Hello wanted 2 reach out 2 ruy Pittsburgh wanted 2 see how many of us where out there in hopes of getting support and mayb a workout buddy or 2

I am in Washington too. Going to Magee tonight for the info session and hoping to get started ASAP. What was the program like at Magee?

I am just south of Pittsburgh in Washington, PA. I had my surgery 5/12/14 with Dr McCloskey at Magee.

The program is pretty simple. You have to do 6-mos of a medically supervised diet. You'll need to keep a food/exercise log during that time which you turn in each month at the mtgs. The goal is to lose weight or at least stay weight stable. Each month you'll receive an education module to learn about better ways of taking care of yourself. You'll have lots of pre-op testing to complete which isn't too bad then the nurse practitioner submits all your results/information to the insurance company for approval. I got my approval within 1 wk but I hear it can take up to 6 wks. Six months seemed like forever when I first started the process but it goes by pretty quickly. I was in the hospital for 2 days and out of work for 2 wks. Hope this helps.

That sounds great. 6 months does seem like forever but I work full time and I'm a full time student online so I imagine it will be a busy 6 months. Did they wait till you were completely dones with the 6 month program to submit your insurance or do they do it towards the end? I am hoping to have my surgery by Christmas. I'm going to have to do a sleep study during this time too because I already use a c-pap. It's kinda scary knowing how I can't breath at night and thinking about the anastesia, but I know they know what they're doing.

Yes you have to wait until everything is completed then they'll submit it to the insurance company. If you are already using a CPAP machine that'll increase your odds of getting approval. I had to do a sleep study and now use a CPAP machine too. I understand the working full time & doing school full time. I spent many years like that. Good luck with school. That'd be great if you could have surgery by Christmas. I was done with everything & had approval in March but had to wait until May for surgery because Dr McCloskey is so busy. I was like 'but I want to do it now!' Lol It worked out for the best though. I'm down 20 lbs since surgery 42 lbs overall.

I had my surgery in February 2014 and I've lost over 125 lbs... I'm going to see a plastic surgeon on July 30th. Kinda nervous to hear what he has to say and I'm hoping what I want done won't cost too much.

Good luck!

I had rny done Aug 1, 2014 and I'm Looking to just talk about experience and complications I've had.

Have you had any complications?

Yes. I've had an infection about a week after dismissal post op. I had a JP drain and I on a TPN pump for a week. Then I was just switched to solid foods on September 16, 2014. Two days later I was rushed to the hospital. Turns out I had an internal hernia that caused bowel obstruction. I'm about 10 days post op from that just down in the dumps. I had a positive attitude. But now I just want to be healthy and healed

I'm in Pittsburgh area. Having mine Nov 20th at magee

Hey all i,live in williamsportt

Good luck. I have my 6-month checkup tomorrow at Magee. I'm down 97 lbs since starting my weight loss journey. Only 47 lbs to go.

That's great. Who is your surgeon if you Dont mind me asking?

@@kelly lynn i am going to dr bono in hazelton where are u from

I'm south of Pgh. Going to Dr McCloskey through upmc