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

One of my girlfriends had the surgery about two years ago after seeing her go from 352 pounds to a slender 175 i was interested. She told me about the surgery and i was like you went through all that to get skinny i dont know if i want to have surgery. For me surgery was a big deal i never had any surgery except oral. I had natural childbirth so stomach surgery was not an option at the time. But after going to the doctor and she increasing my Hig Blood pressure meds i knew something had to be done and fast. I consulted with my med doctor and she didnt quite agree with me unitl i started talking to her about the surgery. She them realized i had done my research and i was serious.

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

The stay in the hospital was great the nurses were nice , they just didnt expect me to get out of bed so quickly and walk around. I stayed in the hospital for two days i had the surgery on tues Sept 21 2004 AND I CAME HOME THURSDAY THE SAME WEEK. WELL SINCE I WAS THERE FOR SUCH A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME I ONLY SLEPT I DIDINT EVEN ORDER THE TV. I HAD A PHONE BUT HATED TALKIN ON IT I JUST WANTED TO REST.

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

MY SURGERY WENT PERFECT NOT ON COMPLACTION

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 VERY EMOTIONAL WHEN IT CAME TO THE SUBJECT OF FOOD. I HAD TO COOK FOR MY FAMILY AND NOT BE ABLE TOO EAT WHAT THEY WERE. I WAS ON THE LIQUID DIET FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS AND I WAS SLOWLY LOSING MY COOL. I QUWESTIONED MYSELF ON NUMEROUS OCCAISIONS AS TOO WHY I HAD GONE THROUGH WITH THE DAMN SURGERY. I WISH I COULD REVERSE THIS .MY SIDE WAS HURTING WORSE THAN EVER. SINCE I HAD FIVE SMALL INCISIONS INSTEAD OF THE OPEN ONLY ONE HURST WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE.

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

I DONT HAVE A SUPPORT GROUP OR PROGRAM I KNOW THAT I SHOULD BUT ITS NOT IN MY SCHDULE RIGHT NOW. I BELIEVE ITS IMPORTANT IF YOU FEEL THE URGE TO OVER EAT OR YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE ON THE DEEP END. CALL SOMEONE WHO YOU KNOW HAD THE SURGERY AND ASK THEM IS THIS FEELING NORMAL

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

I HAD LAPSCORPIC GASTRIC BYPASS SO I HAVE FIVE SMLL INCISIONS AND THEY HAVE ALMOST DISAPPERED

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

NONE

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

YES I USED TO WALK BY THIS GUY EVERY MORNING TO GO TO SCHOOL AND HE NEVER PAID ANY ATTENTION TOO ME UNITL I LOST ABOUT 25 POUNDS THEN I BECAME GOOD MORNING SWEETY