no onions

@@IcanMakeit That seems like a good point. I've heard that as well, but have never tried it for recreation or medical.

Awesome! (and the obligatory Go Mizzou, Go Sarah!)

Congratulations and thank you so much for posting your story and photos. This helps motivate me a ton, or should I say bunch. I think I'll say bunch.

I appreciate this info. so much! I'm going to go out and buy a Keurig (though I'll have to try and find an older model since Keurig now checks for authorized k-cups, or some such nonsense).

I read this experience with her employer and felt white-hot righteous indignation on the OPs behalf. I hope the OP is able to work this out in her favor. Good luck!

@@reebat Where are you finding k-cup soups? I read something about Campbell's creating a product, but haven't found anything online. I must not be googling the right thing? Thanks in advance!

I've noticed over the last few days quite a few duplicate posts. It would be nice if there was a way to prevent them and/or clean them up.

@@Sparklingbeauty53 Nooooo. I hope I don't crave them. People I know wouldn't know what to think. If I mistakenly eat something that has raw red or white onion I gag and heave. It's very dramatic (or I'm very dramatic about it).

I appreciate you sharing this as well!

Hi @@Newlife@55 & @@Pepper123 Thank you both!

My Story – so far. This is a bit of a ramble. Hi everyone! I want to take a moment to thank you all for making Bariatric Pal such a great resource for people who are considering WLS or have had WLS. I am in the “considering” category myself. I am considering a program in the St. Louis area through BJC and Washington University Physicians. I attended my first seminar on Wednesday January 28 and have an appointment with the nurse practitioner and the patient coordinator next Thursday, February 5. The information provided on Bariatric Pal (the good, the bad and the ugly) prepared me for the seminar and has given me a level of comfort with the idea of WLS in general. I look forward to finding out more about my program and insurance requirements (no special insurance hoops, except BMI, but fully expect some administrative hiccups). I am 41 years old and at my highest weight – 332 lbs. (a month ago – who knows it is possibly higher today) and at 5’9” I feel miserable, physically. I had the unwanted experience of not fitting in a restaurant booth last weekend. I knew that day could be coming, but was surprised when it happened. I can lose weight with no problem. I have not been able to maintain a normal weight despite extreme efforts – I know many of you can relate. Like many of you, I have a closet full of clothes from medium shirts to 4x, pants from 34” waist to 50” waist – the s t r e t c h y “comfort waist” kind of 50” waist pants. I have not been fat my entire life, but it has been many years since I have been at a reasonable and healthy weight. My comorbidities include sleep apnea and (at the cusp of having a) fatty liver. For the moment, no diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol, but I know that could be coming – our bodies are amazing, but can only compensate so long at this weight. I am very likely to choose surgery. I need new tools and strategies in the weight-loss effort. I will definitely post some photos later. I resist being in photos now (many of you understand what I mean). Best wish to everyone on this journey. Please keep posting the good, the bad and even the ugly – it helps! -no onions (I hate them severely – I hope my “tastes” do not change after surgery).

@wannaBthinsoon Awesome for you! Hoping for the best!

In general weight-loss, it's always harder to lose the last bit of weight, so I suspect it is no different with WLS surgery. In the past, I've had to kick-up the exercise. I'm pre WLS surgery, but I think what I said still would apply. Hopefully some post WLS surgery folks will have some amazing tips! Good luck!

@gobsmacked @ready2B@Anne BG@@DroppinLikeItsHot Thank you all for your comments. If I have surgery, I hope my result is similar to what you mentioned (gobsmacked). That would be fantastic to not need the medicine any longer. AnneBG - the medicines really do help for this problem, at least in my case (and some others on this thread. Good luck all!

Technology is amazing! I won't lie, the picture you linked - I thought it looked like some kind of robotic spider. http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/health/med-tech/the-robotic-doctor-is-in-15204883

We are redoing our bathroom and I considered getting one of these... Just for general purposes - I haven't had surgery yet so cannot speak to this possible issue. If I have surgery and this becomes an issue then I might break down and buy this seat. Purefresh Scented and Lighted Toilet Seat http://www.us.kohler.com/us/Purefresh-Scented-and-Lighted-Toilet-Seat/content/CNT115100007.htm

I feel like people have opinions on this topic (Obamacare) that are not supported by facts. I cannot find any rational (legit) source that indicates mom & pop pharmacies are being destroyed (by Obamacare). Now -- I did find an older article that said the Express Scripts-Medco merger could have a negative effect on independents.

This is a very interesting idea!

I don't know why, probably the late hour and the need for sleep, but the cat picture posted a few screens up (flounce flounce) made me think of Toonces the "Driving Cat" ... flounce. You know this cat flounces out to his/her car and flounces on down the road listening to... metal? pop? npr?

@@Walter Lindstrom Jr. - thanks so much for the reply. That is really very helpful/informative!

Hi everyone, long time lurker, first-time poster. Any thoughts or comments to my topic are certainly welcome. On the advice of my gastroenterologist and primary care physician, I began to explore WLS surgery in the summer of 2014. My 2014 insurance coverage specifically excluded WLS surgeries, etc. To prepare for the possibility of WLS surgery, I switched to a new plan offered by my employer that does cover WLS surgery. I called UHC today to find out details about the requirements for WLS surgery. What I was told: WLS surgery is covered if recognized by the NIH as effective for treating long-term morbid obesity. Specific surgeries mentioned by the rep (verbatim), but not limited to: gastric bypass, gastric banding, roux-en-y and vertical banded gastroplasty. No requirements - no 6 month supervised diet, in fact, nothing mentioned about BMIs or comorbidities. It is not possible to get this in writing (apparently) and the documenation is unpublished to the insured individual on the MYUHC website. I have followed the boards long enough to know that insurance can be a big stumbling block for some. I am not at all convinced that I was given accurate information. I quizzed the rep several times and made certain to document the conversation (names, dates, reference numbers, etc). I guess I will know more once a surgeon actually sends off for pre-certification, but I just find the lack of requirements so odd.

Thank you for the replies. WannaB - I'm planning to do that (call back in to see if I get a different answer). :-) onmyway - the rep said something similar to me about my employer's plan (she's never seen one quite like it). I'm also planning to follow-up with the WLS program I'm interested in next week and may just allow them to submit on my behalf and see what happens. Good luck to you both as well.