Fluffy

Hi everyone, I have been so so so so blue waiting and waiting and waiting for approval from my insurance. They made me go through a 6 month dieting program that I had to pay for out of pocket, even though I had already done everything on the planet. It HAD TO be "medically" supervised, and regular appointments with my doctor didn't matter. So, I paid out of pocket and had to make these appts last 6 months. What I learned was that I will not lose any weight and in fact gain on what the dietician had me doing. I cann't have carbs!! She doesn't get that. She doesn't agree with low carbing at all. But, I gained weight on her program and they just don't think I am trying hard enough. It makes me sooooo upset. When I followed the high protein shake plan that the WLS place put me on I lost 20 pounds. It was low carb and high protein. That is what I need. ANYWAY, I am just complaining now. I have been so excited and I want to get on with this NOW. But my insurance denied me AGAIN because I need to "finish" this program. My last appt. needs to be a final weigh in, I am supposed to have lost at least something to "prove" that I can stick to a diet plan (if I could stick to a diet plan why would I be going with WLS ?) and at this appt I have to present weeks of food logs that I have no kept up on. My 3 year old rips them apart and things are just so crazy in my house (I have 6 kids ages 1 up to 11) so, trying to keep food logs is really really hard. C MY QUESTION: Does anyone have suggestions on how to put together a food log to turn in to this dietician to finish, and finally get on with having the WLS? I am supposed to count amounts, and starches, meats, dairy, that sort of thing. I think it's comparable to a weight watchers thing. Thank you to anyone who has suggestions!!

Hi everyone, I have been so so so so blue waiting and waiting and waiting for approval from my insurance. They made me go through a 6 month dieting program that I had to pay for out of pocket, even though I had already done everything on the planet. It HAD TO be "medically" supervised, and regular appointments with my doctor didn't matter. So, I paid out of pocket and had to make these appts last 6 months. What I learned was that I will not lose any weight and in fact gain on what the dietician had me doing. I cann't have carbs!! She doesn't get that. She doesn't agree with low carbing at all. But, I gained weight on her program and they just don't think I am trying hard enough. It makes me sooooo upset. When I followed the high Protein shake plan that the WLS place put me on I lost 20 pounds. It was low carb and high Protein. That is what I need. ANYWAY, I am just complaining now. I have been so excited and I want to get on with this NOW. But my insurance denied me AGAIN because I need to "finish" this program. My last appt. needs to be a final weigh in, I am supposed to have lost at least something to "prove" that I can stick to a diet plan (if I could stick to a diet plan why would I be going with WLS ?) and at this appt I have to present weeks of food logs that I have no kept up on. My 3 year old rips them apart and things are just so crazy in my house (I have 6 kids ages 1 up to 11) so, trying to keep food logs is really really hard. C MY QUESTION: Does anyone have suggestions on how to put together a food log to turn in to this dietician to finish, and finally get on with having the WLS? I am supposed to count amounts, and starches, meats, dairy, that sort of thing. I think it's comparable to a weight watchers thing. Thank you to anyone who has suggestions!!

I have jumped through hoops and hoops and am waiting on the letter from insurance to let me know if I can go ahead this month now. I PRAY it comes tomorrow. I want to get this done. When I get a date maybe I can join you gals and be your partners!!

Hello! Looks like I am the first one here. I was supposed to get banded in April, then May, and then we finally figured out that my insurance won't pay for it till I have been specifically and ONLY for weight loss (visits for that topic only) for 6 mos. So that's where I am at. After 6 mos of doctoring for weight loss if I have not lost weight I will be approved for the lapband. So, looks like it will be my Christmas present!!!! Let's hope!!! Anyone else aiming for December?? :whoo:

I am really impressed with how we can discuss things here that are controversial and we can all stay civil about it. Debates are great, and there is no reason to get nasty, but in many forums that is exactly what occurs. I respect our presidents, I respect my elders, I try to always be respectful of people in general, their rights, their beliefs, etc.. But with President Bush, I SUPER respect him. How's that? LOL. I really do like and appreciate him more than I respect people in general. :-) Of course then there are very FEW people that I do not respect at all, like say, Osama Bin Laden or the folks who protest the military funerals (I will not go as far as to dignify their existence by stating their "name" here). But, I do NOT respect them. So I guess I can't say I respect everyone I guess.

