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

I really hard about it many years ago. I have a sister who had the surgery abut 12 years ago and is still keeping most of her wieght off. A younger sister also had it about a year ago and has done well. I decided after my mothers death, whom I'd cared for and lived with my whole life, it was time to make a change. I needed to do something for myself. Try improve my life so that I could travel and work without so much pain.

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

My stay in the hospital was very good. I arrived for surgery very early on a Monday and woke in the early afternoon. By late afternoon they got me up to walk. I walked several times that day but had to have help out of the bed and in the bathroom. I am told I should have brought a wooden spoon to wrap toilet tissue around. That way I wooud have not had to ask for help. bending that first day was very difficult. The next morning I was allowed a shower and the catherter was removed. I got up every couple hours to use the bathroom and to walk up and down the hallway many times. Thsi helped relieve stiffness and made me feel better. I did sleep a lot in between these trips. I suffered from a bit of nausea, but the nurses gave me medication for it and I never got ill enough to thow up. For that first day I was able to self medicate myself and I did, but never really had bad pain. They gave me only ice chips those first two days and it was fine. I really wasn't hungary or needed to eat. The second night I was awakend several times to get up and walk. The third day I showered and dressed ad they rbought me the tiny cups we used the first weeks to measure my food in. I could have up to 8-1 oz cups of broth,jello,insure and sugar free popciles. I ordered everything and had 1-3 oz of each in combinations. I was released that third day in the afternoon after lunch

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

I really didn't have to many complaints. I suffered no complications other than soreness. I had liquid pain medication to take home with me but never used it much. Just a few times. Tylenol took care of most of the pain. The insicions itch and a couple still do when the clothing is tight. I got sore on my sides. Right side more. About 4-5 weeks after surgery I rode in a car to Utah and was sore again on my sides.

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

My family gets together in one house or another after church every Sunday. i remember the first Sunday I went to my neices and everyone was eating. I had my pea soup and some other things with me. I felt like crying and did. Snuck out of the house and went home. I cried for the loss of the ability to eat like the rest of them, even the sister who had had the surgery was able to eat more as she was a good 6 months out. I have cried a few times. it kind of isolates you a bit from your family, but as time went by and the diet restrictions relaxed it's gotten easier. Now I can handle the family get togethers with no problem. I still get sad when I have a plate of wonderful food before me and know I will have to take much of it home, but the joy of my new healthier thinner body and my ability to wear smaller nicer clothing far outweighs the loss I feel over food.

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

The Tempus group that I went through to have my surgery has a very good follow up program. We receive a binder of information to help us through the first months and beyond. There is an online yahoo support group. We share our days and our ups and down and get answers to a lot of our questions. Occassionally even the Dr.s will answer our questions. We can cal the office any time and ask questions. Some one usually will get back to you that day. We are checked on after a few days from surgery, then a month, and then three months. I go for my second three month check up next week. I believe after the first year it's6months to a year for the next checkup. Blood is drawn and they check carefully to find out what you need to maintain a healthy body. They follower their patients for 5 years and then encourage you to still come in yearly for those tests. We all are encouraged to walk 2+ miles day...I have enjoyed the follow up visits. It helps me to know I am in good health and will get supplements if I need to improve on something. Its been very important to me to have the follow-ups

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

I have 6 tiny scars on my stomach in a crcle like a misshappen clock. They are really quite small and are fading now. At first they bothered me but now I don't mind them. It is what I expected. A couple have the keloid scars and itch sometimes. But for me laproscopic surgery was wonderful.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have hit a few plateaus here and there. they lasted about 3 weeks or so and then would start to go down. I have been on this one a good 5-6 weeks and its getting harder. I try to remind myself that 101 pounds off is amazing for this amount of time. I really think I am losing inches as well as gaining muscle right now and thats casue the weight to remain at a stable place. I have increased my walking some days and my clothes are getting loser.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I work at a High school and the people there are very suportive and have given me ton's of encouragement and commpliments every day. I have had more young men and adult men hold doors open for me.