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

From a friend who had a cousin to have the surgery; my initial impression was "only the truly desparate would go to that extreme!"

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

I spent the first night in ICU, and I was mostly in/out, but had excellent care. I was moved to a regular private room the next day. The pain was really bad the first couple of days, and I had an allergic reaction to the morphine, so they switched to giving me demoral (spelling?) shots. I was doing so well by the 4th day, that I got to go home a day early.

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

I had a skin infection in the area where my drainage tube had been, but my family physician was able to treat it with an antibiotic (cipro), and I had no further problems. I have not had any major complications at all; it has been really great, and I feel really blessed.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

Anxious; I prayed and talked with my friend who had just had surgery a month before my surgery date.

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

Friends and family, and the websites. Everyone has been so supportive, even my co-workers who give me positive words almost everyday. It has been so helpful, and it really helps boost my self-esteem.

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

It's long and permanent, pretty much what I expected. There is a tape that a dermatologist can prescribe to improve the appearance and ease the itching/irritation, but I haven't tried it yet. A friend/coworker who had open heart surgery has tried it, and said it works great.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am experiencing a plateau right now in actual weight loss numbers on the scale, but I am still losing inches and clothing sizes. I work out with wieghts and crosstrain, so everyone tells me muscle weighs more than fat, so that's why my numbers aren't showing up on scale. I have been at 290 for about a month now, and I am getting kind of anxious and wondering if this is it!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, people who did not even speak to me before at work are now just very chatty. Also, men are much more attentive!