shues138

@bayougirl I live in Connecticut. The major cities in this state (Bridgeport, New Haven, Hartford) have the highest obesity rates in the state, due to the fact that low income residents live in these cities, therefore making poor food choices (ie fast food, convenience foods at bodegas, etc). We also have a fun "program" where crack heads, etc will sell their food stamp cards to people for a reduced rate for cash. For example, if a person has $500 on their foodstamp card they'll sell the card for cash for $250, before you do that you go to a bodega get like a pack of gum and it'll show the balance of the foodstamp card on the receipt. Therefore, food is taken out of children's mouths but they get cash for whatever they want it for.

I have to say though, the city I work in (one of the major ones) they are really trying to get people that live in the city to get healthy. They recently opened up a Stop and Shop in the worst area in town and also opened up a co-op (unfortunately with HIGH food prices, but still accept foodstamps) that has a healthier range of food products (I'll even shop their in a pinch).

Trust me, my job is not easy, I used to work in the maternity section of where I work, and when I would see patients, they would be like "oh am I signing this so I can get more money for the state?" uh, no you're signing it so your child can have medical coverege. I would hear a lot of "I don't care about that, I want my money" ::rolls eyes::

I had to comment on this blog, I work in healthcare and see the abuse of the system every darn day.

Medicare as everyone stated prior is earned, and it is there to help people over 65, disabled individuals and transplant receipients. Medicare benefits at that are kind of crappy which drives me nuts since everyone pays into it.

Medicaid on the other hand is a whole different beast. I live in one of the most expensive states in the union, and about half of our patients are on medicaid for medical. I honestly don't feel bad about children receiving it, I'm from the school of every child under 18 deserves medical care. But, what frustrates me is that where I live, every six months you have to literally mail in a postcard to the state updating your demographic info and your medicaid is updated for another six months. People who don't do this, expect me (who has nothing to do with the patient other than paying for their medical) to do it, I'm like "you're an adult do it yourself" of course I can't say that, but I say it in a nice way lol.

I think there should definetly be a time limit on how long people are on medicaid, unless they have a chronic illness (ie cancer) and they literally cannot work due to their illness.

@bayougirl, you think that's bad in regards to the junk food on your dime? How about where I live they can use them at fast food restaurants. Real nice, huh?

I can't believe they would prescribe me this, I swear on my mother's life I didn't ask for it, you should've seen the look on my face when she handed me the prescription, seriously???? WTH???

Oh well, I'm going to lose weight my own way, if she keeps pushing these pills I'm going to have to go somewhere else....it's ridiculous.

Thank you so much for the input. I'm glad I'm not the only one confused about this lol. I'm definetly going to give them my two cents at the next appointment. I never wanted to lose weight agressively and we all agreed (myself and the mds office) that the overall goal would that the band would help maintain weight loss. Ugh, this is just not a good day!

Sounds like you had an interesting weekend lol. I hear you about the clothes shopping. I promised myself not to buy any clothes until I reach a certain weight. My closet is like a small Macy's with all different sizes for me to wear in the meantime. Keep up the good work, sorry about the fence!

OMG it was the worse! That was only once, now it's like I literally feel STUFFED after eating a small amount of food!

Good job!

You're doing such a great job! See how you feel this month and then talk with him about it next appt. Good luck with everything!

I don't have any junk food in the house, but I could probably eat my weight in m&ms depending on the time of month lol. It was just that going out to dinner sucks, but the next day is a new day, and so far I've been doing really well!

When I was banded in 2007 I told EVERYONE about it. The longer I had it (and the more I was NOT losing weight) I didn't tell a lot of people bc I was ashamed and I didn't want people to think I was a failure.

My dbf and I have been dating for a year and he doesn't know I have the band. He even brought me for an endoscopy for a possible erosion and still has no clue. It's so funny too because on our first date we went for sushi, and when I get nervous or stressed my band tightens up so I could barely eat one piece of sushi it was horrible, he probably thought I was crazy (well he does that's why he loves me lol)

It's funny because when I was prepping for my endoscopy I told the nurse to not say anything in front of my boyfriend about me having the lap-band and I have to say she was really good about it because as I was coming out of that crazy anesthesia that they give you (MAC I think?) I was saying crazy things, and almost told him I had it the nurse came over and was like "OKAY! I'm going to check your blood pressure!" LMAO

I'm so afraid if I tell him now, he'll question what else I've been holding back, and honestly it's nothing. I tell him everything. He's really supportive of me going to the gym and doesn't really notice how little I eat. He's also a bigger guy and I don't want him to think if when I lose all the weight that I'm going to leave him for someone hotter or whatever. I wouldn't do that, I've invested too much into this relationship.

Anyway, I'm rambling but I had to put my two cents in. PS I LOVE Amy's blog too! She is amazing!

Just wanted to update dbf is def out of funk, just told me he has a pimple on his nose (I know totally random) I told him the next time I have a hemmeroid he'll be the first to know and will have to go buy the preperation h lol.

I can't wait to look back at these one day and laugh!

Oh yeah, I use fitness pal for that, but I'm not going to lie I'm just lazy in regards to finding out nutritional info, just put it in the darn recipe! LOL

What a great inspriation thank you so much for sharing!

PS that convertable in the first video is awesome!

I tricked myself into liking the gym, but honestly I hate it, but I have to do it! The weight isn't going to come off itself!

I so don't want to hear that! JK I have to say this winter hasn't been to bad here in New England, last year it was HORRIBLE! Literally waist deep in snow it sucked. This will be the third snow fall of the winter.

I'm going to Key West the end of March, with my luck we'll get the blizzard of the century the day my flight leaves lol.

Thank you so much! I hope I accomplish them too, I know I will in due time (esp the wedding dress shopping and kids lol)

I agree with you. Every year we go to Mexico to an all inclusive resort, and for some reason last year I was REALLY tight and could not enjoy any food (drinks on the other hand lol) and here's my dbf eating everything in sight. I was only able to have 1 or 2 bites of anything. But I realized in the end this is how the band is supp to do the work. Unfortunately I haven't felt that much restriction since, but we're (the md and I) are working on it

Keep up the good work!

Yeah I do that or I just order an appetizer. I'm so not into food today! Fortunately there has been a plan change, we aren't spending the night there, just the birthday girl and her bf, so my other friend and I are driving back tonight (she's tired from a spinning class, I'm tired bc I'm old!) but we are going out for dinner tonight IDK where yet.

Do you use pinterest? There's a lot of healthy recipes on there. I usually make a whole recipe and divide it up into one cup servings for the week (I'll usually keep Monday and Tuesday in the fridge and freeze the rest of the week).

Also do you have a dorm with a kitchen? Or is it just microwave and fridge?

If you have a full kitchen in your dorm, then eggs are the way to go! They're cheap and easy (like me lol) and you can add so much to mix in! I found a good recipe for egg cups that I'm going to try next weekend to bring to work.

Also if you can tolerate bread, I sometimes make the following sandwiches. I wrap them up in paper towels and then aluminum foil and freeze them. I'll defrost them the night before, bring them to work, unwrap the foil and pop them in the micro for a minute or so: 1 whole wheat eng muffin toasted, 1/4 cup egg beaters, 1 morning star farm "sausage" patty, and 1 slice of american cheese.

I'm on the same boat as you, I'm starting all over again, so far so good (I think, I ate like crap this past weekend and still lost 1.5 lbs), but I don't think I'm in the green zone yet, go back to the md on Monday for another fill, hope this one is it

If you need support come on this board, I'm on here all the time instead of stuffing my face, people here are so nice and helpful they are all a god send!

So sorry for your loss, I lost my paternal grandparents three months apart, my dad took it really hard, just be supportive.

In regards to your before and after pictures you look freaking amazing! I can def tell a difference. Keep up the good work!

I had the same thing happen to me at my current place of employment, and to be honest at first I was like "how did everyone know?" now I don't care because I'm doing this for ME and ME only.

Don't ever be embarassed about having this surgery, those skinny b!&$^#s probably couldn't even handle what we had to go through! Keep your head up!

Hmmm, no comment lol

Good job!

Good for you!! Keep up the good work!