In May of 2007, I decided to change my life and have gastric bypass surgery where my stomach would be cut to the size of a golf ball and my intestines re-routed. Three years before this, I had decided to do it and backed out the day of surgery. Looking back, I'm glad I did because I wasn't mentally prepared.

I spent a lot of time on-line at www.obesityhelp.com chatting with people and looking at photos of people who previously had the surgery. That site is a huge resource that I recommend anyone who is contemplating the surgery take time to review. Join the site, create a profile and read the message boards at the very least.

After surgery I woke up in pain. Yes, folks, it hurt a lot. Several hours later, I was told it was time to get up and start walking. I can't begin to tell you how horrible it was to get up and move but I did it and kept doing it all night long and the next day until I went home. It's a very important part of the healing process and helps to prevent blood clots, so please, if you have the surgery, WALK, WALK, WALK! The next day I was taken down for a swallow test where you swallow this gross stuff and stand in front of an x-ray where they check to make sure you don't have any leaks. Then it's back to the room to walk some more! I had a hard time getting comfortable in bed, so I walked more than most people.

I had surgery on Thursday and went home Saturday at Noon time. I was out of work for two weeks and then went back and I did fine. The first few weeks are filled with walking and eating small meals of broth type of food at first, then soft food for a few more weeks. Your doctor will have their own plan so I don't want to lead you in the wrong direction with the diet, but just remember at first it will be totally different.

Fast forward to February of 2008 and I have lost over 160 lbs. and have not thrown up once or had any complications. I am the poster child for a "perfect" surgery. I can eat anything really except bread and things with too much sugar, usually over 8 grams per serving or else I'll dump from it.

Let me give you one tidbit of advice before I finish. This surgery is NOT a cure all for obesity. It's a tool to help you lose weight. I feel so much better now but I still fight the evil food demons who want me to eat the junk. This wasn't a miracle cure but it helped me get to a place where I at least feel better physically and can walk without being in pain and do so many other things I couldn't do for so many years.

I don't recommend that someone just jumps into the surgery, but instead I suggest you do a lot of research. It certainly isn't for everyone and not every person has a perfect recovery like I have been fortunate enough to have. I know some people who have had some terrible complications and there is that possibility of death. I don't want to scare you, but it's something to think about and prepare for just in case. Any surgery has a death risk, but then again, you could walk down the street and get hit by a bus. You just never know what life holds for you.

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