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

My aunt had it done about 25 years ago and I can remember her barely being able to eat one piece of shrimp.......now she wieghs about 350lbs. My mom had it done about 4 years ago and she has ups and downs, but overall it has been a positive experience for her. I do remember thinking it was a "quick-fix" for her, but I also lived 1000 miles away and didn't see her daily struggles.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My kids were the deciding factor in all of this. I was tired of being labeled as fat and wanted to be able to be around for them.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The AF only offers one procedure...the roux-n-Y, at this time. There wasn't much of a decision.

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?

Never even thought about complications or dying from the surgery. But after my many complications......leak, 3 surgeries, pneumonia(on a ventilator for a week), in ICU for 10 days. I was even given Last Rights by the priest as I went to surgery for the 3rd time. I tell people not to take ANYTHING for granted!

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?

I was lucky to have the support of my family and friends. It played a big part in the whole process. I do not how I would have made it through without them.

How did your employer/supervisor react to your decision? What did you tell him/her? How long were you out of work?

My boss was very positive with the whole process. She had a close friend that went through it a few years ago. I originally intended to miss two weeks of work, but it ended up being six weeks.

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

I was at Eglin AFB regional Medical Center in Fort Walton Beach, FL. I was there for 15 days, in ICU for 10 of those days. I wish I had brought more underwear, you never know what kind of accidents you will have.

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

MANY complications. Started with a leak in my new pouch, the nurses were afraid to call the surgeon because my chart said there might be a little blood, (there was A LOT of blood). My mom, who is an RN, came in and demanded they call the surgeon. I aspirated some blood during all this and got pnuemonia. The second day, I was so bloated from the fluid and air they needed to do the 2nd laproscopic surgery they had to cut me open (6 inches) and inserted a feeding tube while they were in there. I was then on the ventilator for 7 days due to the pneumonia. Many IV and blood transfusions later, I was out of ICU. Beofre I left the hospital, my big incision "popped" open and was oozing goo, so that was packed and antibiotic'd for 6 weeks. About the time that healed up, my feeding site abcessed and more goo. That was packed for 6 weeks. Then the leg muscle pain started. I literally could only shuffle from the bed to the potty and back. From the waist down, it was incredible pain. I saw everone that would see me including the ER doc, but no one seemed to know what was going on. I had a CT done of my belly and had a reaction to the dye. While in the ER I got steriods for the hives and that magically cured the pain. It may have been a coincidence, but I was cured from then on.

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 so excited about getting thin. I ate everything in site to prepare for not being able to eat afterwards.

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

I was unable to do much more than lie on the couch. I was depressed and anxious. I had the "why me?" cry at least once a day. But I had many complications.

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

Only about 10 minutes.

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

Very little.

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?

My hair continues to thin daily. I dumped a few times until I learned exactly what to avoid. Now I am 8 months out and know more about what to avoid. The only thing I can do when I have a problem is sleep it off.

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

The complications. Each by themself were not awful but they all piled up on top of each other at the same time.

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

After 8 months, my lappy scars are almost fleshtone, not any worse than a stretch mark, but my 6 inch incision is red and HUGE.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

At about 6 months I plateaued then I noticed I would go a couple of weeks without a loss then drop about 2 more pounds quickly.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Guys look at me.