della street

I was 59 when I had bypass surgery; this was a little over 4 years ago. I'm down approx 150-160 lbs from a high of 390. Staying steady -- :O)

Oh Annie, I'm so sorry that happened to you :O( I feel your pain in that I was once denied a bone density test because their MRI machine (or whatever it was...) only would take up to 300 lbs -- I had to weigh in and was way more than that, so the tech pulled me aside and very nicely told me... I was so humiliated (some multi-hundred-thousand-dollar machine wouldn't "fit" me???) that it was years before I went back -- I'm two years out from bypass now and down 180 lbs, truly a life-changer - hang in there!

I had a personal trainer tell me that if you can only do 10-lb weights (instead of the 30-40 lb weights she was using...), then it really isn't worth your time. Really?? Don't we all have to start somewhere? Needless to say, not working w/her any more --

I live in AZ and for many years, hubby's employer-based policy (that also covered me) specifically excluded WLS surgery "even in cases of imminent death" (exact quote I will never forget from insurance company representative, ugh...) I am self-employed, and in Oct of 2014, I purchased a BCBS plan on the ACA Marketplace ("Obamacare") for just myself to cover me in 2015. We make too much $$ for a subsidy, but between the savings in not being on hubby's plan and what this plan cost, the difference was about $300/month - not insubstantial, but do-able, considering the policy covered WLS. I carried that policy all through 2015, going back on hubby's policy in Jan. 2016. I had gastric bypass surgery in January 2015 and have since lost approx 130 lbs (plus 50 lbs on doctor-supervised too-strict-to-follow-forever diet prior to that) for a total loss of approx 180 lbs over the last three years - 130 of which is directly attributable to WLS surgery. Since then, I no longer have sleep apnea, not pre-diabetic, all blood-work tests are good, and my quality of life is immeasurably improved! I feel incredibly fortunate that AZ, which is a state that is very backwards (IMHO) on many legislative-type issues, actually covers this - I was pretty shocked as a matter of fact. So while there are good/bad things about everything, to me, "Obamacare" and the ability to purchase my own insurance plan without regard to prior conditions (ie, obesity), literally saved my life. PS - these types of state-sponsored restrictions cover several other medical area such as infertility treatments and much more, as well - there are state-by-state coverage-mandates...

My only suggestion is to go slowly on the "spicier" cheeses, ie w/chives/onions, etc. I used to LOVE anything spicy - jalapenos, onions (in moderation), etc., but since surgery, no-can-handle them -- (

I used Dr Swain at Scottsdale Healthcare, now HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea (?) -- not for a revision, but for gastric bypass - he was terrific for me --

My story: Have wanted/needed WLS for at least the last ten years. I'm self-employed, so on hubby's employer-based insurance plan which expressly, 100% EXCLUDES/PROHIBITS any kind of WLS from coverage "even in cases of imminent death" -- exact quote I got from insurance company. Finally, the ACA (Obamacare) happened - I'm in AZ and we are one of the 23 states that must cover WLS if you purchase a plan on the Exchange. Last year, I went off hubby's plan, purchased my own plan - we make too much $$ for any subsidies, but that was fine because between the $$ we saved from me not being on hubby's plan versus what my plan cost, it was about $300/month difference - yes, a lot, but fortunately, was do-able for us. I had bypass surgery last January (2015) and have lost nearly 130 lbs (plus, I'd lost 50 the previous two years on a medically-supervised program; well, actually, I'd lost 100 but as soon as I went off the STUPIDLY STRICT, IMPOSSIBLE TO DO FOR VERY LONG medically-supervised program, I gained 50 of the 100 lbs I'd lost back, but at least I kept 50 of those off before I had surgery. So in the last 3 years, I've lost approx 180 lbs - well, 230 if you count the "other" 50 of the 100 I lost and then regained before surgery. Anyway, not to make this too complicated, but WLS saved my life! And if I hadn't had access to the ACA, we could never have afforded the $50K or so surgery and hospitalization costs. So, all I can say for me, is thank God for Pres. Obama and all the legislators who supported the ACA!!

@@Josey Quinn Oh Josey, do I feel for you and totally understand -- I was touring a home with a real estate agent and missed a step and fell down - HARD. In addition to being scared from a very bad fall, I also had to tell the very slender, wispy real estate agent to "please don't try to help me up because I don't want you to hurt yourself trying to lift me". Which was completely true, if she could have even helped me, which I doubt - but if she could have, I would have felt horrible if I hurt her because she tried to help someone up who probably weighed three times what she did. She was very gracious, but it was not only super-painful physically, but way more painful emotionally and in terms of the humiliation. I managed to paste an okay look on my face and hobble out of there, but once in my car, started sobbing from the pain - and embarrassment and humiliation. My knee swelled to twice its size by the time I got home - yada yada yada - orthopedic doctor's first words were 'you need to lose weight' - as if I didn't know that -- Anyway, there is hope--I had bypass surgery nearly a year ago - and I'm down 120 lbs!! Hang in there! Life is SOOOOOO much better at a somewhat normal weight!!

Love the Qwest choc chip cookie dough bars! Keep one/two in my purse at all times - order them on Amazon, get delivered right to my door. Yes, if you look at it like "$2 for a granola bar!" it sounds pricey, but -- it can be a meal or a very filling, healthy -- and tasty -- snack. How many of us wouldn't have batted an eyelash at shelling over $2 for large order of fries at McD's?

Wow DJ re your m-in-l -- mine was similar, ie, upon seeing my husband (her son) and me after a long absence, her first words to him were: "wow, you're some size!" -- ugh Anyway, that was years ago, but your comments reminded me of how stressful her visits were -- But back to the show - I totally agree, I think the shower/toilet scenes are humiliating and unnecessary to get the point across of the difficulties of everyday life at that size. I saw a rerun of Penny last night and literally could not watch for more than 5 minutes, she was/is such a prima donna a-hole, excuse my language -- I didn't know new shows were on, will have to set my DVR -

Try Vega One (I think that's the name?) -- I found it at Sprout's, but I'm sure it's plenty of other places as well - and the choc was very tasty!

Oh no, no, no, no, no -- hubby does NOT get a pass on this one -- First, and this is certainly in no way meant to make you feel bad, but I have to agree with a bunch of comments that there might be something 'fishy' going on between them - or at the very least, she's flirting with him with the whole straw thing - really? What is this, tenth grade??? And hubby, worrying more about her comfort than yours? No, no, no - time for a major sit-down, come-to-jeezus meeting with him. Next time, if there is a next time, call ahead yourself and reserve a table -- this really busts me up for you because it is so disrespectful on your husband's part, just MHO -- again, not saying to make you feel worse than you already do, but just to let you know you're not crazy - it definitely was disrespectful to you -- major hugs your way!

How did everyone do? I've got my first colonoscopy post-bypass scheduled soon and am worried about it

Any updates on this thread? I'll be scheduling my colonoscopy soon - first time after bypass -- thanks!

Following this thread - any other news about this? I've been diagnosed with both as well, thx!

@@ASUgrad Things are going really well! I'm almost exactly 6 months post-op (bypass w/Dr. Swain) -- and down 98 lbs!! He was great, very warm and friendly - the 'great surgeon' part goes w/o saying ) Best of luck!

Dannon Light and Fit Greek - Cherry is my fave! I add some cut up grapes and strawberries to it, and voila - it is fab as a meal or as a treat -- also have added choc protein powder (I use Vega One) to it, chilled it, and you have a super-tasty shake/frosty-type delight )

@@bwaydiva I live in AZ, so I don't know if this would apply to you in CA or not, but I purchased BCBS of AZ on the Exchange (Obamacare) here in AZ last fall (hubby's work-policy specifically excluded WLS for years, ugh, so I purchased my own policy. Became effective 1-1-15; I had surgery 1-29-15. I did some of the pre-op NUT visits last December and some were paid by my hubby's policy that I was on at that time, even though they wouldn't pay for the surgery, go figure. But I wanted a head-start on the to-do list, so that when my policy became effective 1-1, I'd be as ready as poss. Info submitted shortly after 1-1; got approval within 2-3 days; got surgery scheduled for about 3 weeks after that.

@@sunshinetinaz Often, your surgeon/hospital offers support groups - I had surgery at Scottsdale Healthcare and they have both online and in-person groups --

I was just going to mention ice -- if you have Sonic drive-ins near you, they have soft crushed ice - I'd go get several large cups (yes, they thought I was weird, lol), but it was cheap and helped with missing chewing and crunching - )

@@KDM74 Yea you! Add some PB2 powder to your shake -- that might help too! I am going-on-five-months after bypass and the first 3 weeks, I was sooooo tired, but right about week 3, that let up and I started getting my energy back - so hang in there!

Oh, and don't get me started on the HORRIBLE doctor who I only went to once after she went on and on during a biopsy (before Mirena) about how "if you're big on the outside, you're big on the inside and I might have to call in a special team to do the biopsy" -- all while her arm is shoved inside me and probing around. All I could think was what I freak show I must be if she was going to "call in a special team" who would all be staring at my private parts. ugh, ugh UGH. Then found great doctor who treated me with respect...even at 300+ lbs.

I've had the Mirena for about 3 years now -- had bypass surgery 4+ months ago. What I can tell you re my experience w/the Mirena is that is has been a life-changing positive experience for me!! I had EXTREMELY heavy periods for about 5 years during peri-menopause, probably starting in my early 50's (now 59). I mean, and sorry if TMI, passing HUGE clots, soaking thru super-tampons and multiple pads, etc. Finally found an OB-GYN who understood and with my weight (highest was 390), she was concerned I might have uterine or ovarian cancer. Biopsies later, thank goodness, did not, but she highly recommended the Mirena for controlling my periods even though I didn't need it for b/c. It literally changed my life for the better! After a few weeks, during which I had slight spotting here and there, my periods just stopped. To go from "afraid to go anywhere because when I stand up I pass clots" to "normal" was amazing. Before my bypass surgery, I did ask if losing weight would possibly make it come "loose", which might sound silly, but I was a bit concerned, and was told no. This doesn't exactly answer your questions, but since you mentioned Mirena, I wanted to let you know what a positive thing it has been for me. Best of luck!

@@2young4this How are you today? Did you go to the ER or get in to see a doctor?

@HazelMotes I'm also self-employed, I'm a writer -- I had bypass on a Thursday, home on Saturday, responding to emails Sunday, light working starting that Monday -- I was tired and took breaks, but like you, I had tried to get several "heavy lifting" (no pun intended, lol) projects out of way so that the first couple of weeks after surgery would be lighter than normal. As stated earlier, everyone's different, but that is my experience. Now 4+ months post-surgery, down about 80 lbs.