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

Not sure exactly how first, but about two years ago started meeting/knowing people that had had it and were all happy. At first, I said, "no, I don't need that....can do it myself". Well, it was over 25 years of trying myself, and it didn't seem to matter...I could look at food and gain pounds.

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

Went in Friday AM...had surgery at 11:30 and was in my room by 2:00 or so. I was released on Monday at noon. Stay was fine.... Most important thing was to have a family member (wife) stay.... At St. Vincent/Cleveland Center for Bariatric Surgery, you are in a single room and can have a support person stay.

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

NONE...ZIP....ZILCH

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

Kind of got lucky there. Did have about a four or five week lead time, but was going to take week off before surgery so that I could get some stuff done around the house that I knew I couldn't do for awhile after. On October 30, I got a call to see if I could be there the 31st....a full week earlier than I had been scheduled. I'm sure that decreased my anxiety level.

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

I have been to a few meetings, but to me, it's helpful to a degree. CCBS has a message board that is an ongoing support group so to speak. For many though, I see how important support groups are.

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

In my research...the part where I asked friends what kind of scars they had, they would immediatly lift their shirts and show me, so, I had a good idea.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I've had several. At 5-6 months I was stuck right below 100 pound loss and got depressed to a degree. My weight loss has been pretty steady though. I'm just 7 months out and am down 121 pounds.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People that didn't know me do, yes. Didn't realize that I had been treated (mistreated) as a "fat" person (which, I like many, knew I was but never admitted the extent).