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

My cousin had it done. I thought about it because it seemed to work for her.

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

I was treated very well. I was in for about 3 days. I don't remember it much. It was 6 years ago. I was pretty groggy during the whole time. I had the open. So I am sure it is different now on what you would bring to the hospital now.

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

I had no complications what so ever. I never got sick at all. I can eat any type of food as well, within moderation of course.

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

Of course there was pain and I wondered why I put myself through that, put it is like giving birth to a child, the outcome is worth it. I was somewhat luckier then some, as I am on mood stabilizers for my bipolar so that helped with any depression that sometimes comes right after the surgery.

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

I went to the support group for a while after and it was very important. I learned that some of the things that I felt was a normal process. I also felt I was helping others who were going to have the surgery who had anxieties or questions.

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

My scar goes from my just between my brests to just above the pubic area. And I have another across the pubic area from when I had the pinic.(skin removal). It is longer then I expected but I am a lot thinner then I have ever been so the trade off is worth it. Like I was ever going to wear a bikini anyway. My dr. made me a new belly button after the pinic. Not all dr.'s do that.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I guess that was in the first year. But I kept losing inches. I learned that the scale really didn't mean much, the clothes sizes kept getting smaller anyway. I still don't own a scale after 6 years. I just go by my clothes. I only get weighed at the dr.'s.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. People look at me and see me, not a object. People aren't looking at what I'm eating, except waitresses saying "is the food okay?" when I leave most of it on the plate.