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

I was scared at first, but worked up the courage to call them and began asking questions and talking to patients that had already had the procedure done. I decided that this would be the best route for me to help me keep the weight off forever.

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

I was in Mesquite Community Hospital for 5 days. The nurses were very nice and one was kind enough to pray with me before I went into the OR for surgery. I would recommend patients bring several of their own pillows from home, toothbrush, facial cleanser, powder, and hair brush and comb.

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

I had one bout of heart palpatations three weeks after surgery. They went away and I have not had them since.

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 pretty good. I went through the grieving process, wishing I could eat the foods that help put the weight on to begin with, but I got over it. I walked in the evenings when I started to feel anxious and it really seemed to help. I would leave the room when food commercials came on and would not sit at the table with my family for the first few weeks until I started eating food.

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

Support Groups are very important. They help to keep you focused when you start to lose interest or get frusterated. Our support group is small, but anyone is welcome to attend that is interested in, has questions about, or has had the surgery. If you live in the Mesquite, Texas area and would like to join us in a support group meeting, come on over. Our meetings are held the second Tuesday of every month at Luby's Cafeteria located at 3301 Gus Thomasson, Mesquite, TX 75150, at 6:30pm. We meet in the entry hallway.

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

My scar goes from the bottom of my brestbone to about 2 inches above my naval. It is shrinking and fading. It is not as bad as I expected it to be.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have hit several plateaus since surgery. I try to increase my exercise and decrease calories and increase protein when I hit one.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. People do not look at me the same now. People that have not seen me in a few months do not recognize me.