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

I first learned about the surgery though a lady that brought CMAs into the office where I work at. She had the surgery and once we seen her losing so much weight and she told us what she did... I was hooked for that moment. I still took over a year to decide to have it done myself, tho.

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

My stay in the hosptial was very nice. I had a private room and my husband stayed with me the entire time. I was there from Friday a.m. to Sunday a.m., 2 days Most improtant things I brought was 2 stuffed animals... each one belonged to one of my kids, told my husband as soon as they brought me back to my room to put my stuffed animals in the bed with me, and he did... I would wake up and see them and think of my kids....

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

I woke up in the hospital with no pain after surgery... Felt like I had been dropped kicked in the tummy, but there is so much of a difference between pain and soreness. I did develope 4 ulcers 5 weeks out... OH THOSE WERE HORRIBLE.... I was sick for 2 weeks and couldnt eat... only drink and that made me sick too.... Ive never been so sick in my life...... I took Nexium once a day for 2 months and Carafate four times a day for a month... Feeling much better now... Thank God

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 found myself sooo tired and sooooo drained. I was so tired from doing nothing. I just kept thinking, it has to get better than this... AND IT DID.....

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

I use this web site. www.obesityhelp.com I dont think it could get any better than this... I have made sooooooooooo many friends on this site, and if I need a pep talk or a shoulder to cry on... I have friends from here that I can call or they call me... I love the speical friends I have made here...

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

I have 6 tiny holes..... Its what I did expect....

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have plateaued for about 2-3 weeks twice so far.... I just tryed to be happy with my weight loss I had, and to remember that this dang plateau too would pass....

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yessssssssssssssssssssssss.....