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

An ex-coworker of mine had ait and loss a significant amount of weight in a short time. I told another friend about it and the said that it was dangerous and that I should not have the surgery. I never spoke of it again to anyone until I decided to have the surgery.

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

I stayed at Sentera Leigh Hospital. the staff there was execellent. They where very compassionate and helpful. I was there for about 3 days. The most important thing to bring are your slipper to walk around. You have to walk every hour. Everything else was supplied to you.

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

About week after surgery i started to vomit. I vomited so much that I was readmitted to the hospital for dehydration. I stayed another week and was released once I could keep food down. I started to vomit after I had citrucel. It did not set well in my new stomach. I was told that would help me have a bowel movement. I was worried abouthtat because I had nothad one all week. Now in hind sight I was not eatting enough to have a bowel movement.

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 was so excited because it happened really quickly for me once I decided on a doctor. I did not feel any anxiety because I kenw it was the right thing for me to do.

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

I sometimes go to my doctors support group. I go as I need to go and if I have any questions. It has been helpful that his office offers them. I don't use them as much as I should but It is good to know that they are there if I need them.

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

My scar does not seem to be any longer that 3 inches long. I actually expected it to be a lot longer. I am happy with it. When I get to m6y goal weight Iknwo that I could wear a half shirt(not that I would) Just knowing that I could makes me feel good.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I do notice some change with people. They keep telling me how much weight I should allow myself to loos because i would not look good if I loss to much weight. I think that family and friends was comfortable with me being fat. I am now taking htem out of htere comfort zone. I have realized that that is there problem.