Your experience with UCSD and Dr. Horgan?

SanDiegoSusan · April 27, 2008

Hi Everyone.

I am planning to use Dr. Horgan with UCSD and I was wondering about people's total experience who used them for their Lap Band Surgery. Overall was it a good experience? Was the staff friendly and willing to answer questions? Did you feel like you had the support you needed? If you were cash-pay (I will be) were the fees close to what you were quoted?

I would appreciate any information you can provide, both pro and con. Thank you so much in advance and I really look forward to hearing your stories (overall not just at UCSD) and successes! Thank you!!!:smile2:

SanDiegoSusan · April 29, 2008

Mostly this is to bump me up so people will see this post and hopefully answer but I also wanted to clarify that I am looking for people who worked with Dr. Horgan at UCSD and not in Chicago since the experiences may be very different. Anyone go to UCSD?

Thanks so much!

Jess77 · April 30, 2008

Hi Susan,

I was also wondering about Dr. Horgan. I went to the seminar at UCSD last Wednesday and made a firm decision that I want to get this procedure done. I have my first initial evaluation next Wednesday. I'm hoping to meet Dr. Horgan in person at that time. So far everyone that I have dealt with at UCSD has been wonderful. Extremely kind and caring and proactive. I couldn't be happier. Hope it continues on this way. My only concern at this point is that my insurance won't cover the surgery. I should have a better idea about that though next week.

Have you attended a seminar yet?

Jessica

SanDiegoSusan · May 1, 2008

Hi Jessica:

I went yesterday for my first appointment - psych, nutrition and surgical consults. The entire staff was wonderful and it was a very easy process. I did see 6 separate people but each was very friendly and had a role to play so that made sense. (I know someone else here had a very bad experience on their first visit and said they had to show their stomach four times. I only did twice and no one was unfriendly, demeaning or asked stupid questions.)

I have to go through 4 weeks of changing my eating patterns and lose 8 pounds before they will even consider me for the surgery. (This will be in addition to the 2 week liquid diet.) Disappointed by this but I understand the reason: If I can't do it now how will I do it after the surgery? I'm not too worried - I've already given up soda and caffeine so now it's just eat good instead of crappy food and exercise 1/2 hour a day. (I went for an hour long hike around La Jolla last night with a friend so am already off to a good start on that.)

There's a lot that happens at the first appointment but from my experience it is nothing to fear. Just remember this is an educational facility and they are more concerned with your success than with making a profit so you will get excellent care. I am so far extremely pleased with UCSD (well, except for the month delay as I was mentally set to be on a liquid diet today :cool2:) and an looking forward to the process. If you are a better candidate than I am you may actually be two or three weeks ahead of me in everything, otherwise I will probably be a week ahead of you. Of course, I am self-pay so no insurance hassles (be respectful but persistent with insurance the nice squeaky wheel gets the oil.) So let's keep in touch and see how it goes.

P.S. Worst part, even worse than having cute doctors look at my ugly belly, was taking the before picture. Fortunately, I didn't have to view it.:biggrin2:

Jess77 · May 1, 2008

Hi Susan,

Thank you for sharing your experience with me. I was initally scheduled to go in for the eval next Wednesday but due to work obligations I had to reschedule for May 21st. I have to admit now you've got me a bit nervous about the doctors looking at my belly and the picture. How uncomfortable! As for the picture, is it just of you standing there in regular clothes or in a hospital gown? And for the showing of the belly...do you just lift up your shirt, do they make you put a gown on, do they touch you? I can just picture them poking at my belly fat! :cool2: Anything you're willing to share to better prepare myself for would be very helpful.

I'm not sure if they will put me on a diet or not. My diet is pretty good. I tend to eat lots of chicken, veggies, and whole grains. I think my problem though is that I eat too much of those things. Too much of a good thing can be bad! I'm always hungry though. That's why I want this surgery to get rid of the hunger. In the summer I live on fruit and remarkably I gain weight so quickly on fruit. But is it better for me to eat fruit or candy? I'm thinking the fruit is better yet puts the weight on me just as candy would. My downfall with unhealthy food would be Cereal. I love cereal! Nice, sugary, cereal! I tend to eat it at night when I'm hungry and I know this can't be good for me.

Right now I'm about two points shy of the 40 BMI I need for my insurance purposes. So I say in shame, that for the last week all I've eaten is food that is high in calories and fat as I'm actually try to gain weight! I feel so horrible though! I'm tired and feel heavy and just overall gross! How do they weigh you at UCSD? Can you wear your street clothes and shoes? Any little ounce could help me.

Thank you so much for your input. It's good to know someone is going through the same thing. I'd like very much to stay in touch :biggrin2:

Jessica

SanDiegoSusan · May 6, 2008

Hi Jessica:

I'm a lot older than you (a very old 41:biggrin2:) and am getting to the point where I care less about things like my belly being looked at. At your age it would have KILLED me! Just keep in mind that these surgeons and other health care professionals spend their day looking at tummy's and many of them will be far worse than yours. It's kinda of like going to the OB/Gyn - no matter how intimidating and terrifying it is to us to them it's just another Vajayjay out of the dozens they will see that day. Unless you code on the table or have some other extraordinary event, no one who looks at your stomach during this meeting will remember it the next day. Unless you paint it purple with yellow balloons of course. The picture is you fully dressed - front pic and side pic. I am also taking my own set at home. As hard as this pictures are for us to take now someday we will be extremely proud of the progress we have made. Go to the before and after pics part of the forum if you want to see some inspiring hot people!

Honestly, the exam was no worse than an annual exam (not pap smear exam) with my doctor. Please don't worry about it. They have to look to see if there are considerations for surgery (i.e. scaring.) They will also feel your neck (Thyroid), check your ankles (no idea why but doctors keep doing this so it must be important), listen to your breath and to your heart. This is all important. Some people have discovered major problems during the exams that they were able to catch and treat. :lol: (See other forums - I've read a few stories.) Just remember, this is what they do all day - no one is going to think twice about you. No gown - they just had me sit on the edge of a table or lay back so they could look/listen. Never even had to show my bra.

For the weigh in they had me take off shoes and socks (darn - no pedicure!) and step on a scale that measures weight and BMI. Full street clothes and I went after lunch and after drinking 1/2 gallon of Water so I weighed a good ten pounds more than I do in the morning with just a nightshirt. (And I forgot my keys were in my pocket so that was another 6 oz.) Heavy clothes may help - I just wouldn't make it too obvious. Remember a quart of Water is two pounds. :lol:

Hope this helps. Please don't dread this. Trust me, most of the bad stuff is in our minds and if you look at the positive side - he has to look at my belly to make it disappear - you will do fine! :lol: