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

Years ago, when it was experimental and very dangerous. I knew, though, that it would come along, and it did.

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

The people were lovely at Carteret. Kind, considerate, and I trusted them. I was operated on Monday and went home on Thursday. I didn't need to bring anything other than a robe and slippers, as I was pretty much out. I don't recall much of the entire thing. There was no pain, but I had some hallucinations from Demerol via the PCA. They took me off it, and I went home.

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

No complications, other than some clean drainage that erupted rather suddenly about three weeks afterwards. Saw my regular doctor (my surgeon is an hour away), who called my surgeon, and I dressed it as they advised and it resolved itself.

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 didn't have anxiety. Anticipation is a better word. I trusted in God and in His ability to care for me. Interestingly, 10 days before my scheduled surgery, a severe gallbladder attack put me in the hospital for 4 days. Strange doctors came in and said, that gallbladder has to go. Well, I said, it's scheduled to go, I'm having a cholecystectomy a week from Monday. My own internist group saved me, watched me very closely, and kept the attendings from operating. It was a fine line to walk, but God took me through it.

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

My friends and family are a more important support group to me than the group run by my surgeon's practice. I haven't been to that support group since before surgery. The people in the group are lovely, but I get so much help from those around me, and I educated myself, and continue to do so, so I haven't felt the need.

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

I had an open RNY. The scar is smaller than I expected, and healing rapidly. The redness is already gone from the topmost part of the vertical scar. There is some occasional discomfort there, as I knew there would be, from nerves healing and so forth. At the most, it feels like a skinned knee now and then.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

It's too soon (4 months) for that to have happened yet. My weight loss has not been astronomical, because my initial weight was only 263, but it has been steady, and my clothing sizes have dropped dramatically, from a 3X to a Missy's large in a tee shirt.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I think it's more my willingness to be open to others, and not feeling like the biggest woman in town. Most people have always been very nice to me, but I shut them out. I am still a big woman, but take better care of my appearance and am more outgoing, so people do treat me differently, because I ask for it.