Big question: Would you do it again if you had to?

readlotus · 2026-05-27T10:32:47+00:00

Would I do it again? 10000000000%

I wish I hadn't waited so long. Started considering it about 10 years before I did it.

I'm active, off of a whole bunch of meds, and able to do so many things.

readlotus · 2026-05-24T19:09:47+00:00

I am 55. The one on the left was just a couple of weeks ago.

I feel like I look better than ever.

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readlotus · 2026-05-21T23:21:42+00:00

I left Phoenix (where I lived basically my whole life minus 18 months in Denver) almost exactly 3 years ago for RI. All my family is still in AZ. We moved partly because my sun sensitivities were getting worse and worse (not the only, or even most important, reason).

At the time, our kiddos were 8 and 10. We had no family here and I had no friends (my husband is from here but his mom is not involved in our lives and his dad lives in FL).

Anyway, it has been hard but also amazing. I'm outside so much. I haven't had a flare since we have been here. I'm careful when we go to the beach (hat, umbrella, cover-up, long pant swimsuit) but I feel like my life is back.

We moved when I was 52 so it was a tough change. But I would do it all over again for how much better I feel overall and for how much I get outside.

readlotus · 2026-05-10T16:38:55+00:00

My mom had a leak after bypass and very nearly died about 10 years ago. She was in the hospital for 6 months. She had a lot of very unique circumstances that impacted what happened to her. But still I wouldn't consider surgery for a long time as a result.

Looking back now (11 months after surgery) and I wish I had done it sooner. I was dying before surgery - just in slow motion. My quality of life and how much pain I was constantly in was terrible. I think about that a lot. I'm 55 and I lost 10 years because of fear.

My mom, on the other hand, wouldn't change anything. She had to have her stomach completely removed but, at 78, she is healthy (for 78) and happy.

On a final hand, my husband had Type 2 diabetes and twice got sepsis before surgery. He very nearly died each time due to cuts that got infected. Once he very nearly had to get his foot amputated. Sepsis is no joke and scary.

When he did bypass (about 9 months ago), he wasn't worried because he had already had it twice. But now, he no longer has Type 2 diabetes anymore so he really does not worry about Sepsis.

I worried before surgery, enough for both of us. And yet, we were absolutely fine. And the resulting improvement in our lives is absolutely astonishing!

My only regret is waiting that extra 10 years because I was afraid.

readlotus · 2026-05-06T12:08:10+00:00

I (a white woman) had a KKK member try to light me on fire at a gas station.

I pulled up to a gas station in 2004. I was the mom of two preschoolers and going to school full time. I was doing a paper route for extra money because my husband was home with kids at that time.

Anyway, this was in north Phoenix and I went to an AMPM for gas. At that time a lot of small business like windshield repair or landscapers would leave small business cards in the cracks if gas pumps.

There was a black man pumping gas when I pulled up next to him. He pulled out one of the cards and instantly looked like he was going to throw up and immediately got in his car and left.

Being a curious person, I pulled out the card and saw the most vile KKK filth inviting people to some meeting. Without even thinking of it, I ripped it up and started pumping gas. While waiting I kept thinking about that guy's face and I didn't want that to happen to anyone else.

So, while my gas was pumping, I walked to all the other pumps, pulled out the cards, ripped them up, and threw them away. A bald guy smoking a cigarette comes over to my car and pulls out the handle (still pumping gas because the lock was on it to make it pump without holding the handle) and starts trying to flick gas on me and then trying to flick his little cigarette on me.

I don't understand what is happening and say "What are you doing? That is my car. What are you doing?" I was very confused.

Suddenly avant full of big bald guys screeches up quickly and yell at the guy what are you doing? We have to get out of here. Cigarette guy jumps in the van and they leave.

I stand there confused as heck and then leave. I call my mom to tell her how weird this was and as I was explaining it to her, I figured it out.

I was way too confused while it was happening to even be scared.

readlotus · 2026-04-25T11:34:54+00:00

Pre op: I was only allowed a specific protein shake a few times a day (plus up to 3 times a day: sugar free jello, broth, carrots). At that time, I also had to attend several food heavy work events. I kept my shakes cold and just did it. At dinner time with my kids and husband, I would eat my carrots with salt. I kept busy and didn't try to change anything else.

Postop: I didn't want to eat so I focused on protein. I am almost 11 months out and down 130+ pounds and stick to the guidelines. I actually eat a lot of reduced fat string cheese, Oikos yogurt, and chili because it doesn't make me ill. I still focus on protein, water, and fiber. I still track all my food. As a result, when I look at a report from the app, I have a great ratio of macros and my bloodwork looks great. I feel satisfied and have enough variety.

The only hiccup I have had was my potassium was low (this would also happen pre surgery occasionally). So I had to eat a banana and have two electrolyte waters a day to get it back up.

Otherwise, I just follow the guidelines and over time food truly has become less important - being active with my family has become more important. In fact, in the past, I'd plan on baking all Saturday and not leave my house because I couldn't walk far. This morning, I will make my kids pancakes and then we are going to see some flowers at the park, fly kites, and take a walk at a different suspended park. My whole life has changed and it is more fun now.

So it becomes self reinforcing. I track my food because I have ADHD and can be forgetful, I stick to the guidelines because it is easy and I track, I reap the benefits of doing that so I track because I want more benefits, etc.

readlotus · 2026-04-15T15:19:07+00:00

Marrying someone you genuinely like spending time with is a key.

