I made friends with many people and was lucky enough to attend a dinner with more than a dozen women in all stages of recovery, ranging from pre-operative, one just ten days out, and others who were a few months or close to one year post-operative.  That was one of the most enlightening experiences I had. I learned that yes, there is life after surgery.  I would be able to eat "real food" again some day.  I couldn't wait for my turn to start to look like some of them.  Now it has been more than a year and I look like a normal person.  I am no longer tired or take any of the six medications I was on before.  I don't like to measure my success by numbers in either time or pounds but in milestones like the first time I bought a clothing size that didn't have an X behind it or when I crossed my legs and they stayed that way.  I don't get winded after walking more than a few feet and can get myself up from the floor when I get down to play with my grandchildren.

I advise those thinking of undergoing Bariatric surgery to arm yourselves with as much information as possible by going online and attending every available support group meeting.  Make acquaintances with people willing to be available by phone.  Don't ever forget this is major surgery and there are vast adjustments to make in your life. Deciding to have this procedure has made a big difference in my life. I always looked at myself with negative feelings  whenever passing a mirror. Now, when I see my reflection I think, "I may be a 50-year-old grandmother of six, but I sure don't look like one!"

Brenda had her surgery June 29, 2000.   In a little more than one year, Brenda has gone from 242 lbs. to 135 lbs. says that she feels incredible, has a higher energy level and now loves to shop for clothes!  She believes that one of the most  important things to do when considering Bariatric surgery is to obtain as much information about the surgery as possible.

I had promised myself I would be in the best shape of my life by the time I turned 50, but as I embarked on what was probably the 45th diet I had tried since the age of 16, I saw this goal as unlikely, if not impossible. I didn't know quite how I was going to accomplish that feat since I was tired all the time, had high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and took antidepressants and sleeping pills.  I had just invested in yet another weight loss plan. For this one, you broke open a little ampoule and smelled the contents, like chocolate cake and were no longer supposed to want to eat the chocolate cake.  Well, it sounded great in the infomercial.  I never actually put it to the test because when I really thought about it, I was embarrassed for my gullibility. 

Luckily, I read the newspaper because there was an article about an information session about a weight loss surgery I had heard about some years before.  I made the call and within a few days, I was learning about the Roux-en-y Gastric Bypass surgery from a surgeon who had actually had the operation himself.  What better recommendation could I have than from someone who knew first-hand what I was going through? And not only had this doctor and his wife had the surgery, but many on his staff as well.  I started learning as much about what to expect before, during and after as I could. I attended every support group available and talked to as many patients as I could.