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!

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!

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!

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!!

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 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 have had some terrible experiences with personal trainers...some of them really just dont get it. Sent from my SM-G928T using the BariatricPal App

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 --

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?

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 -- (

Celebrated my 125 pounds lost with some ink - my first!!!
I knew as soon as I started this journey that I would document it in some way with a tattoo. After reading some of Glennon Melton Doyle, I knew what I'd want my tattoo to say - "I can do hard things". Just because something is hard or challenging isn't an excuse to not do it. I have done hard things, I will do hard things, I CAN do hard things. Now every time I look at my feet, I'll be reminded that I am strong and capable of doing hard things.
The flowers are just some plumeria that remind me of tropical vacations.

My advice to you is....
1) if you haven't already, contact the landlord to let them know what has happened and when you moved out.
2) Girl go get your stuff and forget the rest. Especially the helping him pack. I totally get the financial worries, but the sooner you cut your ties, the sooner you are able to move forward.
Money does add strain, but your mental health is far more important!!!
YOU GOT THIS!!!

And I had surgery last week at Scottsdale Healthcare w/Dr. Swain - he was fab - there are two other surgeons there, also with great reputations - Dr. Robin Blackstone and Dr. Jason Reynoso --

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!!

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!!

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!!

Oh, the support group I went to was very motivating. The moderator was a no show so a couple of women, sleevers, who were still obese after losing around 50#, and scarcely losing anymore spent the meeting talking about donuts and fair food. I never went back, but it solidified in my mind what I DIDN'T want to be. You can't keep food as your" lover" and expect to become normal size/weight.

@@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!!

@@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!!

@@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!!

@@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!!

@@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!!

Exactly. The last thing I worry about these days are my food costs.
I keep a two boxes of the Quest bags of chips on hand at all times. Sometimes a bag of those chips (120 calories @ 20 grams of protein) with some picante sauce (10 calories) as a meal.....dinner after a long day at work.
Their bars are great working lunches.
Usually have my shake in the car on the way to work.

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?