How did you first find out about bariatric surgery and what were your initial impressions of it?

I have a friend (Randy) who had this done about 4 years ago, he was opened up, not laproscopic like I had and he told me about it, at the time I thought "No Way!" But as I found more & more people that had had this procedure and Dr. Rohrer, the more I wanted to do it!!!

What was your stay in the hospital like? How long where you there? What things are most important to bring?

My hospital stay was ok, my back hurt for over 2 weeks because of the bed I was in and I only laid on my back, I probably should have asked for an eggshell mattress..The staff were all great, my call light was answered very promptly, the RN's and CNA's were very good and I am sure I wasn't all that cheery as I felt miserable. My pain wasn't all that bad & I had a morphine pump that I could use every 15 minutes or so, I even was impressed with the nursing students that came in and helped me, they are going to make fine nurses! I stayed in the hospital 2 1/2 days. My surgery was on Monday morning, I was the 1st case, then I went home Wednesday afternoon. I didn't even need any pain meds when I got home, just discomfort when trying to sleep.

Did you have any complications from the surgery? If so, how did you deal with them?

About the only post-op problems I had was that I was nauseated for 7 weeks. I still have a little nausea but not too bad now...About the only thing Dr. Rohrer told me was to push fluids and make sure I got enough protein.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

I had nausea almost all the time...made it very hard to eat or even drink anything. I also felt miserable for the 1st 10 days until I finally started sleeping good.

What aftercare support group/program do you have? How helpful/important is this?

I am hoping to go to a Gastric Bypass support group where I work. (Benefis East), headed up by Cody Davenport who has had this procedure and is an OR nurse. They meet once a month.

What is your scar like? Is this what you expected?

I have 5 scars. Four small ones and one right in the middle right above my belly button, about 3 1/2 inches long, they aren't bad at all..Actually I thought there would be more scarring but this isn't as bad as I thought it would be.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am 10 weeks post op and have had one small plateau so far, last week...

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, I have alot of people smiling and telling me how great I look and that I am getting slim. Not yet, as I have only lost 67lbs. After I reach the 100 lb mark, then I'll feel like I've accomplished something.