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

I read about VBG in a national newspaper under the title of 'Tied Tums' that in Dundee this new miraculous operation was being performed. I pleaded with my GP to see if I could be put forward for surgery. She agreed to write to them and see what would happen.

Describe your experience with getting insurance approval for surgery. What advice, if any, do you have for other people in this stage?

Fortunately in Britain you don't need to get medical insurance for surgery - Yet!!

What was your first visit with your surgeon like? How can people get the most out of this meeting?

It was very scary. But when I got my appointment through I decided to write a letter explaining about myself. Including a full medical history and what I needed to know. I would suggest that anyone who is going to meet their surgeon for the first time should write down any questions you may have.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The first hospital that accepted me for surgery withdrew theeir offer of surgery, so I had to look around for another. I was lucky to find Mr McIntyre at Edinburgh's Western General Hospital. The reason I went ahead with the surgery is that it was a last resort. I haad tried everything else and nothing worked so I need external help.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

In Dundee the laproscopic version was being done but the only procedure which was on offer in Edinburgh was Open Vertical Banded Gastroscopy.

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?

I was so scared of dying from the procedure or from complications but if this is the only way to get down in weight then go for it! Ask your surgeon what his/her success rate is. Try and find a support group and go and find out for yourself.

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?

My best friend didn't want me to get the surgery done as she was scared of losing me! But after meeting Mr McIntyre she came round to my way of thinking. She has been very supportive even when I am craving food!!

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

It was very scary, but my surgeon tried to organise female only staff when it came to me. I was in for 10 days but had to go back in because of an wound infection and was in for a further 5 days. I took in a notebook,pen, personal cassette player with a tape made by my best friend and a photo of my friend and my dog

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

I had a wound infection I guess I had to take it easy until the 14 weeks it took for it to clear up. I now have a wound hernia which has grown quite quickly and I think I'll have to get it dealt with as it is affecting my thinking about losing weight.

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 lucky that my best friend was there to help and to talk to. We talked about almost nothing else apart from the surgery, what might happen, what it would be like after the surgery. I couldn't wait to get it over & done with. To start the rest of my life!!

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

I found it very frustrating not being able to do things for myself and having to rely on others for the simplest things. If you do get an infection don't expect it to disappear overnight, be prepared to take it easy.

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

When travelling to Dundee it was almost a full days outing. But Edinburgh is only 1/2 an hours journey.

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 have been able to eat Cereal with milk, yogurts, puddings, soups, chocolate!!, wotsit crisps, ice cream a little pasta. I have tried bread and some meats but they make me sick so they are definately out of bounds!! I am finding that I am reluctant to try new foods in case I am sick! I am able to eat a little bit more but why should I rush to get onto foods again, I have the rest of my life to eat these kinds of things - although I must admit I find eating the same things a bit tedious.

What was your actvity level in the days and weeks after surgery?

What activity level? Over the past month my energy level has gone up slightly and I am looking forward to getting into the swimming pool at the end of this week!! We are going to join a community aquarobics class, swimming and Line Dance classes too. We have invested in bicycles although the weather hasn't been bike friendly!!

What vitamins and/or dietary supplements have you taken since your surgery?

I am taking 3 Ketovite vitamin tablets a day and have just started a course of zinc capsules

What side effects (nausea, vomiting, sleep disturbace, dumping, hair loss etc.) were worse for you? For how long after surgery did they persist? How did you cope with them?

I hate the feeling of nausea and the vomiting, my sleep hasn't been too good anyway so there is no changes there. I don't think I have experienced dumping or maybe I have but haven't put a name to it. My hair has got very thin. I wanted the surgery so any side effects I will have to accept

What was the worst part about the entire bariatric surgery process?

Having the catheter in and getting home for a night then having to go back in!

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

There is a support group where we meet in the cafe in a large shopping centre mall. I find it good but I think there could be more information available. I think for the person who is on the waiting list or searching for added help should go to it. To meet people in the varying stages is so important

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

The scar looks ugly due to the infection but seemingly it will be dealt with when I get the further surgery. When the surgeon or people in the support group talk about infection I certainly didn't expect this

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

My weight seems to have plateaued but once I start exercising I hope it'll start coming off again.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet