della street

@roundisashape I had to laugh out loud at your comment re 'sh*tting bricks' -- THAT'S A 1000% ACCURATE DESCRIPTION!!!! That is the biggest surprise to me about the surgery -- it looks like most posters here are sleeved; I'm bypass post-op about 10 weeks -- doing really well, but, boy oh boy, the constipation issues have been horrible. Yes, they mentioned it in pre-op class, on forums, etc., but until you repeatedly experience the trauma of how bad it can get, you just don't get it. Even with all that, which I'm praying to find the solution too asap, I have not a single regret. PS re emotions - I did burst into tears when hubby and son had a pizza delivered - they asked me if it was okay with me, and I said yes, but when it arrived, Niagara Falls started flowing from my eyes

@@Riz2006 I am so glad you are better - I just got done with a Fleet enema, oy ( -- I haven't tried Miralax, but heading to Walgreen's soon to get some -- I'm almost 10 weeks post-bypass and doing really well -- EXCEPT for this miserable, painful, horrible, no-good constipation, UGH UGH UGH!!!!! I was this-close a few days ago from going to ER -- I started on raw veggies recently, so having salads and black bean Soup last 2-3 days and praying the Fiber helps -- it's no consolation when you're straining till you're traumatized, crying and red-in-the-face, but you are most definitely not alone.

Does anyone know the diff between Miralax and Milk of Magnesia?

I second the 'you'll save a lot of $$ on food" comments -- I'm about 10 weeks post-op bypass and I eat so little -- a container of cherry tomatoes, for one small example, lasts for several meals. I was recently "approved" for raw veggies/salads, so hightailed w/hubby to my favorite salad restaurant, Paradise Bakery. A half-salad lasted me three meals! Prior to surgery, it would have been a whole salad = one meal. It's hard to quantify, but the savings on food, both at home and eating out, is phenomenal.

I am 9-plus weeks post-op bypass and had SEVERE issues with constipation until about 2 weeks ago. Starting taking two stool softeners a day and actually had two "natural" BMs - a little difficult, but NOTHING like before when Fleet enemas were the only thing that did the trick. However, today, it is back, UGH UGH UGH. Think maybe low Water intake or too much cheese - started being allowed cheese sticks and did 2/day for Snacks, prob too much ( Did Fleet a little while ago, and still nothing, I am MISERABLE @@NewMary83 At what point did you reAlize you needed to go the ER?

I'm 59 and waited ten years to get surgery since hubby's work-based insurance specifically excluded it. Every year, I'd hold my breath praying that this would be the year they'd cover it, but no, they never did and still don't. Enter the Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare") and voila - I purchased my own policy (I'm self-employed so didn't have work-based insurance access) and here in AZ, all policies are required to cover WLS. I'm sure all policies/ insurance companies have varying coverages, amounts, deductibles, etc., but my BCBS of AZ policy is great. Yes, I have to pay premiums every month; no, I don't qualify for subsidies on my premiums, so yes, it is a not insignificant added expense monthly to our budget -- but policy was effective Jan. 1 of this year and I was approved and in surgery on Jan. 29th. Cost of policy every month + deductibles is still WAY WAY less than cost of surgery. I am two-plus months post-bypass and doing great. Have lost about 60 lbs so far and two sizes down. Goodwill is getting a ton of my size 4X's and 5X's, )

@jadama22 I had my g/b removed over 20 years ago -- had bypass surgery two months ago, so I've been w/o my g/b for a long time. Felt so much better after its removal, never noticed any iota of difference bowel-wise, etc. Of course, everyone's different, but that's my experience -

Yep, have the Charge and love it -- I'm not an expert in all the syncing apparatus, but it definitely is a motivator for steps--hubby and I have a friendly game of competition about steps, ie, if we go to Costco, we'll take the long way around to get to whatever aisle we're looking for just to get our # of steps up, lol -- every little bit helps!

@Bellaloly Yes, -- I am two months post-bypass -- I, too, read so much on here about 2-week liquid diets, etc. However, my surgeon only required a couple of days - I think it was 1-2 days of light eating, then 1 day of liquids-only. All went well - and I felt *really* lucky to not have to endure two weeks!!

