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

Carnie Wilson's story. I was leary until I began to learn more and thought this may be my last chance to try to help myself.

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

I was in Fair Oaks Hosp in Fairfax VA. I was in for 4 days. I think the most important items to bring are comfortable slip in slippers (no heels as you are not able to bend down well enough to put them on) and comfortable P.J.'s. I brought a set that was knit and top with bottom that did NOT have any elastic but a draw string.

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

No complications from the surgery itself.

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 felt well enough to start traveling again 10 days after surgery. I actually went back to the office after 15 days.

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

I have met and become friends with 3 other patients that live very close to me. It has been very instrumental to have Nikki and Amanda during rough days for all of us. We have been able to help each other out (we had surgery within 5 months of each other). I also have very supportive co-workers and supervisors that even check to see if I can eat at a resturant when we go out for various meetings etc.

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

I have a 4 inch scar that is very small compared to my c-sec scar. I thought it would be much larger. It healed much better then the c-sec also. Kudos to my surgeon Dr. Halmi

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have plateaus every 6 weeks that last about a week. I just make sure I keep to my usual activity and not indulge. These are short lived and then I begin to drop again. I have found I weigh too much so I sometimes get frustrated if I am 1 lb more than the day before not taking into consideration time of day, fluid intake already etc.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I do think people notice me more and have made it a point to come up and say how great I look. (this helps me more too!!!). I am not looked at like a cow anymore.