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

I found out about surgery on the internet. It was scary. I was scared I would die. With my bad luck if anyone was going to die it would be me. I was impressed with the before and after pictures and dreamed about what it would be like to actually lose all of my excess weight. Sounded too good to be true...to easy.

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

Ask many questions. Don't be scared to ask those questions you are wondering

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Honestly? I was soo obese I was having great difficulties in whiping after a bowel movement. My husband had to assist in my bathing because I couldn't reach everywhere. My two young children were a big help in my discission to have the surgery. I didn't have the energy to be a good mom.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The VBG seemed less scary.

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 petrified that I was going to die, or bust open staples or something. You won't die! The doctors and staff at the hospitals know what they're doing. Most of these doctors do so many obesity surgerys, they can probably do it with their eyes closed.

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 family was very supportive and excited for me to start my new life. And it is a new life.

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 5 days. Bring what the hospital tells you. I brought cards and paper and pens etc. but you're pretty drugged out because of pain. Sleep and rest is the best. You don't have time to do anything basically. You are tired and groggy and just want to sleep. Although it is important to get as mobile as the nurses will allow you. The faster you get around and about the better too.

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

Complications during surgery, yes. They had to incubate me while I was still awake because I was so morbidly obese. That was scary. Something went wrong there. Dr. Joffe said later, that he thought I was a gonner. Nice to know, eh? I had total faith in him and his medical team that assisted him. Afterwards, I ended up getting my staples out too early and I went to stand up one day and the whold incision busted wide open. I had to get new ones put in...but no biggy. Everything was fine.

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 definately anxious about it. I ate everything in sight. I figured that soon I wouldn't be able to enjoy that anymore so I ate it. Go big or stay home is the saying. I ate big and I loved it. Enjoy your food before surgery. Don't take it for granted. Just a basic grilled cheese sandwhich or a hot dog. No big deal before surgery. But after, knowing that there is no way you can eat it without barfing. After surgery because I lost my great love-FOOD, I felt like my life was over. My enjoyment of life was gone. It felt like I lost my best friend. I coped because of lots of encouragement. Just go on-line and look at the before and after photos, that will be you one day. Just remember "IT DOES GET BETTER"

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

I was very soar. I couldn't sleep comfortably lying down in a bed. I had to sleep in a lazy boy chair. I was depressed and cranky. Every little pain that felt weird scared me that something ws wrong, but I was fine.

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

2 hours. I neglected my aftercare very badly. I would NOT recommend that.

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 can't eat any kind of meat without vomitting. Any deep fried or battered foods are out of the question. Fatty and sugary stuff--NO WAY

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

no activity level. I was basically not very mobile the first 8 weeks after surgery

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?

Vomitting is my worst side effect. It's hard to cope with that. Just don't over eat

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

The vomitting.

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

Unfortunately, I live a great distance away from where I had my surgery so I didn't have the benefits of having any support group other than my best friend who had also had the surgery a bit before me. We were each other's support. It is so important too, to have the support and encouragement of your family and friends. And that I did have. Thank God. They were all great.

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

My scar is a foot long down the centre of my belly. It feels and looks like a big long worm. The colour does fade to a light light pale pink colour.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

My weight loss has slowed down in regards to the fact that no more is just gonna fall off. I know that I will have to help the rest off with proper exercise. I still feel great. 162 pounds gone is alot.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes at times, not negatively though. My husband compliments me everyday on how great I am looking. He says how proud he is of me. people know I'm not that house hermit anymore and asks me out to do stuff that I normally wouldn't have. Like camping, and dances etc.