@x0CheekzVSG Yes, I had a test in the pre-op area --

@MoMo12onTheGo -- Still no other AZ folks replying - strange! Good luck getting the April date you want! Once I was approved by BCBS, I got a date about 3 weeks out -

@MoMo12onTheGo You're more than welcome -- this is such a journey, it's so nice to "speak" with others on the same journey -- I agree, I've had a hard time finding AZ folks as well, which I find very odd since there are at least three major bariatric programs here in the Valley - Banner, Scottsdale Healthcare, and Bridges at St. Luke's Hospital. I don't know if Banner does, but Scottsdale H/care has a patient-only forum, but even that doesn't have a lot of volume of posts considering the thousands of folks that have gone thru that program over the last 9-10 years or so -- I think after a while, you just start living your life and don't have as many questions, etc, I guess -- At 8 weeks out (have 8-week appt this Wed as a matter of fact), doing pretty well, except constipation is a huge issue -- in fact, I'd say that's the biggest issue I've had throughout the entire process - other than insurance foibles pre-op, but that's a whole 'nother story -- and sorry if the constipation comment is TMI, but you'll find it mentioned throughout these posts -- The first couple of weeks after sugery, was really/really tired, but energy mostly back since about week three or so - still working on all the eating changes, that's for sure... but have lost 39 lbs since surgery in 46 days since surgery, and 15 lbs pre-op, so that makes me very happy ) Do you have a surgery date yet?

I get very confused by the percentages! My doc has given me # of grams per day, and figuring that out is driving me crazy!!

Sorry, I'll give a non-answer as well, but just wanted to say it's nice to know of other Arizona folks -- I had bypass about 8 weeks ago at Scottsdale Healthcare with Dr. James Swain - GREAT experience there!

I'm almost two months post-bypass and just this week started added 2-3 fresh strawberries and 2-3 slices of banana to my Greek yogurt in the blender -- haven't had any problems and is very yummy -

I recently found myself biting my tongue when watching a family w/young kids coming out of a grocery store. A little girl, maybe 5 years old, was slugging back a 20-oz bottle of regular Pepsi. I wanted to roll down my window and scream "do you know how much sugar is in there?? and what this will do to her health-wise and weight-wise??" -- But of course, I did not. I feel like the stereotypical reformed smoker who now tells everyone how awful smoking is and why they should stop. I cringe when I see people stuffing themselves like I used to do (and still mentally want to do sometimes). Sigh, it is a battle -

@@heav85 Yes, mine was over the phone - pre-admission is diff than pre-op appt, at least in my case. Pre-admission is with the hospital; pre-op is with the surgeon/NUT, etc. I did also have some pre-admission paperwork, now that I think about, during my pre-op class - we spent time with the hospital admission folks; NUT presentation; surgery coordinator - explaining process, etc. They also collected any co-pays, so find out if yours does that ahead of time so you're not surprised. Then on day of surgery, I just walked in and most of the paperwork was all done...did things like verify your ID; go over your paperwork to make sure they have contact info for your spouse (if applicable), go over your allergies, meds, etc. -- just re-verifying everything, which is good -

@@JacksdadShane -- I'm a writer, work at home, so I do have a desk job - I had bypass surgery on a Thursday morning, home from hospital Saturday - on Monday, I was okay to check emails, etc., and I'd say working light and part time later that week, full-time by week 3. Of course, it helps I work at home - but, barring complications, (and everyone's different...), a couple of weeks off probably is fine -- search on here, there have been threads before about this very topic with lots of responses -- best of luck!

