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

i can't really remember back to 1977,i just remember going to a doctor and being referred to a surgeon.had to take a battery of test and see a psychiatrist,seemed to take a long time for approval but none of it was unpleasant.

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

seems like i was in for 7 days(1977)and for being in the hospital it was ok.the owrst thing was the N-g tube..i hated it.now days u have to bring everything or u are charged for it..so all personal items(soap,shampoo...)if u wear u're own pj's they could become soiled with drainage from the incision.books are good if u get bored and don't want to watch tv.oh..and throat lozenges,u're thorat will be irritated after surgery.

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

no,everything went very well.

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 very excited...but i was afraid of being put to sleep..when they took me into surery..i started crying...haha..told the nurse i was scared and she held my hand till i went to sleep.

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

the only supprot i had was my return visit to the surgeon..i don't think they had support groups back then..i can't seem to find one locaaly to me now.

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

it went from hip to hip... and had staples...they hurt a little when they were removed....but healed well..in a year u could hardley see it.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

hmmmmmmmmmm i lost about 140lbs in 1 year..then leveled off there for 10 years or so..i have gradually gain approx. 1/2 back in the last 15 years..i have leveled off at bout 200-215.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yeahhhhhhhh..i was much more desirable to the opposite sex...and people smiled at me more..treated me like i was human.funny how loosing weight makes u a better person in other peoples eyes...oh and just a note..i have had 3 healthy childern since my surgery...they were smaller than my first son..but healthy none the less!