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

My PCP ask me to talk with a surgeon if I wanted to live. I researched it for months. It impressed me, but the riskes made me think. I had to ask myself what risks did I have being severly morbidly obese as compared to this surgery. I was on my way out being obese. Risks are there for any surgery. This is a very serious major surgery, and should only be used as a last resort, but it is there if you need it, and it saves lives!

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 great as far as the care goes. I was in a lot of pain, but they gave me a morphine pump to control that every ten minutes. I was in the hospital for five days on a ward for gastric bypass patients. They were well equiped for us obese patients at York hospital in PA. You don't need much to take because you will not be wearing much except a gown. Most hospitals supply you with the basics. I do recommend requesting a stomach binder for right after your surgery. It made a big difference in my comfort, and support. I would take some crazy looking slippers to make you the hit on your floor. I wore slippers that looked like a dog, so as I was walking down the hall I would tell everyone I was walking my dogs!

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

I had several complications with my surgery. You must remember, this is a very serious surgery, and very dangerious with many possible complications including death. It has to be told! I had developed stricture long after I was post-op, so it can happen any time. The opening closes up which makes it hard to impossible for any food to go down, so up it comes! It is a simple procedure to correct it, and you feel no discomfort from it. I developed an ulcer right at the point where the small intestine was connected to the pouch. It soon started to bleed causing a serious emergency. I was at the doctors with this, and he had to call the ambulance which almost had to team up with life support with my blood pressure dropping very low. I was bleeding internaly requiring blood transfussions. I got sick every day with different foods. Even now, below my goal weight, I have issues with food. You have to accept the idea that you will now eat to live, and not live to eat. I do what I can to get my protein in. When I had my tummy tuck, on the day I was released, they had to rush me in that evening with internal bleeding. They had to do emergency surgery at mid-night that took five hours to stop this bleeding. My wife thought she was going home a widow. I get upset everytime I think about that. I will have no more surgeries, but the gastric bypass i would do again in a heartbeat knowing how it saved my life.

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

When they gave me a surgery date, I was one excited puppy. Yes I was nervous, but I know my life was soon to change for the better. I was ready! I asked for something to calm me in the hospital before the surgery, but they forgot, and remember everything when I was wheeled into the OR. I layed there looking around at all the equipment that was there for me. Before I knew it though, I was under, and it was over. Now here I am at two years post-op as of this report.

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

I do attend a support group in York, PA. Iyt is a big help when I am able to attend. I also have three websites I manage in regards to this surgery. My own personal website is located at http://rcvarney0.tripod.com I have a great deal os information there, plus photos of my surgery, and tummy tuck. I also have some great before and after photos to check out.

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

My scar is like an upsidedown happy face. My surgeon found out making the incision this way reduced the possiblity of a hernia. Knock on wood, I never had one of those yet. I had everything else, but no hernia!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I was one to check my weight on a daily basis which is not recommended. That was me. I often saw times wher I would go several days without losing weight. Then all of a sudden, it would start dropping again. You just deal with it. As long as you know you are following the progral set out by your surgeon don't worry!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes! I am treat with more respect now. I am still the same person inside, but people do see the outside. I do walk around holding my head up higher now. People still talk to me about my surgery because I have been a success. I love talking about it. I made it my lifes mission to help others with this problem.