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

my cousin who was scheduled to have it done told me to ask my doctor about it and i liked the idea so made my appointment with the hospital

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

I was in surgery from 11:30am on October 18,1999 my surgery began I was in surgery about four hours I was awoken by my surgeron who told me me that my surgery went great I wanted to hug him. I was kept in recovery for the nite then at six am I was moved to ICU they gave me a sponge bath then most of the day I just slept I had a hard time cause I was on a cpap at nite but had to be put on a nasal cannula and i kept taking it off so they did have to restrain me I was kept in ICU from tues am until wed late afternoon when i was moved to the pcu floor i did very well there and was ready to go home on thursday afternoon after going thru testing for blood clots due to my pulse rate being so high but all checked out ok and I was released on thursday afternoon.

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

the only problem i had was with my oxygen level and my pulse rate I was tested in many ways to prove out any heart problems or blood clots other then that all went well

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 have been post op for two weeks and every day gets better but i also face new obstacles daily but i do well getting by them I did have what they call dumping syndrome yesterday but I survived and you will too just work hard at it and watch the weight burn off and feel how much better you feel. You will not want to eat thats what i find just follow the diet and rules you will do great

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

i see my doctors every three weeks I am currently seeking a local counslor to help me and oversee my weight loss from a local aspect and i am searching for folks locally to talk to

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

i have a twelve inch cut from my nipple line to my belly button two weeks post op it is leaking a bit in two spots but healing nicely i will have a big scar but it is well worth it

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have not experienced any yet

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

i havent been out much but people love what they see with the new me