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

My first knowledge came from an uncle who had it in 1982 and almost died from it. In 2001 my dad had it and I watched him closely for a year before making the call. He is down 170+ and has a new lease on life. 10 days post op I am down 29.

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

My stay in the hospital was terrible. The damn non-english speaking orderly tried to pull me out of bed by my catheter. OUCH! The nurses at Newton-Wellesley were awesome but too few. When an actuall RN was in the room I was ok but the support staff sucked. BUT! I was in intensive care for a week and all of the staff there were great.

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

I had a leak. I was in incredible pain and had another surgery to repair it the next day. It was really scary. I thought I was kaput. After two weeks in the hospital, a portion of which on a vent in intensive care I went home. I was sick for the next three weeks and malnutrition set in due to the fact that the surgeon's practice had not given me proper attention as to dietary needs. I was re-admitted to the hospital, properly medicated and fed. After three days I went home and started piecing my life back together.

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 felt like a total loser/failure for throwing in the towel and opting for surgery. The real anxiety set in just a couple days before and that morning I was really freaking out. I thought "I don't need this, I'll just eat salad and go to Weight Watchers or something" but something kept me there and I had it done.

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

I went to the support groups but they were so large that I found them only a little useful. It was helpful just to go because I felt involved in my recovery. The hardest part of all this has been the emotional change. People treat me different and I resent them for that. I also have become selfish in that I will take care of myself before anybody else except my kids. Realistically I should see a shrink to deal with the waves of emotion that wrap over me sometimes. I also get pissed at people quicker now, including my wife. I didn't expect that but since I am taking ownership of all my emotions I won't run from them. If I'm pissed, people will have to deal with me or go to hell.

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

My scar is ugly and about 5 inches long. It has no feeling and is kinda a pain in the ass. I look at it as proof of my weakness and my effort to run from my inability to control my eating. I am proud of what I accomplished in the year since surgery, but someone who has gone through what I've been through will understand when I say my scar is my "badge of shame... not honor.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I can thankfully and honestly say that I have been on the scale only every few months since surgery so I haven't really noticed any plateaus. Oh, I'm sure I had them but I refuse to own a scale so I didn't notice. I go by clothing anyway. I had a 64 inch waist and now wear 42 easily. I can also run three miles whereas before I had pain walking three feet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Oh my god yes. Fist of all people have been supportive. BUT! people at work now listen when I speak though what I'm saying has not changed. I get more respect from people now. The general public is nicer to me and I get better service in the places I go. I HATE ALL OF THE ABOVE FACTS. This surgery has unleashed the inner me and the inner me is fucking pissed off. These people have been underestimating me or just blowing me off for years. Suddenly everybody wants to be my friend. Fuck'em.