I'd do it again without a moment's hesitation. It has been the best thing that could have happened to me. I had my surgery on 6/30/03, about 10 weeks ago. I've lost 52 pounds which is exactly 50% of what the doctor expected I would lose in total. I had open RNY and was off from work for two weeks. I work out of my house doing transcription. I can work my own hours and don't have to drive anywhere. I just took it at a slow pace. My husband tells me I experienced a lot of pain while in the hospital. I have no memory of it at all and he says it was managed well with medication. When I came home I was on liquid vicodine which I used a couple of times a day for another week. Then the pain pretty much gone with the exception of when I twisted or turned the wrong way or one of our labs jumped on my belly. I was able to start taking long walks as soon as I got home from the hospital. Other than lifting, the doctor didn't put any restrictions on me. The only reason it was somewhat difficult to do was that I got fatigued very quickly. In fact, up until this week, I felt exhausted a lot of the time. But this week, I think the burst of energy you will read about on this site finally hit me and I can't sit still. As far as malabsorption, I have not had the easiest time re-introducing foods. I haven't been able to tolerate meat at all yet. My doctor says that's not uncommon. But I use protein shakes for two to three meals each day and then have cheese and dairy for the remainder. It's actually kind of nice since while obese, cheese was pretty much off limits. Although many people on here have said that their pouches seem practically limitless, mine is very touchy and only allows me to eat about five to six spoonsful using a baby spoon. Then, if I push for more, I generally am sorry I did. I attend a monthly support group meeting, which is mandatory with the practice that did my surgery. You must attend for a minimum of a year. It's fun and nice to be with people who are experiencing what you are. I frequently come away with new ideas. The worst things about surgery? The worry ahead of time and waiting so long before getting it done. The best thing about surgery? Feeling and looking better than I have in years.

I will let you know. My surgery is in 3 days (Sept 11). So far I have gotten many explanations from people that have gone through it. Some say that there is no pain at all, some say that the first 3 days are tough, others say that it was hell. I don't know. I suppose that it is different with each person. I do know one thing though, what will life be like in the next 10 or 20 years if you don't get this surgery? Statistics say that this procedure has a 80% sucess rate at keeping off the pounds. Diets have less than 5%, and an even lower percentage after 5 years. The risk rate is about 1 out of 200 or about 0.5% . Again, what about the risk rate if you don't have the surgery? I have diabetes and high blood pressure. The meds that I am taking are doing an ok job of keeping them both down. But my energy and comfort level is low. I want to do things, and have to sit down after a couple hours to rest. Anyway I don't mean to ramble, but I am also saying these very things to myself. My surgery is about 60 hours away and I do have a case of the jitters. So, I need to keep these same facts in mind and just get it over with and start my new life. --Tom Niderost, Jacksonville, Florida

Sonya, Good luck w/ your surgery. We will be sending prayers your way. Hugs. Marie

i am 28yrs old with three beautiful daughters 4,5,7 and i have bad asthma and i have been on steriods for my asthma for 18yrs and i need i be here to see my kids grow up. i want to play with them. i have a supportive husband and my family is very supportive.

I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM OTHER PEOPLE IN S.C. THAT HAS OR IS PLANING TO HAVE THE SURGERY.