I did not mean to suggest Dr. McGinn as a possible surgeon to fix her problem. I only brought up the concept of a consultation well in advance of the date of surgery for anyone contemplating GCS.
Many of the difficulties I've heard about concerning GCS might have been avoided entirely if consultations had been done in this manner, as opposed to the last minute. What is any patient supposed to say when they have surgery scheduled for the next day and the Dr. says, "Oh, I don't know about this"
? I'm certain that many Drs. might also perform some surgeries that they might otherwise decline to perform in these same situations.
I can say without hesitation that Dr. McGinn is very clear right from the get-go regarding dilating 5 times a day, every day for the first 8 weeks. At that point, the hard part is over (yeah, right), then it's only 3 times a day for weeks 9 through 24, then once every day without fail until a full year has passed. That's dilating 805 times in that first year. I know of no other surgeon who requires this much maintenance on the part of their patients.
Most McGinn Girls will swear by her allegiance to her patients and her deep, caring attitude for them. Yet, on the other hand, I also hear of potential patients who say that she barely would give them the time of day and was virtually rude to them. I believe that the patient's maturity level or attitude toward this rigorous schedule and her other incredibly tough demands (yes, dilating so often is only one of her demands, there are many others) affects what she says and does.
She looked me in the eye in our consultation and told me that she's all military in her approach and if I wasn't ready to follow all of her orders without question, that I should walk out her door and forget about hiring her. I told her that was the reason I was there. I wanted a surgeon who would do that. I was not there to dilly dally around...
This procedure is not for the faint of heart. It's not a little lark adventure. It is a life-altering challenge of your spirit. It is like the challenge of climbing a mountain. It separates out those who are determined and have the guts to see it through from those who are not. Far too many people think they want this, when the truth is they lack the courage, conviction and fortitude to do it. Why else would I hear so many stories directly from the surgeons themselves about patients who left for home as soon as they could walk to a plane after surgery? Clearly, these unfortunate people found out too late that they were not ready for the pain and discomfort of the whole thing. They wanted to have surgery Monday and go home and ride a cowboy on Saturday night.
I provide this information for anyone and everyone contemplating this procedure. The United States Armed Forces has different branches of special forces units, such as the Army Rangers or the Navy Seals. If you ask any of the trainers of a new class how many of these new applicants will graduate from the training, they'll give you a look of steel and reply, "as many as want to". That training takes you to the edge and tests your will.
I would never liken GCS to that training, for that would be disrespectful. But, I will say the concept is somewhat similar. GCS itself, the immediate pain from the operation and the subsequent difficulties and pain that must be overcome, both physical and emotional, will separate those who really and truly want it with all their heart from those who don't.
I would expect little disagreement from you or most other successful post-op women who've climbed the mountain themselves. It truly separates the women from the boys.