I think a person can be proud of themselves too, of course, such as if we lose weight and gain our health back and take good care of ourselves that would be something to be very proud of. And if we graduate from high school and then perhaps college and whatever other achievements -- those are things to be proud of. I did not realize there were so many definitions of pride though. As you thought, there is one that states this, "a high or inordinate opinion of one's own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing, conduct, etc." The kind of pride I feel for our President is a little closer to this definition, "someone or something cherished, valued, or enjoyed". You raise a very interesting point though, because it seems that the definition of pride is much more about how a person feels about themselves rather than how they feel about someone else.... I have never thought of it like that - I am always proud of my husband, my children, and others. I don't very often use the word in a way that means I am proud of MYSELF.

I think that in MOST cases, out of respect, I "support" our presidents because I believe it's the right thing to do. I also support our military men and women and veterans. But I am PROUD of this president - not only support him - but very proud of him and the job he has done. I even had a dog named "Dubya". I am proud of President Bush like I will be proud of my children when they graduate from college or whatever.... PRIDE. American pride. Not only proud of my country but proud of my leader. Not only supportive of our military but very proud of them. And NO, I am not PRO WAR. I am, however, PRO VICTORY. God bless ~

Ooh my goodness gracious sakes oh life. For heaven's sake! ROTFLM*soon-to-be-not-fat*AO.

Missy is RIGHT ON THE MONEY! We absolutely DO NOT talk like that. The only time I ever say "Yeah, You Betcha!" Is when I am making fun of that movie. It's really very poorly represented "us" in that way, even though it was a work of fiction (somehow folks seem to think that part of it is true, we all talk like that and listen to accordion music). The other thing is, the only part of the whole movie that was even IN north dakota was the shot in the bar in Fargo. Why they named the whole movie Fargo is beyond me. On a really funny side note, my dad is an accordion player and king of polka music. SERIOUSLY. LOLLLLLLLLLL!

I was scheduled for May 10th and now that was cancelled until they hear back that I am approved. I have BCBSIL. I called the ins co and they said it takes 7 business days but that they have NOT received anything from the lapband coordinator to approve. So I called back the surgery center and asked why and they said that they're waiting for the psych eval to come back before they can send in all the stuff. Well, the psychologist told me I was approved by him and he'd get it typed up that day. That was on the 16th. So I am just really annoyed right now. I REALLY wanted the 10th to be the date but now even if it all gets approved fast they have cancelled the 10th and will have to reschedule at the soonest on the 17th. I AM SOOOOO DISAPPOINTED. What I want to ask those of you with BCBS of IL is if you got approved without have a medically supervised diet plan documented. I meet EVERY criteria and then some and have tried every diet known to man, but the only thing I ever did medically supervised was Meridia. My doctor has been my doctor since 2000 and of course has my medical problems and obesity documented so that should be really good. THOUGHTS?? We tried to do medically supervised dieting but my ins at that time wouldn't pay for it so, we just did all kinds of other things (nutrisystem and all kinds of crap).

I lived over by Lisbon for a short time. I hated it. Absolutely HATED IT. I lived in Dickinson for most of my life, actually lived in Hazen too and have a lot of family there. Anyway, now in Bismarck and love it. I went to college in Fargo and it was a hard time in my life...... dirt poor, starving college student, ya know, didn't help my impression of the town much. But At least there are a lot of things going on there.

Yep me too (recommend talking to pharmacist). I take glucophage extended release and I think I will have to go off of that and onto the regular in order to break them up. One other extended release I am on too that I will have to go off of and onto regular for the time that I will need to cut them up.

Well I am not there yet but this is what they told me. Anything large crush or cut into smaller pieces. Anything small should be fine. Anything that you can get in a liquid or a chewable form, and you'd be surprised if you asked your pharmacist what's available in liquid or chewable forms, should be done. I personally take glucophage and it's a big old horse pill, times 4 per day..... so I am gonna have to do something with that for sure.

You wish for people to make informed, educated decisions, to be thoughtful about everything they do in life, not just walk through it all blindly. I think that's definitely a good thing to wish for people.

How dare you! *laughing*

Amy, I agree with you. I would feel bad if someone close to me didn't share it and want my support through it. Today I blogged about it and sent the blog to all my family and friends who don't actually read my blog (that I know of). So the cat is out of the bag. I figure everyone will be supportive and it will be that much better for me, and if someone isn't supportive then, well, that's not my problem right? So, we will see how it goes. I am kind of excited to hear some responses from my friends and family........ I wait eagerly........

