Ceradad

I agree, it used to be, and still can be. But, now it is the birthmothers choice. Adoption agencies, more and more, are going to "open" adoptions. This allows both the birthmother and the child to have interaction with each other. It allows the child to see where they come from. It is no longer the closed "secret" it used to be. And, you don't think abortion leaves scars? If that is what you think, you are deluding yourself. I would imagine it would be tougher on most women later in life knowing they aborted a child than it would be to know they gave birth to a child and allowed the child to grow up in a loving, caring environment. I'm not trying to attack anyone, just stating there are other options out there. To state that adoption leaves scars on the mother and not abortion is just not considering all the consequences of the situation. Now, as an adoptee, adoption also leaves scars on the child. Especially, adults who were adopted in the age of "closed" adoptions where we have no rights whatsoever. However, at least we are alive. And, to me, my daughter, my wife and my extended family, that is a very good thing.

Yes, ultimately that is what it is intended for. We found out about the law after Ashley chose us and we had known about the situation with the birthfather. The adoption agency told us the birthfather had 30 days after the birth to register with the state. If he didn't, he was considered to have abandoned Cera and gave up all parental rights. It was a loooooooong 30 days for us.

It's all good Stef. Thanks for putting in all the work on the spreadsheet.

Understood, Blund. I took no real offense. This is an issue that brings on alot of debate. I'm a big boy (not for too much longer though:biggrin:) and can take it. As for the law, I don't know overall, but this came up in our adoption of our daughter. We only met Ashley, Cera's birthmother, and her dad. The birthfather was from another state. We could tell there was alot of issues with the birthfather as he was apparently much older that Ashley (she was 17 at the time) and what had happened. We found out about the law at that point. It was a long 30 days after she was born, but we didn't have much doubt about it. As for rapists, he would have to admit he did the crime to be able to see the child. Not very likely to happen unless caught. Then, he would have to be aware of the pregnancy, or register with the state knowing of the law. Not likely.

Ok, first off, I gave my reasons for why I feel the way I feel. Secondly, the state of MN has the right idea. Their law states that a father KNOWS of the consequences are of having unprotected sex. Therefore, he has 30 days after 9 mos of the sex to register with the state to find out if the woman has had a baby. If he does not do this, it is considered abandonment and he gives up all rights as a father.

I just found this and will state my reasons as to why I voted Pro Life. First, I was adopted in 1970. Roe v. Wade was not in existence at that time, but my birthmother still could have gotten a "back alley" abortion had she chosen. She was an RN. Still may be, have never looked her up. 2nd, my older sister was adopted in 1968. Again, same reasons as above. Lastly, my daughter is adopted as is her birthmother. There are choices out there other than abortion. There are thousands of couples who go through infertility that would jump at the chance for an unwanted child to give them a good home in a loving enviroment. I know, I know, it's a womans body and she has the right to do with it as she chooses. But, why doesn't the child have a say in it. That child has a right to be born and live it's life. In most cases, the woman made the choice to have unprotected sex. Why not make a "bad" situation good by going through the 9 mos of pregnancy and give a loving couple their wish to become parents? That's just my $.02 worth. I'm off my soapbox.

Ok, so I took this weekend off as I was north of Heyward, WI for a church guys weekend of snowtubing and watch movies (and yes, some drinks:frown:, but not too many). Anyway, I went to the gym Friday morning before we left. I had a personal trainer do my measurements for the first time since I joined last April, which was about 5 mos before my band. Anyway, in that time, I have lost just over 90 lbs, bf went from almost 31% to 19%, and I lost almost 40 inches from my body. I was so excited. I then went on to do my lower body workout for approx. 45 minutes and 65 minutes on the eliptical machine for interval training. Back at it this morning for 65 minutes of intervals on the eliptical machine again. Tonight will be upper body. I'll post the workout later today as I don't have the time to do it right now. Stef, I'll get you my numbers as well then. Thanks.

