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

I HAD HEARD ABOUT IT A LITTLE THRU MAGAZINE ARTICLES. MY NEIGHBOR HAD THE SURGERY AND ANOTHER NEIGHBOR TOLD ME ABOUT IT. SHE LOST ALOT OF WEIGHT AND LOOKED GOOD.

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

I STAYED 3 DAYS IN THE HOSPITAL. THE HOSPITAL WAS EXCELLENT IN DEALING WITH OBESE PATIENTS. I WOULD RATE THE STAY THERE A 9. I WAS NOT ALLOWED TO SHOWER SO THOSE ITEMS WERE NOT NECESSARY. I THINK THE MAIN THINGS TO BRING ARE COMFORTABLE PJS AND SLIPPER SOCKS. EVERYTHING ELSE I NEEDED WAS PROVIDED BY THE HOSPITAL. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE VERY LOOSE FITTING CLOTHES AND SHOES TO GO HOME IN. MY FEET WERE SWOLLEN AND I COULD NOT GET MY SNEAKERS ON. YOUR STOMACH WILL BE FILLED WITH GAS AND BLOATED FOR A GOOD WEEK. DEMAND PAIN MEDS IF YOU NEED THEM. THE NURSES WILL NOT GIVE YOU ANY UNLESS YOU ASK.

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

THE ONLY COMPLICATION WAS AN ACTIVE ULCER DEVELOPED ABOUT 3 MONTHS AFTER SURGERY. NOTHING ELSE.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

THE SCARIEST THING FOR ME WAS THAT I THOUGHT THAT THIS WASNT GOING TO WORK EITHER. I WOULD BE THE ONE PERSON WHO DID NOT LOSE WEIGHT. BOY WAS I WRONG. USE YOUR SUPPORT GROUP AND REAL FRIENDS TO TALK ABOUT YOUR FEELINGS. I THOUGHT THAT I HAD MADE A MISTAKE SEVERAL TIMES DURING MY JOURNEY. MY BEST FRIEND WAS ALWAYS THERE FOR ME. THERE WERE TIMES WHEN I REALLY WANTED TO EAT LIKE EVERYONE ELSE BUT COULDNT. THOSE TIMES WERE TOUGH. HANG IN THERE BECAUSE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO EAT JUST ABOUT ANYTHING THAT YOU CAN TOLERATE. I HAD NO PROBLEM WITH ANY FOOD EXCEPT PORK. I STILL DO NOT EAT PORK. I CAN EAT CHOCOLATE AND ICE CREAM WITHOUT ANY DUMPING. I AM FORTUNATE.

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

MY SUPPORT GROUP IS LIGHTER REFLECTIONS WITH DR BROLINS GROUP AND A NEW YOU WITH DR MEHTAS GROUP. THESE ARE ON LINE AND MEETING GROUPS. I ONLY WENT TO 2 MEETINGS. I MAINLY USED THE ON LINE SUPPORT. MY FRIEND WAS MY MAIN SUPPORT. I COULD NOT HAVE DONE SO WELL WITHOUT HER.

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

I HAVE 4 VERY SMALL INCISION SCARS, WHICH CONTINUE TO FADE. THEY ARE QUITE UNNOTICABLE. I EXPECTED MORE OF A SCAR. I AM PLEASED.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I HAD ONE PLATEAU FOR ABOUT 3 WEEKS. IT WAS MUCH LATER IN MY WEIGHT LOSS. I LOST AN AVERAGE OF 2 LBS PER WEEK AFTER THE INITIAL LOSS. JUST DO NOT GET DOWN ON YOURSELF. THE WEIGHT WILL COME OFF. BE AWARE OF YOUR FOOD INTAKE. SOMETIMES YOU NEED TO EAT A LITTLE MORE TO GET IT MOVING AGAIN.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

YES. ESPECIALLY MEN. MOST PEOPLE ARE MORE POLITE TO ME. HOWEVER SOME OF MY FEMALE CO WORKERS ARE JEALOUS AND WONT EVEN TALK TO ME ABOUT MY LOSS.