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

Many years ago (the mid-1990's) I had a friend who had stomach stapling done. I had looked into it at that time, and talked with my Doctor about it. My insurance didn't cover it at that time, nor was I ready for something so drastic, so I went through a fasting program, and years later diet pills. Last year, after being told I could not have knee surgery for an arthritic condition unless I lost 100 pounds, I did some research on the internet and talked with other friends who had both had an RNY procedure and were very pleased with it. I became convinced that this was the direction I needed to go.

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

The surgery group that I went through doesn't have any aftercare support group. I've read about some of them, and think they would be very helpful. There definitely are many questions that arise during recovery, and so many life style changes that need to be made. Although I had printed materials to help me through these, and a phone number should I need it, I think a weekly group would have been very helpful. If nothing else, I would suggest someone stay in contact with peers through ObesityHelp.com. I didn't know about this website until 4 months post-op, and can see how helpful it would have been during the earlier stages!!

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

My scar is 13 inches long, a straight shot from my sterum to just above my pelvic bone, with a quick circle around my belly button. It's MUCH larger than I had ever expected it would be. I had 35 staples removed, which also left poka-dots on either side, so it looks like a zipper. It's fairly thick and cord-like, although not too bad, about 1/4" wide except above the belly button where it spread during healing. There it's 3/8" wide. I rub it with cocoa butter and vitamin E oil every day, and it's beginning to fade a bit - the staple marks have faded considerably. I don't like the scar, but oh well! It's a trade-off I'd make ANY DAY for all the benefits I've had from this surgery!!!!!!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I hit one large plateau between 3 and 4 months, where I lost very little -- of course, this also fell around the Christmas holiday for me, so I began sampling a bit more diverse foods at that time, too. However, I was still losing about 2 pounds a week until 4 months when I stopped for a couple weeks. I then began making wraps for lunch -- spinach lewash bread with hummus, cucumber, sweet red pepper, tomatoe, lettuce, various meat and cheese. I could eat quite a large portion over my hour - drank V8 juice, and had small careful dinner portions in the evening as well. Wow - the plateau broke, and I lost 7 pounds in one week! Went back to the normal weight loss after that, so I figure it may have been a water weight thing, but what fun! Woo woo!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Beyond getting looks from men again... smiles... My loved ones are very excited for me. However, while everyone at work was initially very excited when I first came back, 40 pounds lighter, now that my weight loss has reached 75 pounds, I notice the reactions I'm getting have changed. My thinner co-workers and friends continue to get very excited, talk frequently about my current diet and exercise program, and are always complimenting my appearance and making comments on the changes -- those with weight issues, however, no longer make any comments, and look very uncomfortable if someone else brings up my progress! I remember how I used to feel when others were losing weight and I wasn't (a combination of jeaslousy, frustration and a strong sense of futility), and I'm overwhelmed with a desire to help these people -- I wish everyone with a weight issue could have this surgery! It has saved my life!!! But I also know, too well, what a personal and difficult decision it is.