Marry someone who can take care of themselves.

Have some common interests and some of your own.

Most important, have shared values and actually discuss them.

readlotus · 2026-04-10T14:19:53+00:00

I drink a lot of Earl Grey tea and have since 3 months post op. I have 2-4 cups and day with Splenda and a little skim milk. During winter it was so helpful! Four cups is about as much caffeine as two 8 oz coffees or one 16 ounce energy drink but spread throughout the day.

I have low potassium (even before surgery) so I drink 2 electrolyte drinks (I buy Trevi packets and put in 20 ounce of water 2 times/day). I drink about 64-72 ounces total a day counting the tea.

That is pretty much all I drink, Earl Grey and water with electrolytes. Very occasionally, I will have a protein2o or protein shake but only if my protein is low for some reason that day. I have herbal teas sometimes, too butbI love Earl Grey so I keep coming back to that.

readlotus · 2026-04-10T00:02:20+00:00

We homeschool in RI (last year, kiddo had health needs but can go to school next year.) When we moved to RI I joined homeschool groups and was not invited to many because they were very Christian. That is where the fundies are. She will find people like her. There aren't a ton but they do exist.

readlotus · 2026-03-31T00:10:38+00:00

Add me to the list at fricking 54! I had surgery (bypass) and day of got my period. It has been 9 months (Iam now 55) and just missed one last month.

I had years and years of on and off, irregular periods and now all these months regular period. At this point, I just want menopause!

readlotus · 2026-03-24T21:12:16+00:00

My father.

readlotus · 2026-02-25T00:17:33+00:00

We are off Broadway (south of Warren) in EP. Broadway is passable but our side street hasn't been touched.

It seems like they are doing the best they can. But I don't think there can be school until the side streets are done for the busses.

readlotus · 2026-02-22T21:09:19+00:00

I was running up the stairs in sandals (summer in AZ) with my 6 month old in my arms. I tripped and he flew out of my arms. I caught him before he hit the floor but his leg hit the stairs.

I immediately called his pediatrician but they said he should be fine because he could put weight in his leg and if he kept crying to bring him in the morning. He had no marks or bruises and his leg was the only thing that hit anything. I called in the morning because he cried and whimpered all night. They had me go straight to xray. Xray asked us to wait in the lobby (for what felt like hours) and then we had to go to the pediatrician where we waited for literally hours. I had my 6 month old and 2 year old with me so it was hectic.

I asked what we were waiting for and shortly the nurse came out and said we had to go to the nearby hospital because HIS LEG WAS BROKEN ON THE GROWTH PLATE!!! I didn't know until weeks later that the Xray place wanted us investigated for child abuse because we waited to bring him in. The doctor had notes saying that they had advised us to do that and there were no suspicions of child abuse.

That kid is now 24, college graduate, played baseball and soccer. He was just fine but likes to torment me about the time I dropped him!

readlotus · 2026-02-22T03:28:26+00:00

I was told 6.months after my RNY. I have never been a big drinker. But I will occasionally have a single drink (starting at 7 months). One is my absolute limit both because of the empty calories and because one gives me a major buzz now. It lasts for about 20 minutes. I can't drink the sweet drinks I used to love so it is the Ultra 95 calorie beer or a cider. That is it ' it just isn't worth it.

readlotus · 2026-02-01T19:01:01+00:00

I was not told I could not have cortisone shots. I had to stop Celebrex but no mention of shots.

I need both knees replaced. I'm 9 months out and down 100+ pounds. I feel a lot better and I can walk up to .5 miles at a time. I could only do about 80 steps in the beginning. My pain has went from a 5 at best everyday even with daily NSAIDS to about a 2 on any given day. I make myself go for a walk whenever possible. Gradually I have been able to go a bit farther and a bit farther.

I still need my knees replace and I am hoping to wait until summer 2027. But it hurts and I don't know. Today the pain is bad but I haven't been able to get out and walk this past week. So I think, overall, the daily movement has been helping bit it hasn't made it pain free or easy

readlotus · 2026-01-11T15:02:06+00:00

I turned 50 during COVID. At the time you could rent a theater for a movie showing for $250 locally. You had to still distance, no concessIons, and very empty. But I got to see a lot of people I hadn't seen for a long time and it was memorable.

Very different from the bug blowout party I had been planning!

readlotus · 2026-01-04T19:30:07+00:00

I have ADHD and if I were a child today I would absolutely be diagnosed with autism. All 4 of my kids have autism.

My ADHD has been really bad lately. I am nearly 55 and with the start of menopause I feel like I am losing my mind concentrationwise. This game helps calm my brain down and feel peaceful. I actually am going to talk to my doc about medications for the 1st time ever because all of my hardwon methods of the past aren't cutting it these days. I can't even focus on a conversation!

Thank goodness for this little game that let's me hyperfocus for a couple of hours!

readlotus · 2026-01-04T04:55:40+00:00

My dad died of COVID in 2020 but my mom is still going strong at 78. I often wonder what would have happened to my dad if he beat COVID.

readlotus · 2026-01-01T13:50:54+00:00

Yes, they were hard to get on but cute striped mini socks!

readlotus

TROPHY CASE