I also go to Dr Marley. I had my surgery a year ago and I'd do it again tomorrow if I had to. I love the support group in Windber, I go almost every month. You are more then welcome to join us. I forgot to tell you Scrappy-Friend you don't need to call ahead, just show up. They have moved the meetings to the Joyce Murtha Building, up stairs. Its easy to find.

Char can I ask why you aren't going with Dr Marley? He's wonderful, I was so thankful to find him in our own backyard.

Hi everybody,

I'm in Harrisburg and had my surgery done with Dr. Dimarco. He's very nice and did a great job. I feel good and I'm full of energy. My op. was on 11/5 and I've lost 22 lbs. I didn't have to do a pre- op diet. I would have been under 100lbs. then. My insurance doesn't require it. Even if you have lost the weight, it is hard to keep it down. I really recommend the surgery.

Good luck!

I agree with the above about "keeping it off". I think we've all lost plenty of weight while we diet but as soon as we go back to "not dieting" it all comes right back on. I can honestly say that I've tested my band and over the holidays I ate whatever I wanted (which was about a million cookies) and I still lost a pound. I have faith in my band to help me keep the weight off.

hey steph are you hooked up to the yahoo messanger I got your name off of your profile here and tried to im you. If you really are hooked up to it buzz me I use the name scrappy_friend on it.

Thats Why I Decided To Get The Surgery! Losing The Weight Wasnt The Problem For Me It Was Keeping It Off. And This Has Helped Me So Much In The Month I Have Been Banded. Now If I Woulda Just Been Dieting And Then Hit A Slow Spot Like I Am On Right Now I Woulda Put The Weight Back On. But I Have Yet To Gain Any Back Of The 35 I Have Lost.

StephC,

I didn't even know there was a MD around here that did bariatric surgery. My PCP sent me to Magee because he had several other patients that had wonderful results. They had the RNY.

I just came back from my nutritional and psych consult which I passed. Does that mean I'm normal?!?! LOL Whatever 'normal' is!

So now I just need to wait for the insurance approval.

I'm going to try to be at the next support meeting. It will be nice to meet some people from my area and hear their successes.

Charlene