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

My mother was the first to tell me about it, and then eventually we found out a couple of people had this done that live around me so we talked to them and then they had told me about this site so we researched as much as we could and talked to the doctor and no matter what I thought this would be the best thing for me to do and no one was gonna change my mind

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

My stay in the hospital was very good, the nurses were very nice and attended to every need that I had. I had my surgery on 7-30-02 and i was out of the hopsital 8-1-02 so I was fortunate I was only in there for about 48 hours most people are in there for about a 5-7days. One thing I was impressed was the day I had my surgery that same night there was a tornado that came through the town. I was impressed about how they handled everything, all patients had to wait in the hallway until it was over. And I said there was no way that I was goin to get up out of bed to do anything that day with tubes done my nose and stuff but they kept trying to tell me all the positive things about while I should get out of bed and was..It makes you heal faster..Bring your own robe to wear and maybe a fan. cause it does get pretty hot in there sometimes

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

I had no complications so far with this surgery, my only problem now that im home and only being out for about a week, I'm scared to drink anything, I always think im gonna throw up or something but I think its all in my head. but it will only get better i think

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

After I got my surgery date I was really excited, and suprisingly I never felt nervous at all. which is really crazy for me.

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

Well I have people that live by me that have had this surgery done so I can talk to them as well as talk to people on here if I have questions

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

Well I didnt have to have open surgery so I have 1 large scar about 3 inches long on my right side and all the rest are only like an inch all total I have 6

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Well it's only been about 3 weeks so far so I havent had any plateaus yet

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes, I've gotten alot of compliments already and its just the beginning and also they are more careful around me