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

AN OLD FRIEND OF MINE HAD THE SURGERY, THEN I READ CARNIE WILSON'S BOOK. I THOUGHT IT WAS GREAT, BUT BECAUSE OF CHRONIC RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS I WAS AFRAID.

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

IT WAS PROBABLY EASIER FOR ME THAN MOST,BECAUSE I HAD THE SURGERY IN THE HOSPITAL WHERE I HAVE WORKED FOR 30 YEARS. I AM BLESSED WITH WONDERFULLY SUPPORTIVE FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES WHO WHERE WITH ME ALL THE WAY. I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL FOR 41/2 DAYS . I WAS A LITTLE STIR CRAZY, BUT I FELT MORE SECURE HAVING PEOPLE AROUND,SO I DIDN'T DRIVE THE DOCTOR CRAZY TO GO HOME BEFORE HE THOUGHT I WAS READY. BESIDES YOUR FAVORITE PERSONAL TOILETRIES, I LOVED WHEN SOMONE BROUGHT ME A GOOD BOOK. I ALSO BROUGHT SPECIAL LITTLE THINGS THAT FRIENDS HAD GIVEN ME, SO IT DIDN'T FEEL SO STERILE.

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

I WAS LUCKY,NEVER HAD A FEVER, OR ANY WOUND SITE INFECTIONS. I WAS DRIVING MY CAR TO MY FIRST SUPPORT GROUP MEETING 2 WEEKKS LATER.

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

THE FIRST WEEK OR SO I FELT TIRED AT TIMES, BUT THE INCISIONS NEVER RELLY FELT MORE THAN LIKE A PULLED MUSCLE. I NEVER TOOK PAIN KILLERS AFTER THE FIRST POST-OP NIGHT. I HAD PRETTY CLEAR POST-OP INSTRUCTIONS THAT MY DOCTOR WENT OVER WITH ME. I THINK IT WOULD HAVE BEEN ALOT HARDER, HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THE SUPPORT GROUP. THEY'RE A NICE GROUP OF PEOPLE, WHO HAVE ALL GONE THROUGH THE SAME THINGS, SO THEY TAKE THE NEWER MEMBERS UNDER THIR WINGS.

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

MONTHLY, A GROUP MEETS TO DISCUSS ANY PROBLEMS, QUESTIONS OR IDEAS THAT THEY HAVE COME UP WITH. AS WELL AS POST-OPS, PEOPLE COME WHO ARE THINKING ABOUT HAVING THE SURGERY, OUR SURGEON, NUTRITIONIST, PSYCOLOGIST, SOMETIMES A PHYSICAL THERAPIST OR GUEST SPEAKER. THERE IS A GREAT BENEFIT IN BEING WITH A GROUP OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME GOALS AS YOU.

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

I HAVE FIVE ONE INCH SCARS, HAVING HAD MY SURGERY VIA LAPARASCOPE. I THINK IT WAS BETTER THAN I EXPECTED, BECAUSE THE PAIN WAS MINIMAL.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I HAVE HAD WEEKS WHERE I DIDN'T LOSE ANY WEIGHT, SO I STAYED OFF THE SCALE FOR A FEW WEEKS. THEN I WOULD GET ON THE SCALE AND HAVE DROPPED TEN OR FIFTEEN POUNDS. YOU CAN'T LET THE SCALE GET YOU NUTS, IT ALL EVENS OUT.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

PEOPLE HAVE BEEN COMPLIMENTING ME ON THE WEIGHT LOSS,EVEN WHEN I DIDN'T NOTICE IT MYSELF.