Just an update on my decision about who to tell....... I have told a few people and part of me regrets it (not for any reason regarding their behavior or reactions, just because I told and I am not sure if I want to or not). But I have a REALLY hard time keeping secrets, especially when it is something that I think may help others. I am an advocate for women's health (mostly in the PCOS area) and if this helps me I feel like it's almost selfish of me NOT to share it with others, so, I have shared it in my blog. But I don't know how many people in my REAL life read my blog. It's not hidden or anything, I just don't think they bother to read it. Perhaps I would be surprised, I don't know. So all my blog readers know. A lot of my ONLINE buddies know. In "real life" my mom and one sibling know, a niece knows, and my husband knows. So we will see how far it goes. Part of me wants to lose weight and take all the credit for it myself and not tell anyone HOW I do it. Ya know? Almost like I am cheating by doing this or something.........

Sunta, Though I disagree with some of the things you have to say I definitely think that your thoughts would make a great blog. It is interesting, and I am not offended... I don't really care what anyone thinks about what I am doing with my life. Seriously, I just don't go there. I always try to remember to examine the log in my own eye before I toss stones at anyone else. So I am pretty accepting of other people's opinions even if I don't share them. Anyhoo, back to the blog thing, I really think that you'd make an interesting blogger about this stuff and probably much more, from the sounds of what you have to say. Mommy of 6 & would LOVE to adopt a bunch more someday Older kids who are unwanted by others but would be loved by me and my family.... a dream.... perhaps someday will happen....

Doddie, My heart goes out to you. I hope your brother doesn't suffer. I don't even know how or why people say that, I guess, because we know that with cancer they do suffer...... but, we wish they didn't. But... Just know that my heart knows how your heart is feeling right now and I am sending you a great big cyber hug!! I have a sister left too. She and I have never been close. The sister we lost was like the glue that held us all together. So it's a tough road right now. I hope things with you and your sister are soon on the mend.

I am in Bismarck (well, in the country about 10 miles out) and I am doctoring with Dr. Schmit at Mid-Dakota. Is that where you're going? I am so excited to hear about your weight loss. I can't wait to say that!! Are you not in Bis.? Where are you may I ask?

Yeah.... that's definitely the farthest thing from anything to do with what I consider to be quiverfull or even religious. I am so far away from anything like that... not racist. Not judgemental. Nothing like that.

Wheetsin I know the movement and groups of people you're referring to. What I am saying is that there are others who consider themselves to be quiverfull but don't all believe in the same things... such as some quiverfull minded people believe they should have LOTS of kids, while others believe they should have however many they can have without the use of birth control OR fertility help which in some cases means NONE, or only few. Some are really really really religious and believe they're raising an army of God-fearing people to make the world a better place. Others are not nearly that religious and just believe they're having however many kids God intends them to have and they're just trying to raise them to be good people and that's the end of it. The spectrum of definitions for today's quiverfull people is really not nearly as cut and dry as many would think. Now, I didn't go into great detail in my post when I said that I used to believe that I was quiverfull minded.... but here is the rest of that story. I have my 6 kids and I believe that my quiver is full. I also needed fertility meds for 5 of my 6 kids. Now I am having a tubal ligation to ensure that I don't have any more. Because I believe I have my quiverfull. I don't believe that I need to physically continue to procreate as long as I physically can, I believe that God lets me know in his own ways that my quiver is full and it's okay for me to stop having children via permanent birth control or whatever. I also refused to believe that God meant for me to have NO children because I had to use fertility drugs to conceive the first 5 of them. I believe that God gave me the tools, the brain, the medical information, the doctors, etc. to make these decisions with his guideance. Keep in mind that the way I believe makes me somewhat of an outcast to other quiverfull minded people who have different definitions for the full quiver and how you get there. I don't think that people can make a judgment based on the term because each and every family is different and each and every couples quiverfull is defined a bit differently. It's sort of like religion in general. Some of us are Christians but really pretty darned normal and then others are Christians who quote the Bible every other sentence, condemn others and cast judgement on others, condemn make-up, hair cutting and pants on women, even the use of cars and modern day technology. There are varying degrees to all of it.

I would have to completely and fully agree with you Lizrbit. Your genitals, Your business. It's like I tell my husband...... No uterus, no opinion! HA!

yyev How are you doing now?? In Bismarck too!!

I love President Bush. I proudly support him. I am also the state services captain for the Patriot Guard Riders here in ND and very proud to support our troops and vets. I love Rush too!