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

heard it from my husbands sister. her surgery was in october of last year, and she looks so good now. she sent me the link and i just glanced thru it all, thinking that this wasn't possible ....another gimmick and another way for me to be disappointed

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

It was conciderably better than I had first imagined. I was there 6 days. I would think the only thing one would bring was a toothbrush, reading materials, or puzzles. Watching TV got to be such a bore. My husband was there most of the time so I wasn't too bored. He was by my side the whole way. The nurses were wonderful and I quite enjoyed their help and their conversation.

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

The only thing they told me was that the doctor found a hernia which he repaired. I was told they had to insert the breathing tube down my throat because if complications I had during surgery. I woke up in recovery with only a sore throat, and sore shoulder. To this day I don't know why my shoulder hurt, but I wasn't too worried about it.

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 felt fairly well. Walked a lil slower, had to sleep with a pillow under my stomach because I sleep on my side and couldn't rest on my back. I usualy walked around with a pillow nearby, and if I had to cough, it helped to hold it up next to me. I had a gall bladder surgery 2 years before this, so I remembered what the nurses suggest then and it helped with this. The only anxiety I felt was fearing that I would eat something that would get stuck or screw up with this diet. But I am past that now, I am on the other side and happy at losing!

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

I have joined a support group through yahoo for those who have had gastric bypass surgery. Their wonderful in answering questions, and giving support, and relieving any fears I might have. I try to participate as much as I can because it was so helpful for me in the beginning to have answers or concerns answered. I sincerely hope anyone who is thinking of having this wouldn't let their insurance or relatives prevent them from feeling healthy again.

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

My scar is long, and might look bad now. But I know in time it will fade. He had to cut me longer to repair the hernia he found. I think that hernia was probably why I felt so much discomfort before surgery. To think I never knew I had one, and I don't know how many Doctors I went to before this complaining of stomach ailments.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

So far everything is going smoothly. I know I will have plateaus, and I hope I can get past them quickly. Lord willing!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes and no. Mostly they treat me the same, except they know I can't eat much and try to accomodate me in that area. Though sometimes my huni still buys me something sweet to eat, and then when I tell him I can't eat that anymore, he apologizes and says he forget. It all takes time to get use to, but I am strong and know I won't allow anything to sobatage my goals.