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

My brother had RNY back in May 2003 and did extremely well on it. I had been researching this type of surgery since 1984, but never knew how to get it or even get everything started. I am glad that I waited until 2004 to have it because first of all, the surgery has come a very long way since 1984 = it is so much safer today, and second of all, I had the best surgeon perform my operation!

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

I ended up staying in Lenox Hill hospital for 5, rather than 3 days because I developed a slightly elevated white cell count. No big deal. The doctors, nurses and other staff members took such good care of me and they were all so nice. I kind of hated to leave the hospital!

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

No, thank goodness. I hear people talk about complications. I am so thankful that everything went so well. This is what happens when you have the best doctor. EVERYBODY - LISTEN TO ME - DO NOT CHOOSE YOUR DOCTOR FROM THE INTERNET - GET A RECOMMENDATION FROM YOUR DOCTOR OR SOMEONE WHO HAS HAD THE SURGERY.

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 elated to have everything done so quickly. I was also very anxious because there was only a couple of weeks between my surgical consultation and date. After a mess up with my paperwork because of a total change in command of my primary care doctors office staff, we ended up having to postpone the surgery - so that gave me a couple of months of relaxation after rushing to get everything done.

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

I had to start going for post op visits to my surgeon after 2 weeks, then to the nutritionist. I had to stay on pureed food for 4 to 5 weeks after my surgery, then graduated to a more solid diet. The hospital does conduct support groups, unfortunately I have not been able to attend. I managed to get home early one evening and go with my sister in law to another hospitals support group and it was pretty interesting, I think that for alot of people, support groups are so important. It gives people a great opportunity to see and speak to people who are at all different stages in the process.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Yeah - I hit one at about 40 pounds. I attribute it to the new program from the nutritionist after my pureed food stage. For 4 weeks, I lost NOTHING! (didn't gain anything either!) I went online and looked for "how to break a weight loss plateau" and every site said not to stick "religiously" to a program, which is what I was doing - exactly 4 proteins, 2 breads, 2 fats, 1 fruit, 1 milk and 3 vegs per day. Once I stopped counting, and ate what I wanted in reasonable (key word here!) amounts, the weight loss started again. Thank goodness for the internet!!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I do. People who never said a word to me before now greet me with a cheerful "good morning". When I walk down the street, or into a store, people actually smile at me. It makes me a bit uncomfortable, because I am still the same person - just a little less of me. I don't understand why people treat overweight people like they have some kind of contagious disease.