EndlsDremer

Hey everyone. I'm going to write about my experience with Dr. McCloskey since the only thread written was by me 4 months ago! I finally have a surgery date, which is Friday! Dec 17th. And I'm really REALLY nervous. My experience so far with Magee hospital has really been great. The staff is very nice and comforting. I had to complete a 6 month supervised diet, and to be honest I didn't lose any weight. I actually gained, and I was really embarrassed, but the staff never mentioned my weight gain. I had my initial visit with McCloskey about 1 month into my diet, and she is an extremely nice, intelligent woman. I get ridiculously nervous at any appointment, and I think she really zoned in on that and tried to make me feel as comfortable as possible. About 4 months in they set up a visit with the Nutritionist and a Psyc eval which took place one appointment after the other at Magee. About 30 minutes each. About 5 months into my diet they set up the upper GI and chest x-ray which also took place same appointment and at Magee. The upper GI was definitely not fun, but for some people it's not a big deal, so it's just going to depend on the person. I have a bad gag reflex and swallowing the barium was really hard. Most people have to chug it, but I really only got a few small sips down and they said they got a good enough picture. Because most of my testing was done at Magee I didn't have to worry about faxing much paperwork. Most of my doctors are part of UPMC, so Magee was able to pull the results of my diet, EKG, pap and stress test (which most people don't have to get, my EKG was abnormal, but ok) right from the computer system. I had my Pre-op visit and informational class 2 weeks before surgery. It takes about 2 hours. I met with Dr. McCloskey and she took time to answer any questions that I had, was not rushed at all. And although she probably hears the same questions everyday, she really took the time and explained everything in depth. She does not require a 2 week pre-op diet unless your BMI is above 60. Just Clear liquids the day before surgery. It is 1-2 nights in the hospital, (mostly 1) and everyone has a private room, so one person is allowed to spend the night with you. They do put a cath in during surgery because they want to monitor liquids going in and out. It will be taken out when your IV comes out. (Which I'm nervous about, but told you really can't feel a thing). She said surgery takes about 45 min-1 hour. She is now doing either one cut through your belly button, or the typical 5 small incisions, which I'm pretty sure depends on the person as well. Sorry if this was long, but hope it helps all you pre-op people considering Dr. McCloskey! I'll definitely have more information after Friday. Wish me luck!

Hi Randi, Sorry, I haven't been on here forever! Hope you got some answers to your questions? If not, message me! I live in the south hills. I love Dr. Mccloskey. Weight loss has been kind of slow for me, but I'm still very happy!

Thank you for posting. I too am on a slow path, 42 pounds in 9 months. So frustrating at times because it seems that everyone else is losing much quicker....but better down than up!

I was banded 3 weeks ago, and I think I've hit a plateau already!! Is this possible?? I lost 20.7 pounds, but for the past few days I've been up a pound, down a pound, up a pound, down, and today UP again! The thing is I'm still on the soft food/puree phase and I'm probably only getting in less than 1000 calories/day. This is so frustrating! I knew that the weight loss would slow down, but I definitely didn't expect to see a weight GAIN after going through this surgery. I just don't understand the science behind a weight gain with such a low amount of calories plus 30-45 minutes of exercise. Definitely bummed today...

Thanks everyone for the responses! I was just feeling down again today about my stall in weight loss...but after reading this I'm feeling better.... I'll try to increase my calories a little with healthy foods, keep up with the water, and let myself heal. Possible fill on the 26th? Hope everyone is doing well!

Hi everyone, This may seem like a silly question... but I never though to ask my surgeon where my port is. I'm 3 weeks post op, and I had five incisions. The longest is slightly above and to the left of my belly button (when looking down at myself). Is that most likely my port? I don't really feel anything under there. My other 4 incisions are very very small. The reason I'm asking is because for the past few days I've had a sharp muscular pain in my stomach located near my galbladder, slightly below my ribs. Painful with certain movements and tender to touch. I'm wondering if that is where my port would be located? Does anyone have any advice? Should I call my surgeon, or is this just part of the healing process? Thank you so much!

