lap bands in pennsylvania

[pgh3rivers 0]

McGee claims that if you attend the 6 month program and you are turned down by your insurance they will refund the cost of the 6 m program. I would speak with them and your pcp to see what you can do to be approved.

[Maggie63 0]

Just wanted to say hello to everyone...it is good to finally see some PA bandsters out there.

I am several years out and could not be happier with my band. Like all of you...i lost and gained hundreds of lbs over my lifetime...I could just not keep it off.

Dr DiMarco and lapband changed that for me. I have not gained since the surgery and am doing great. I am heathier than I have ever been..and am training for a marathon in May...never could have done that at 285 lbs!!

Those of you who are unsure...I understand where you are coming from...it was a tough decision for me. I kept thinking I could do it on my own....when I hit 40 years old i realized that I was fooling myself. It was time to make something happen. I could not be happier.

Margaret

[iamlisad 0]

Hi everyone -

I was banded last Friday, 02/29 at Magee Hospital by Dr. Carole McCloskey. I didn't have to go through the six months of classes because I had first gone for a consult before that started. I did 6 months of private sessions with my PCP.

I was originally scheduled on 2/1 and Magee pulled the plug on the surgery the afternoon before. My insurance (which is my primary) had denied the claim (they said I should have been 12 pounds heavier) but my husbands insurance had approved and was willing to make full payment as the secondary. The risk folks at Magee wanted to make sure that the secondary was really willing to pay before we proceeded so they gave away my O.R. spot and bumped me to 2/29.

My experience at Magee was OK. I liked Dr. McCloskey and felt comfortable with her. I was surprised at how crappy I felt after the surgery. I had a vaginal hysterectomy about 5 years ago and was ready to get up and go pretty much as soon as I woke up but this time I felt like crap. In hindsight I wish I had a support person stay with me overnight. There is a chair/bed in the room that makes that possible. While the staff is good, it does take some time for them to respond. I woke up at some point in the middle of the night and was pretty disoriented in a dark room with the door closed and I couldn't find my wand with the call button on it! Would have been nice to have my hubby or daughter there in the room just for reassurance.

I came home Saturday afternoon after the upper GI. Sunday was spent mostly sleeping. Yesterday I moved around the house a bit. I had hoped to go back to work later this week after reading how well many people do post-op, but my belly still really hurts and I've had the runs about every 20 minutes for the past two days.

Dr. McCloskey's protocal calls for 3 - 4 days of Clear Liquids and then move to full liquids so today I had some s/f instand Breakfast which I think has made the runs worse. Grrrr.

With my stomach growing, belly aching, and running to the toilet constantly I'm having a hard time keeping focused on what a good decision I have made. Its helping to read some of your stories to know that once I get through t his valley it will be worth it.

Does anyone know of any post-band support groups that meet in person in Western PA? Groups I've come across seem to be bypass heavy. I live in the Murrysville area but work in Pittsburgh.

Cheers to all -

Lisa

[JudiM 1]

I was banded by Dr. McCloskey at Magee in August. I'm very happy with the decision and feel good about the staff at Magee (where I go to get my fills). As for Magee.....eh....it was okay. I had 2 C-Sections at St. Clair (85 & 91) and was treated like a queen. Magee is a beautiful hospital for sure and thankfully I wasn't sick-sick.....just miserable! I do not know about support groups but you may want to check with Dr. McCloskey's office....they may be able to refer you to one. Also, this board is a wonderful source of support and motivation. If you haven't joined your monthly group in the MONTHLY GROUP section here.......you should do so now! It's filled with people who are at the same point as you. It's very helpful. Also, I maintain a blog.....I started it when I got my Lapband and keep it up fairly regularly. It's not exactly Lapband "heavy" but I do have a fair # of readers who correspond with me because of it and consider it a form of support. You are more than welcome to stop by and see if it works for you. The door is always open!!!! :biggrin2: You will also find others who have a blog about their Lapband journey.

Congrats on your decision. Honestly, I know it feels kind of miserable now and you wonder if you made the right choice. But, I promise you, you will see that it may have been one of the best decisions you made!!!

Good Luck!!!

[pgh3rivers 0]

I think, THINK Magees Nutritional Program has a lap band and a lap band and bastric combined support group that meets at Shadyside. I know that there is a combo support group meeting on the first Weds of the month at Magee. The meeting is at 7pm in room 12131. I'll look for my support group flier in my files when I am home later this evening.

:thumbdown:

[CharBrue 0]

brez1015

I'm seeing Dr. Courcoulas at Magee. I am scheduled for my anesthesia visit on 3/11 and my surgery 4/3 and right now I'm getting the heebie jeebies. I've lost 57# on my own and am feeling like superwoman right now to continue on my own.

I'm wondering if I'll be able to take the 2 1/2 hr ride home the day after surgery.

[thunderstorm816 0]

Newbie here..surgery on April 7th with Dr. Marley in Windber. On the countdown....hello fellow western pa'ers

[JudiM 1]

Good Luck Tracey!

My cousin is having his Lapband done by Dr. Marley. I hear great things about him!!! Good Luck!! This is the best thing you've ever done for yourself!!! Judi

[thunderstorm816 0]

Well tomorrow is the big day and I am NERVOUS. I am not a fan of needles and surgery just makes a person nervous. Thank God it is first thing in the morning. Can't wait to get it over with.

[brez1015 0]

Charbrue,

How Did Everything Go For You?

[jdrocks226 0]

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, i had my surgery in butler, pa, dr. Edwards. She does all the fills herself and the surgery. I have never had to wait for an appointment for fills, get right in. Office staff is wonderful...i have ppo blue and they have pd everything so far. Judy

[thetvgeneral 0]

hi! i'm from johnstown...had my lapband done by dr. marley on august 5th. going for my first fill today! can hardly wait!!!

[jordanltb 0]

How is your Lap Band post-op going? I just had mine done on 9/24/08. I won't have my first post-op visit until 10/7. How has the liquid diet been for you? I get a bit light-headed but other than that, I am fine. My doctor is Dr. Matt Kirkland of Pennsylvania Hospital in Philly.

Edited September 29, 2008 by jordanltb1

[thetvgeneral 0]

well so far so good...i think i'm down a total of 38 pounds...i did get my first fill last week and it was like learning to eat all over again.

i didn't have much problem with my post op liquid diet...although i was certainly ready to get back to soft food when they let me.

hope things are good with you!!

[jordanltb 0]

Were you afraid to eat normal foods? That's one of my fears too. I think these forums are great because I don't feel alone. How do you feel now that you are down 38 lbs?