Great! I passed everything with flying colors. Ran the mile in 9:10, started off @ 6.2 mph and just kept increasing the speed periodically to see how far I could push myself. Made up to 7.5 for the last .12 mile. Pullups were a little iffy going in, but I made it on those, did 30 situps in less than a minute, and benched my body weight 4 x's (only needed two, but thought I would prove a point with the testers.:confused:) Thanks for asking. The more support I have, the better I can do. Next is shooting next week. No problems there (if there were, I shouldn't be in this field:lol:). Then, oral interview. I have nothing but good feelings about this process right now. Don't see how I can make it easy on them to not take me back.

Thanks Jess. I just noticed we were banded 2 wks apart. It's nice to see another one in my time period getting "it". Keep up the good work. As I stated, you'll probably hit 100 sooner than me, but I won't be far behind.

Another weekend down. I overdid it, apparently, on Friday on the treadmill. Later in the day my shin below my boot line really started to hurt. The bone, not just the muscle. Hurts to touch. However, I was able to get my upper body workout in on Friday night and toughed through my lower body workout Saturday morning. Did 100 minutes on Saturday and Sunday for cardio. 50 each on treadmill and elyptical. Another 65 this morning on elyptical. I've rediscovered interval training during cardio. Makes the time go by just a little bit quicker. I only perform interval on the elyptical as it is easier to ramp up/down than on a treadmill. Upper body again tonight. I'll post the workout tomorrow.

Another weekend down. I overdid it, apparently, on Friday on the treadmill. Later in the day my shin below my boot line really started to hurt. The bone, not just the muscle. Hurts to touch. However, I was able to get my upper body workout in on Friday night and toughed through my lower body workout Saturday morning. Did 100 minutes on Saturday and Sunday for cardio. 50 each on treadmill and elyptical. Another 65 this morning on elyptical. I've rediscovered interval training during cardio. Makes the time go by just a little bit quicker. I only perform interval on the elyptical as it is easier to ramp up/down than on a treadmill. Upper body again tonight. I'll post the workout tomorrow.

Stef, you can put me down for another 2 lbs lost. I am like Jess, I am now only 10 lbs shy of 100 lost. I'm not sure when I'll hit it though. I've got a "guys" weekend coming up. I don't plan on drinking like I did last year, but the diet won't be great. I'll just have to work extra hard to make up for up before and after. Sidenote, I started doing interval training on the elyptical machines in Cardio Cinema at the gym this weekend. I'd forgotten all about that until some of you started talking about it recently. Thanks for the reminder. It was great and added a little something extra to think about instead of thinking about how much I had left to do.:eek:

cherie, I lost the 10 lbs due to the liquid diet for 10 days. It sucked for the first 5. I was always hungry. But, after awhile it went away, a little, and became more manageable. I was dizzy almost the entire time from day 3 on. But, it was worth it. Thanks for the comment

Another 65 minutes on the treadmill this morning. I changed it up a bit as I started off running 1.25 miles @ 6 mph w/no incline. I have to run a mile in 9:56 next Wed to for the SWAT team tryouts, so I wanted to make sure it was doable. Then, I added the extra 1/4 mile because if I make it back on, I will have to go to a SWAT school to become recertified and that will include a 5 mile run. I want to be able to work up to 5 miles over the next couple of months. Anyway, after the 1.25 miles, I went back down to 4 mph and put the incline @ 2 % for 17.5 minutes, 3 % for 18 minutes, 4% for 10 minutes. The last 2 minutes I increased the incline 1% every 30 seconds. I ended up the last 30 @ 8%, that was tough. Then, 5 minute cooldown @ 4 mph and 0 incline. Upper body tonight to get on a schedule more condusive to the tryout next Wed. I'll do cardio and lower body tomorrow and cardio only on Sunday.