@@heav85 Yes, that is very common. Mine went over insurance info, allergies, meds I take, all that kind of stuff, so on the big day, a lot of the paperwork is taken care of. Be prepared, mine also asked for Living Will info, and all of that as well - you don't want to think about that, but it is important stuff, and they did ask me --

Honestly, this has been the absolute WORST problem/issue I've had w/my bypass surgery (almost 7 weeks post-op). I have a mini-OTC-pharmacy of fiber, laxatives, stool softeners, etc - ugh. After using Fleet enemas a couple of times (if ok w/your doc, highly recommended for fairly instant relief), I knew that I couldn't do that on a regular basis. Started w/stool softeners -- 2 every other day and stopped taking iron for a few days (also know this can't be a long-term solution). Then I started adding in half of my iron amount, and sure enough, got stopped-up again. Moved to 2 stool softeners every day and hoping/praying that works. As much water as I can drink, as well, which we need anyway... I don't think enough attention is paid to this issue, since I've spent (and I know others have as well...) time crying, straining, hemorroids bleeding (sorry if TMI), and nearly hyperventilating from straining -- it is a serious, can-be-debilitating issue. Just keep trying things until something works for you, and if it gets unbearable, keep bugging your doc/NUT.

@@uni2424 Good for you! My doc/NUT says NO CARBS, so I'm jealous of your mashed potatoes - )

@@msgemini75 Yes, I have, a little bit diff situation -- I wanted the sleeve, then found out my insurance only covers the band and bypass, so switched to bypass. However, in the meantime, my doc's office submitted to insurance for sleeve (after I had told them to switch to bypass since my insurance specifically doesn't cover sleeve). THEN I get a letter from insurance approving me for sleeve. Yes, sleeve, a procedure THEY DON'T COVER. I had to call insurance and point out to them the error of their ways, sheesh -- So anyway, long story short, they then approved me for bypass. I think if your insurance covers them both, they don't really care which procedure you get, just that you meet their criteria for surgery, whichever surgery that is -- PS - I'm now 5 weeks post-op bypass and doing well )

Turned 59 last October; had RNY in January. 4.5 weeks out, I've lost 29 lbs, plus 15 pre-op. Tried to have surgery for almost 10 years, but insurance specifically excluded it, year after year. Finally, this past fall, purchased my own policy and came off hubby's work policy - thank you Obamacare, because in Arizona, all Marketplace polices are required to cover WLS. Yes, it costs me monthly premium, plus my out-of-pocket max, but nowhere near what the surgery would cost self-pay, which we couldn't afford. So looking forward to my 60th b-day this coming October now--sure wouldn't have said that before surgery! I expect to be at least 100 lbs lighter than last year!

@@cosmogirl2535 I'm about 4.5 weeks post-op bypass -- I had originally wanted sleeve, which my surgeon agreed would be good for me. Honestly, there was a teeny-tiny voice in my head that said "yea; I'll eventually be able to eat some of my fave foods, just smaller amounts!" The other voice in my head said "I'm scared; I'll eventually be able to eat some of my fave foods" (same reason for both). However, I THEN found out my insurance only covers band and bypass. Back to doctor - he said bypass would be good for me too, and honestly, my little voice said "whew - I can never eat some of those foods" - yes, said, like divorcing someone/something you love, but I now feel confident I'll lose the weight I need to and keep it off. I have about 150 lbs to lose, and am losing at the rate of about 1 lb a day since surgery. I know that w/slow down, but so far, I'm very very happy with my bypass. And like the ladies you hear talking, I really haven't had much pain at all. Biggest problems so far have been fatigue, which starting getting significantly better at about week 3 after surgery, and constipation, which is an on-going battle with either surgery. I don't know if this is helpful, but best of luck w/your decisiion!

Great topic, I'm 3 weeks post-op bypass and the last 10 days or so have SUFFERED with severe constipation -- a Fleet enema helped SO MUCH yesterday, but that is obviously not an on-going solution. My dietitian suggested Dulcolax stool softener daily, so that is what I will try next (tried Metamucil and all I got was lots of cramps and not much action if you get my drift... ( ) I do think that doctors and dietitians should pay more attention to this issue and offer a real plan to ward it off if possible other than drinking more Water, because we're all trying to do that anyway. I think that they have never spent HOURS in the bathroom, straining to the point of almost hyperventilating and reduced to tears of pain, stress and frustration. Unless you've experienced how bad a problem this can be, I think the problem of severe constipation gets pooh-poohed - not pun intended, because it's NOT funny -