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

I read an article in a magazine. I called the girl who had written the article and we became friends. Unfortunately, she died two years after we met from complications from her WLS. She did not take care of herself and lost the battle. I had the VBG and then I heard a friend of mine, many years later, talking about having a gastric bypass. I began to research it all over again and decided this was the best thing for me.

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

My stay in the hospital was wonderful. I was expecting it to be awful as when you are fat and having WLS I believe people tend to look down on you. I could not have asked for better care or better nurses. I was in the hospital 4 days. I didn't take much. Toothbrush and toothpaste,slippers, CARMEX, magazines, and pictures of my children. I didn't need anything else. Oh, loose clothes to come home in!

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

The worst thing about my surgery was that being a revision, I had to have a tube which was attached to my old stomach and came out of my side. It was very painful at first but as the days went by it got easier. I was supposed to have it for a month but the doctor saw that I was doing okay and he let me take it out after only two weeks. What a relief! No other complications!

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 very anxious. I had to wait 5 months. It was agony but as the time approached, I got really nervous. I didn't have time to cope with any anxiety. My pre-op was on March 30 with a surgery date set for April 5. I was all prepared. Had my menu mapped out all the way to April 3. Doctor shocked me at my appointment by saying he was going to do my surgery on April 1. No time to be anxious. Just went out and ate things I loved all day that day and the next day was laxative day!

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

My support group comes from all the wonderful people I have met on obesityhelp.com. I truly feel like I have a new family. It feels so good to be able to talk to people who have gone through exactly what I have and are sympathetic. I also have a best friend who is about to go through the surgery. She will be my main support.

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

My scar from my first surgery was awful. They took the staples out to quickly and the scar spread. It looked like I had been gutted! It was so embarrassing. My doctor fixed my scar and now it is a thin 7" scar. Looks wonderful to me. It is my reminder of all I have been through to lead a normal and healthy life.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

It has just been two weeks. I try not to weigh everyday but it is hard. I have lost 17 pounds so far. When I hit a plateau, I will bump up my exercise a notch. That is the key- water and exercise!!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I treat myself differently and that's all that matters to me. I am beginning to love myself for once in my life.