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

I found out about Bariatric surgery thru my gynecologist. I thought at first that it was drastic and insane to even put yourself thru this. But after I researched it a little more I became more comfortable with it!

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

At my doctors office we have a support group meeting, we meet the 4th Monday of every month. Its great to go and hear how everyone else is doing and to get their input on things. I sometimes feel that Im not losing weight fast enough but then I go and I see that Im right on track and that Im doing fine. I try to make all of the meetings. Its important to me and to all of the other patients. We have met new people and have made some really good friends. I know that I need to keep in touch a little more with a few of them, we all need the support from others that have gone through this surgery. It isn't easy all of the time. I think that any physician that does the bariatric surgeries should have a support group for his patients. It is very important. I have learned so many new things.

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

My scar looks better all the time. It goes from my breast bone to my belly button but I would rather lose weight and have the scar than to be 336lbs. I am now down to 245 since Nov. 13. I would say Im doing pretty good and that scar is nothing anymore. It will fade in time.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

When I hit 275 I hit a small one and then continued to lose weight. I did get very discouraged and didn't want to go back to the doctors until I had lost at least another 10lbs. Which I did and then some. Its funny how different you feel about your weight loss when it starts pouring off of you.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes now that Im thinner than before people are nicer. Everyone out there that is overweight knows how it feels because people look at you much differently. It upsets me at how men will treat thin women and then look at an overweight one with disgust. Im not thin yet but I noticed that I get more looks than I use to. But I have a fantastic husband that treats me the same no matter what I look like and thats the only person that I worry about. I don't care if someone likes me or not. Im me, the same fat or thin.