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

I found out through my primary care Physician. I was quite put out that he thought I was so lost and incapable of taking care of things myself that he would suggest it. I had just finished Opti-Fast for the second time and found the weight starting to come back on. I was still hoping to be able to control it.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was not living a full and productive life. I was in pain constantly. I was unhappy.

What fears did you have about having complications or even dying from from the surgery, and what would you tell other people having the same fears now?

This has to be a personal choice. Only I could make the choice to take such a big risk. I didn't think it was fair to burden someone else in case something happened to me. I was afraid, but my choice was rather simple to me. I could either die from the surgery or die from the weight a slower more agonizing death. Not much of a difficult decision for me. I tell people to search their soul. Go with their gut feeling. No one should make the decision for them. I do not recommend this surgery. I only give people imformation for them to make a better and more informed choice.

How did your family and friends react to your decision? Would you have communicated anything differently if you could now? How supportive were they after your surgery?

They were very supportive.

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

I was in the hospital for four days. I would have gone home in three, but because I lived a distance the Doctor felt more comfortable keeping me one more day. All went well while I was there, although I did have one nurse that was quite annoyed because my IV was constantly going off. It had been placeed in a very sensitive area and no matter what I did it just kept going off. She took it as if I was personally trying to make her day miserable. I took a nightgown that snaped down the front. Actually, it was a robe and gown and I used the robe. It worked wonderfuly. I took the normal toiletries, but most were provided by the hospital. I took a book and puzzle book, but didn't use either because of a headache.

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

Just a headache. It did eventually go away after I got home. I just used Tylenol and ice. I just waited it out. I didn't want to used any of the pain killers that were sent home for me. I don't like to take them, since I really like being in total control.

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

Happy and afraid. I was lucky that I had the Christmas Holiday to take away some of the anxiety. I can't say that I ever came to a great peace of mind. I was nervous right up to the operation, but I knew that this was my choice and it was what I needed to do if I wanted a chance for a future. I also went online and emiled someone who really helped me put some of the horror storied I had been hearing into perspective. She just reminded me of the stories that one hears when pregnant. It really helped. I had a friend that I met through my primary care Doctor that I had been calling that was very positive. She had also had her surgery done by the same Dr. I was using. Support helps. Family support helps.

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

My surgeon suitures his open patients. The scar is about 5 1/2 inches long. No lumps or bumps just straight under my breast bone to almost my navel. It is better then what I had expected. I have a gall bladder scar that was done in 1987 that is much worse.