Lap Banders from Pittsburgh?????????

You say 4 of 6 classes???  I did not know there was classes involved.  Are these manditory or optional???  Also which doctor did you choose??  My wife works at UPMC and has heard great things about Dr. Anita Courcoulas.  But you have to watch because UPMC is a big time teaching hospital so you have to make sure your doctor is th eone actually performing the surgery.

When I say 6 classes this is for the insurance requirement for 6 month diet and exercise that most of them from what I read require. Magee has a program for a fee that you attend a class each month where they weigh you, make you turn in a food and exercise log, and give you a short class on different topics that relate to weight loss surgery. You can do this with your PCP, but my impression is that Magee's program gives you that little edge when it comes time for a letter to go to the insurance which they will write. I have my first appointment with Dr. Courcoulas at the end of the month since you need to attend so many classes before you see the doc.

I live in Pittsburgh, was banded in Oregon about 5 years ago, and am pursuing revision now due to band slippage.  I originally was going to have West Penn do my revision (Dr Gagne) and I really love that office.  But United Healthcare is being a pain and I decided to switch my insurance this year and my only other choice was UPMC.  I met Dr Courcoulas at Magee yesterday, yes the office is HUGE, and the staff is impersonal.  But I really liked Dr Courcoulas and am hoping to get this thing done finally really really soon!!!  I'd be more than happy to meet with you if you want - I've only been in PGH for a few years and am always happy to meet new people :-)  PM me if you'd like.

I also am going thru the program at Magee.  Only 2 more classes to go.  Yes you can do the monthly weigh-ins with your PCP, but you also still have to pay for the 6 month program (Lifestyle Weight Management) and attend one seession at Magee each month even if you see your PCP.  This is a requirement of their program.  Yes i find a lot of the staff there very impersonable, but I love my physician and after all he is the one doing  the surgery!!

I attended seminars at 3 different hospitals/bariatric groups before deciding on Magee.  Regardless of where you go or which surgeon you choose, the 6 months pre-op phase is most likely mandatory with your insurance. 

Best advice,  check with your insurance requirments first, attend seminars at different places and choose which is right for you.  (I will have to pay a higher percentage of the costs by going thru Magee instead of my home hospital, which also has a newer bariatric program...but that because I feel comfortable with the reputation of magee and skill of my docs).  If you are limited to Magee by your insurance, then maybe go to more than one informational seminars as each month it seems they are given by a different physician.