Another 65 minutes on the treadmill this morning. I changed it up a bit as I started off running 1.25 miles @ 6 mph w/no incline. I have to run a mile in 9:56 next Wed to for the SWAT team tryouts, so I wanted to make sure it was doable. Then, I added the extra 1/4 mile because if I make it back on, I will have to go to a SWAT school to become recertified and that will include a 5 mile run. I want to be able to work up to 5 miles over the next couple of months. Anyway, after the 1.25 miles, I went back down to 4 mph and put the incline @ 2 % for 17.5 minutes, 3 % for 18 minutes, 4% for 10 minutes. The last 2 minutes I increased the incline 1% every 30 seconds. I ended up the last 30 @ 8%, that was tough. Then, 5 minute cooldown @ 4 mph and 0 incline. Upper body tonight to get on a schedule more condusive to the tryout next Wed. I'll do cardio and lower body tomorrow and cardio only on Sunday.

Exactly what I was thinking. If you look at my ticker below, when I get to my goal weight of 240, my BMI will still be 30. 30 is still considered obese. I'm 6'3", an athlete all my life, and have lifted all my life. My weight really got out of hand, but c'mon, I graduated h.s. at 250 as a starting tackle on the football team. That is just ridiculous. As for that bill, there is no way it will ever get passed. I would imagine it is just some little hick legislator trying to get his/her name out there.

Yes, I will "ask" to be let in. Like I said, I get a little on "edge" when I am working out and irritable. Most people do not have a problem with it. And, also as I stated, I am open to going on to the next exercise and come back. If the person is actually using it, that is not where my problem lies. It is when someone sits on the machine for 5 minutes between very light sets and talks with someone else that I really get annoyed. I know, I know, I sound like a gym "snob". But, I've been lifting for over 20 yrs and I tend to get a little annoyed with people that are there to be seen and not better themselves. That's just me. And I know I'm not alone there.

A couple of months after my surgery, I went down to Dallas for my first ever trip to Texas Stadium to see my Cowboys at home. I had my monthly checkup the two weeks later. While I lost around 9-10 lbs in that month, I confessed to the PA that I was not overly great while down there about my diet. All that said, she told me what my addition will be: Bandsters have to be allowed, by their SO and themselves, to live life. It can't all be about watching everything you eat. If you fall off the wagon once, just get right back on.

Yeah, you go to a "real gym" and the people there know how to act. While I do get annoyed when I'm in the middle of my circuit, I do not go overboard. If they look as if they are actually using it to lift instead of as a towel rack, I'll just go to the next exercise and come back at the end of the cycle. I just tend to get a little on edge when working out. Kind of sounds like Tommy is the same way.:frown:

I just found this site not long ago and just now found this thread. I have BCBS of IL. As soon as the clinic found out I had them they got that "look" on their faces. They knew all about BCBS of IL. They knew I was going to have to go through 6 mos with a dietician and a couple of other obstacles to overcome. The 6 mos seemed to be the worst and I could deal with that, at the time. I just looked at it as a headstart on changing habits for afterwards. As I was 6'3" and almost 380, and had been fighting my weight for over 15 yrs, I figured it was a simple deal. Little did I know. I started with the dietician in January of 07. I was told I had to see the dietician pretty much on the dot every 30 days or they would deny me for not following the "monthly" appts. This was a little difficult as the dietician was due in May of 07. Regardless, I made it. In May, I called BCBS to verify that the January through June was going to be good or if January didn't count as it was the initial consultation with the dietician. Couldn't get a straight answer to save my life. They almost came out and said I was good. So, after the June appt, my clinic sent in all the paperwork to BCBS. After a week, I called up BCBS to check on the status of my request. I was told I had been denied for failing to follow their guidelines. Cust. Rep would tell me exactly why. But he did tell me they thought people got the Band and then went right back to their old eating habits. I called the nurse I was assigned to at the clinic and informed her of what was said via voicemail. I was called back by the lady that handles their insurance paperwork and was told she would call BCBS. She called me back a couple of hours later and she was PISSED!!!!!!!! She could not believe what BCBS told her. Basically, they told her that fat people, or "those people", got nothing out of the surgery. They said I was denied for failing to learn anything from the dietician. Their reasoning was that my weight fluctuated each month by a pound or two and I would revert back to old eating habits afterwards. They also didn't believe it was a preventitive surgery. Little back story on the clinic I went through. It was Park Nicollet Clinic in St. Louis Park. They have 3 surgical teams that do nothing but gastric bypass. To be a nurse or a staff member of this clinic, you have to have had gastric bypass (other than the surgeons). They do this so they know what the patients are going through each step of the way. Anyway, the lady from the clinic went OFF on the cust rep from BCBS. She told her off good. Flamed him for the companies attitude. Then, told him to put my request in appeal. When he asked if that was what I wanted to do, she told him to just do it and she would ask me later. I loved it when she told me this. I knew I had decided to go with the right place. Any way, long story longer, I had the appeal approved in less than 3 days. After figuring out my schedule and the surgeons availibility, I had my surgery on August 28, 2007. I'm down almost 90 lbs and haven't looked back. No fills as of yet and I love my clinic. If you live in MN, I highly recommend PNC. But, more importantly, if you are denied, TELL them you want your request put into appeal. They don't tell you about that option and you don't need a lawyer. It is a neutral 3rd party that looks over your request. If they approve you, BCBS HAS to abide by it. If they deny, then look further. Just don't give up. That is what BCBS wants you to do. PNC told me they have around 10-11 patients a year w/BCBS of IL. Of those, on avg, 8 get denied. When I asked if most are approved on appeal, I was told most simply give up. I was not going to do that. Thanks for reading my novella.:frown:

Ok, took last night off from lifting. Same tonight. Trying something new on the split for days to try to accomodate DW getting to the gym at night. So, another 65 minutes of cardio this morning on treadmill. So I can remember later, I set the speed at 4.0 mph and start off on a 2 % incline. At 20 minutes in, I raise the platform to 3 % incline. At 48 minutes in, up it to 4 % incline. Then, at 58 minutes in, up to 5 % incline. After 60 minutes, the treadmill goes into "cooldown" mode. I leave the speed @ 4.0 mph and put the incline at 1 %. This routine leaves my hr in the "weightloss" area for approx. 30-40 minutes. Then, it goes up into cardiovascular. Both are good. Tomorrow, I have to switch my routine up a little to accomodate my SWAT team physical tryouts next week. I don't want to bench my weight 14 hrs after doing my upper body workout. So, I have to do upper body first. Then, lower body instead of vice versa.

Ok, took last night off from lifting. Same tonight. Trying something new on the split for days to try to accomodate DW getting to the gym at night. So, another 65 minutes of cardio this morning on treadmill. So I can remember later, I set the speed at 4.0 mph and start off on a 2 % incline. At 20 minutes in, I raise the platform to 3 % incline. At 48 minutes in, up it to 4 % incline. Then, at 58 minutes in, up to 5 % incline. After 60 minutes, the treadmill goes into "cooldown" mode. I leave the speed @ 4.0 mph and put the incline at 1 %. This routine leaves my hr in the "weightloss" area for approx. 30-40 minutes. Then, it goes up into cardiovascular. Both are good. Tomorrow, I have to switch my routine up a little to accomodate my SWAT team physical tryouts next week. I don't want to bench my weight 14 hrs after doing my upper body workout. So, I have to do upper body first. Then, lower body instead of vice versa.

I was allowed sugar free Jello. As long as you don't put anything else in it, no fruit. Otherwise, I had a crapload of Water w/Crystal Light. But, I only had that for 1 wk before I could move onto whole liquids. Those weeks sucked, sorry to say. Never thought the idea of pureed foods would make my mouth water, but I had 2 wks of looking forward to it. That first meal of pureed chicken and fat free refried Beans was almost gourmet.:biggrin: Good luck with it. It seems like forever when you are going through it. Afterwards, you realize it was only a moment in time and completely worth it.