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

My PCP suggested it, and since I had had a previous "stomach stapling" with poor results many years ago I initially resisted the idea.

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

My stay was rough because I had complications. I stayed 7 days. The hospital staff were kind, but kept having to ask for assistance after toileting, which was hard. Seems like they could have anticipated that or passed it on so I didn't have to ask each time. Need a robe and slippers to walk the halls. Some lip balm. Not much else--a brush for your hair. Glasses if you wear them.

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

I was frustrated. The complications revolved around a hernia, not the WLS itself. Was angry that I was one of the few who had complications, but my surgeon had prepared me for the possibility even before surgery, so it was not unexpected. Just didn't think it would happen to me.

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

Just anxious to get it done. It was hard to wait. I coped with my usual pre WLS pattern of eating. Also lived on the Web reading patient profiles on the AMOS and DS sites. That kept me encouraged and focused on the positive changes that would be coming to my life with the weight loss.

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

My surgeon has a group that meets once a month. I usually go to that more to help others than it helps me. Most of the group have RNY and I had DS. I meet with a group of ladies for dinner who also had the DS, and that helps the most. We keep in contact by phone and email. I belong to several groups on Yahoo and keep up with them too.

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

Huge. The scar runs from a little below my breastbone to just above my navel. I had to have open surgery so I expected the scar, but not the fact that it would have to heal from the inside out(because of complications), which has made it wide. I hope to have a scar revision and removal of the mesh that was used when my hernia was closed(existed before the DS) when I have a tummy tuck about 25# from now.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

After the initial wt. loss, I seemed to go 4-6 weeks with little or no loss, then a big drop--then another plateau. My total loss is 171#,though, so things are working right!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, and it makes me angry. I was a non-person before, and clerks ignored me, etc. Now I am noticed and responded to and treated courteously, which is nice. But, it makes me sad that I wasn't when I was so obese. I am not sure if it was all because of the weight, or how much of it was influenced by what I though of myself, and how I projected that to others, honestly.