shues138

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 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 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!

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!

break out the nail polish !!!

I'm just really observant with my calorie intake. I try to keep it ~1000 calories a day. I used to obsess about it, but now I'm like "hey, if I go over, it's not like the 3000 calories a day I used to eat"
In regards to me trying to cut down on sugars, I find that if I eat a lot of sugar, by 3pm I'm sluggish, once again, I don't make an effort to be sugar free, etc but I'm going to choose splenda over sugar, or a sugar free/ff vanilla latte over just a fat free latte.
I say do whatever works for you and as long as your MD is fine with it then have fun! LOL

Yes! You are going to get intoxicated a lot more faster than the "normal" person. I was told by my md it is because we eat a lot less calories than a non-bandster. He said "it's okay to drink just do it at home the first time" I was sooo scared. Now I'm okay, I do get drunk a lot faster. I have found if I pace myself I'll be okay. I have a drink, then one pint of ice water, another drink (the same as the first one....or not lol ) and another pint of ice water etc. I always end the night with water just to clear my pouch out from anything that could be acidic (ie margaritas).
Hope that helps

Good job on the weight loss!!!! In regards to your approval for you panni procedure call your insurance company because they will tell you when the authorizations expire., it all depends. Also, in regards to a tt the med school that my hospital works with has a resident cosmetic program which costs considerably less than a regular tt. Granted its residents that do the actual surgery but the plastic surgeon is there too, and there have never been any horror stories lol. Good luck with everything and keep on blogging!

Good job on the weight loss!!!! In regards to your approval for you panni procedure call your insurance company because they will tell you when the authorizations expire., it all depends. Also, in regards to a tt the med school that my hospital works with has a resident cosmetic program which costs considerably less than a regular tt. Granted its residents that do the actual surgery but the plastic surgeon is there too, and there have never been any horror stories lol. Good luck with everything and keep on blogging!

I think my wake up call was when I told someone recently I had WLS and they looked at me like "yeah, ok, sure" I realized that it's not going to do the work for me, it's a tool to help but I have to work with it too.
Good luck with the weight loss so far, can't wait to reach my goals, I know this will be my year!
And there is always a seat for you in my wagon! LOL

Joyce, we are the same except i choose soup a lot. and I too can't eat Lettuce.... but i can eat the mixed greens... crazy. Japanese... i eat the snow crab salad...omg.
Another thing i do is i pack away 3/4 of my meal before i take the first bite. This way i won't be tempted to eat too much. I then give the leftovers to my son or my husband.... I don't do well with left overs.

Okay I'm glad I'm not the only one who eats salads without lettuce! I get the strangest looks, but my excuse is "lettuce is just a filler" lol

I was thinking the same thing....I am newly banded...only 5 weeks out and I have lost 24lbs. I have just been eating things in moderation and exercising. The band isnt about dieting persay. Its about portion control and satisfaction. Dont limit yourself too much because it will be that much harder later on. You wont b interested in those foods everyday. I applaud your effort for a healthier you because its sooo hard to make the transition from our preband food to our post band food choices Dont be so hard on yourself!
Crystal

PS: I am 2.5 years out, 5 pounds below the cutoff for normal BMI wearing a size 6 and just never going to torture myself like that agin...

Well no one seems to have a ticker any more so its hard to tell where people are in this process. I dont want to sound mean but it just looks like you are on a diet and I just no longer believe in that! I didnt get the band to eat like that...I have pretty tight restriction and eat very small quantities of any and every food...I dont log anything or look at calories and I dont really exercise...your plan sounds like torture I could never keep up with! Not sure what your band is doing for you!