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

I first heard about the harsh bypass surgery and I thought that was only for 500 lb trailer park people because that was all I saw on TV. I didn't know normal people could get it too.

Describe your experience with getting insurance approval for surgery. What advice, if any, do you have for other people in this stage?

I have no insurance- SELF PAY

What was your first visit with your surgeon like? How can people get the most out of this meeting?

Went to Mexico the first meeting with the surgeon was on the day of surgery.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

When I saw that I could pay for it for less that $10 Grand in Mexico

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

It was EASY. Laproscopic Gastric Banding, Less invasive, Fewer Deaths.

What fears did you have about having complications or even dying from from the surgery, and what would you tell other people having the same fears now?

There is no way around it, There are always risks. Get your affairs in order before hand so you can find some peace before going under. Once I got all my business in order for the most part, I relaxed. I was back home before you know it.

How did your family and friends react to your decision? Would you have communicated anything differently if you could now? How supportive were they after your surgery?

My Mother and sisters felt it was risky, a little TOO risky for their tastes.

How did your employer/supervisor react to your decision? What did you tell him/her? How long were you out of work?

My Co-WORKERS were VERY Supportive

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

The Hospital in Tijuana, OCC, was clean and excellent.

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

None, Slight minor pain and drowsiness on the plane ride back to Texas, there was a lay over in ALB that sucked.

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 was nervous that the surgery had failed, I was so hungry all the time.

Describe your first few weeks home from the hospital. What should people expect from this period?

Gas Pain in my chest and abdomin, soreness around entry points for the port, etc. Tiredness for 3 or 4 days.

How far did you travel to have your surgery? (If far, how did this affect your aftercare?)

I did not get any aftercare from Tijuana. Once I passed the six weeks, I went back for my first fill. All other fill have been with a bariatric surgeon locally.

Please describe in detail what things you could and couldn't eat in the weeks and months following surgery. What foods have been off limits? Please explain how your dietary tolerance changed week-by-week, and then month-by-month since surgery.

I could not eat broccoli or potatoes, tomatoes, kale. I had more tolerance as time passed. Now I can eat potatoes one are two bites. Most vegtables are a problem for me even today almost a year out. So I juice and take metamucil for fiber.

What was your actvity level in the days and weeks after surgery?

No activity for a week after surgery. By the end of 4 weeks I was doing everything including working out.

What vitamins and/or dietary supplements have you taken since your surgery?

I was on the Metabolic High nutrition Suppliments and meal repalcement shakes for the high protein content, however, It was discovered that I was Allergic to Succrolose and that was hindering my weight loss.

What side effects (nausea, vomiting, sleep disturbace, dumping, hair loss etc.) were worse for you? For how long after surgery did they persist? How did you cope with them?

I have not had any of those problems. I was just hungry all the time in the beginning.

What was the worst part about the entire bariatric surgery process?

The fear of not Knowing if you will be the one person that dies on the table.

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

I do not have any support other than ObesityHelp.com and the WLS community on Youtube.

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

Yes and the scare gets less and less noticeable over time

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I plateau once a month, but you just keep following your exercise routine and it breaks.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet.