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

my cousin had it done in 1979....so i was always aware of it. My primary care physician suggested that I look into it and gave me a referral to be evaluated. After losing over a 1000 lbs in my 56 years, I new this was what I needed.

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

As I live alone, it was scary at first, the PAIN was real bad, I new that I had to be able to take care of myself when I got home. I was in the hospital 5 days...as I ran a fever after surgery and I also became lactose intollerant. What was most important to me was that the Doctors and Nurses treated me as an individual with dignity and were aware of my fears and concerns. The first thing I requested was a regular bed...because I new that I would have to be able to get out of a flat bed once I got home. The most important thing to bring to the hospital is 1) loose clothing to wear home... 2) an open mind... as everyone comes through this surgery differently.. and 3) a strong polite ascertive attitude that you need to understand what is happening and why...and the conviction that you will get the answers you need before your leave the hospital.

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

Not really, just the lactose intollerance which eventually went away about 6 months post op. I had a little oozing from the stitches...but all was OK in a few weeks.

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 was extremely anxious....and felt like I was going into permanent detox. I ate everything and gained about 20 lbs. This was wrong, and did not help my surgeon or me....but this is what I did. I had some doubts some days, as to whether or not this would work for me. I'm so glad I had the surgery. I now have a life. I can walk the malls. I can be outside on a hot day. I can cross my legs when I sit. I've lost 100 lbs.

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

friends and relatives, the weekly group meeting in Boston is difficult for me to attend on a regular basis because I work about an hour from Boston...but I do attend as often as possible.

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

It is about 8" long .. It starts right below my bra band (which was a definite problem directly after surgery). It doesn't look bad. It is narrow and a little thick for the top 2 inches. I had no expectations about a scar...it was of little importance to me.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I've had a couple of long weight loss plateaus....but your body needs to adjust to your new weight...you need to divert your thoughts and stay busy....exercise...eventually the plateau passes. I've weighed approximately the same for about a month now...but I've only 11 lbs. to my goal weight...so this is going to be the hardest and slowest part for me.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes and they shouldn't. I'm still the same person. I resent it.