Hi! Glad you are doing well! I don't know if I saw you... there were 3 girls waiting for the gross upper GI.. I was with my bf.. remember me? I'm doing pretty well... Still a little sore, but nothing too bad. I didn't even know we had Fluid in our band?! I wonder if everyone does.. Did you get the extra stitches in your stomach? I did... I'm not sure if it's working any better, but I definitely don't feel any hunger. Question for you... today has been two weeks since surgery, are you moving on to soft/puree foods today or tomorrow, or waiting any longer? I'm SO ready to eat something rather than Soup, but nervous to move on! Hoping you are having a speedy recovery! (And getting through the holidays on this liquid diet! Ahhh) Marie

Because of the plan that Obama passed, you don't have to live with your parents, OR be a dependent to go back on their health insurance plan until you are 26. You just cannot have any other insurance available to you, which if the job doesn't work out, you won't. You will have to wait until your parents have open enrollment again, which happens once a year, so your surgery will most likely be delayed, but better late than never! I would absolutely talk to your parents about going back on their insurance plan. It will be worth it and will save you money. Also I noticed you said you had a fiance'... once you are married you cannot be on your parents health insurance any longer, however..does your soon to be hubby have health insurance? You can be insured under his plan once you are married. Ps- most open enrollment plans take place before the first of the year, and if thats the case with your parents, you have 2 days to get on their plan! Look into it. Good luck.

I'm not saying there is a right or wrong thing to do, but either way I'd listen to your surgeon. My doctor did not have a pre-op diet unless your BMI was over 60. I questioned why, because of course I've read on here that practically everyone has one, and she said that it's meant to shrink your liver so that the TOOL used to hold the liver up can maintain the weight, but very few livers are actually that large...she told me we are tortured enough for our post-op diet... I didn't do a pre-op diet. I will say it was sort of a shock once I started the post-op diet...but nothing that I didn't get used to in two days... Good luck

Carvey- What you are feeling is completely normal! Make a list of your risks due to surgery (which are extremely slim) and health risks due to obesity. One is definitely going to outweigh the other, by A LOT. I had my surgery 11 days ago, and I was EXTREMELY anxious about everything. Mostly the actual surgery at first, but let me tell you it really is nothing to be worried about, and you can trust me because I am a TOTAL baby when it comes to doctors/hospitals. It will be over before you know it, and the pain is very minimal, nothing you can't handle. Just stay on top of your pain medication, every 4-6 hours, for the first few days after surgery and you'll be fine. Some people never take any pain meds... After surgery the thought of not being able to eat started setting in and I was definitely having food depression for a few days... but the liquid diet doesn't last forever! You will be able to eat again, even foods that you love, just in smaller portions. Today was my post-op appointment with the surgeon, and first time I've stepped on the scale since surgery. Down 15 pounds! I swear I smiled from ear to ear... This is definitely worth it. Good luck to you, and update us on how everything goes! :thumbup:

YES. I did. I felt the same way... after reading a ton of posts on this site I thought I'd be up and ready to get back to life one or two days after surgery....wrong. It's been 9 days since surgery and I'm finally starting to feel like myself again. My stomach was sore, I was feeling some dizziness (probably from not getting in enough fluids) and I've just all around felt weak or run down. Oh and I don't want to forget the gas pain and bloated feeling! Yuck... I would give yourself a week to recover to all you pre-bandsters! But this is all totally worth it! To a new year of good health and (skinny) happiness!!

Tomorrow has been one week since surgery. I wasn't required a pre-op diet, only Clear liquids the day before surgery, so as of today it's been one week of no food! Scary sounding... Was anyone else afraid to step on the scale after surgery? I don't feel any different, and I'm afraid that if I step on there and I'm only down 2 pounds or something I'll be bummed. How often do you guys weigh yourself? Also, I don't feel hungry at all, such a nice feeling! Makes it easier since I'm only on the full liquid stage, but also hard because I really have to force myself to drink, and I'm afraid I'm not getting enough nutrition. Does everyone else get their daily required nutrition in? Thanks so much!

Good luck! My surgery was this past Friday. What an exciting Christmas present for all of us! It will be over before you know it.

Have to be at the hospital at 5:15am. I can't believe the day is here. I'm REALLY really nervous. Asking that you keep me in your thoughts tomorrow. Good luck to all the December bandsters!

Thanks everyone for the replies! Surgery went well. I am so relieved that it is over, however the actual surgery wasn't THAT bad. I have been in some pain this week, mostly just discomfort from the gas...which sucks. I'm just ready to be back to myself and start this new life journey! Merry Christmas everyone!!!