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

The day I decided to look into the surgery I was at the beauty shop and the hairdresser had, had the surgery just 6 months prior. I had known her for years and seen her battle her weight just like myself. She encouraged me to go see Dr. Warnock.

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

I can't say I had complications but as I came too, I was very sick to my stomach, even though I had a stomach pump, I heaved and that caused the blood to come up into my mouth, which made it look like I was bleeding out, but I wasn't. I have had a scope run because of a possible ulcer but it wasn't an ulcer, only an irritation of the stomach lining. The dr. gave me a medicine and it cleared up very fast.

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 very lucky, I didn't have the depression a lot of people have. I was so excited, I could hardly believe the loss of weight. I kept myself busy. Twelve days after surgery I traveled to Georgia to see my son graduate basic training. I had permission from Dr. Warnock, he told me to stop and get out of the car every 150 miles so I could walk around. I did and I didn't have any trouble with the trip. I enjoyed it so much.

Describe your first few weeks home from the hospital. What should people expect from this period?

I did so well, I looked for things to do. I hadn't worked outside the home in many years, so I decided to look for work. I took a substitute position at the local school and it has become a full time position. I couldn't have done this before the weight loss. I was only 6 weeks out of surgery when I started. I had so much energy, I had to use it some way. With each few pounds I lost I felt better and better, I was also walking 3 miles a day. That is one of the requirement by Dr. Warnock.

How far did you travel to have your surgery? (If far, how did this affect your aftercare?)

I live in Ok. and I traveled to Tx. to have surgery, about an hour from home. After surgery I was asked to stay at a local guest house for one day after dismissal from the hospital.

Please describe in detail what things you could and couldn't eat in the weeks and months following surgery. What foods have been off limits? Please explain how your dietary tolerance changed week-by-week, and then month-by-month since surgery.

I had trouble with cold drinks, I could only drink hot liquids for a period of time. At first I ate mostly peanut butter crackers. I tried baby food but that didn't work, mashed potatoes were good. I also enjoyed instant chicken soup, the kind without noodles. I didn't have to much trouble with food but there was a time I ate spaghetti, NEVER AGAIN. I still have a low tolerance for milk products. There are still times meat gets stuck going down if I'm not very careful.

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

My scar is a lot more narrow than I thought it would be. It is a small white line. I also have the tummy tuck scar and that goes from hip to hip. It doesn't bother me. I was told I wouldn't have a belly button after the surgery but it looks like I have one because of a previous surgery that left a small scar on my side, that was shifted to the front in the same place a belly button would be.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People are so much more friendly now. It makes me sad to see how our society puts so much into looks. We are always taught it is what is on the inside that counts but that really isn't how we react. I can go out in public now and I don't get rude comments and jokes made at my expense.