Recent Posts
Topic: RE: Week 2: 2nd day of 5DPT
Hi Cira,
My grandson is doing great! He will be 10 months soon! Its amazing how fast they grow.
I'm glad Tara is doing well, I can imagine her face lighting up with joy when she saw the scale move. Its very exciting!
I hope you and all of your babies are doing great!
Ren
"The difference between try and triumph is just a little umph!"
Topic: RE: Day 3 of 5 Day Pouch Test
I really am enjoying reading everyone's progress on the 5DPT! I am on Day 5 and plan on having a small lean cheeseburger for dinner tonight w/o the bread of course. I will put some mayonnaise on it so it goes down a bit easier.
I'm doing well remembering to take in extra protein and finding that I am actually enjoying the New Whey Liquid Protein 42g.
Last night (Day 4) I found myself getting home from work late and not feeling up to cooking, so we went out to Ruby Tuesdays and I checked their menu well and found out they have (FT)= Fit & Trim menu items. I ordered the (Porta) Bella Chicken w/o the sauce and choose the grilled aspargus as a side.
As of yesterday, I am down 5 lbs and know that it will take a lot of work to get down to where I want to be. I also find myself wanting something to munch on, and have been sticking with proteins... cheese and/or lean deli ham.
I may find myself leaning towards Round 2 of the 5DPT like Cira. I never even considered doing it a second wee****il reading that Cira was and is having success.
Thanks to all that posted and keep me inspired.
Many thanks,
Ren
I'm doing well remembering to take in extra protein and finding that I am actually enjoying the New Whey Liquid Protein 42g.
Last night (Day 4) I found myself getting home from work late and not feeling up to cooking, so we went out to Ruby Tuesdays and I checked their menu well and found out they have (FT)= Fit & Trim menu items. I ordered the (Porta) Bella Chicken w/o the sauce and choose the grilled aspargus as a side.
As of yesterday, I am down 5 lbs and know that it will take a lot of work to get down to where I want to be. I also find myself wanting something to munch on, and have been sticking with proteins... cheese and/or lean deli ham.
I may find myself leaning towards Round 2 of the 5DPT like Cira. I never even considered doing it a second wee****il reading that Cira was and is having success.
Thanks to all that posted and keep me inspired.
Many thanks,
Ren
"The difference between try and triumph is just a little umph!"
Topic: The Body Image Center Free Support Groups Columbia, MD
I just received an email from The Body Image Center (thebodyimagecenter.com) regarding their support groups converting from pay-per-session to free. The director of this center is amazingly well-versed in all things bariatric surgery. He also does individual counseling.
Below is the email:
In an effort to meet the growing needs of our clients, we are now converting our therapy groups for bariatric patients and Binge Eating Disorder clients into FREE SUPPORT GROUPS that will be open to the public.
Groups Schedules are Below and all groups start at 7pm:
1st Wednesday of the Month - Bariatric Surgery Group for Those Over a Year Out
2nd Wednesday of the Month - Bariatric Surgery Group for Those Preparing for or Recently Had the Surgery
3rd Wednesday of the Month - Compulsive/Binge Eating Disorder Support Group
Feel free to attend any group that you think will meet your needs, and be sure to bring those who would also benefit from these discussions.
To your health,
Andrew Walen, LCSW-C
Director
Below is the email:
In an effort to meet the growing needs of our clients, we are now converting our therapy groups for bariatric patients and Binge Eating Disorder clients into FREE SUPPORT GROUPS that will be open to the public.
Groups Schedules are Below and all groups start at 7pm:
1st Wednesday of the Month - Bariatric Surgery Group for Those Over a Year Out
2nd Wednesday of the Month - Bariatric Surgery Group for Those Preparing for or Recently Had the Surgery
3rd Wednesday of the Month - Compulsive/Binge Eating Disorder Support Group
Feel free to attend any group that you think will meet your needs, and be sure to bring those who would also benefit from these discussions.
To your health,
Andrew Walen, LCSW-C
Director
Check out my blog--menumealplanning.com. Tales of making meal planning managable, family fodder, and everything else under the sun.
RNY 2/3/09, LBL/BL w/Augmentation 9/16/11
Start weight: 335 Current weight: 185 Goal weight: Whatever the hell I can maintain without driving myself insane!
*6.5 lost preop
Topic: RE: Surgeon moved :(
Not sure how far you are, but Kuldeep Singh is in Maple Lawn- Howard County. That may help those that don't wish to drive to Baltimore.
Topic: St Agnes Support Group 1/17/2011 Back on Track!
Open to all patients!
A special "Back on Track" group is coming Monday January 17th at 6pm Alagia Auditorium!
What are the pits with food?
How does exercise play a role?
Why vitamins?
How to deal with emotional stress and be successful?
Registered Dietician Nancy Lum, Personal Trainer Susan Simpson, Dawn O'Meally LCSW and vitamin reps from Bariatric Advantage will be there. Free vitamin giveaways and taste testing too!
Come all and lets get "Back in Track" together!
A special "Back on Track" group is coming Monday January 17th at 6pm Alagia Auditorium!
What are the pits with food?
How does exercise play a role?
Why vitamins?
How to deal with emotional stress and be successful?
Registered Dietician Nancy Lum, Personal Trainer Susan Simpson, Dawn O'Meally LCSW and vitamin reps from Bariatric Advantage will be there. Free vitamin giveaways and taste testing too!
Come all and lets get "Back in Track" together!
Topic: RE: HEALTH INSURANCE
Ugh! Sounds like a yucky catch-22. BMI too high to be insured but to get the BMI down WLS surgery would be best- but need insurance to get WLS! I"m sorry you're going thru that.
SO is the FHC program a high-risk pool? My understanding is that's a good program for those who have comorbid or high-risk conditions but wouldn't be eligible on the mass market to buy private insurance. I almost always encourage people to see if they qualify for Medicaid, b/c they actually have good coverage & reimburse MDs really well - that's the practitioner in me talking - but if your income is too great (ridiculous phrasing, I know) to qualify for Medicaid, than the FHC is the way to go. BUT always check out what their coverage is before you sign on the line - better to know beforehand than to have insurance that doesn't do what you want it to do! Better to prevent than lament. Again, I always let people know - especially on blogs etc - that I'm not an insurance specialist, lawyer or MD, but have been going thru the process with an eye on my bottom line too. Not just my bottom. ha ha
Good luck in the process & keep the hope that it's all worth it in the end!
- nfarris
SO is the FHC program a high-risk pool? My understanding is that's a good program for those who have comorbid or high-risk conditions but wouldn't be eligible on the mass market to buy private insurance. I almost always encourage people to see if they qualify for Medicaid, b/c they actually have good coverage & reimburse MDs really well - that's the practitioner in me talking - but if your income is too great (ridiculous phrasing, I know) to qualify for Medicaid, than the FHC is the way to go. BUT always check out what their coverage is before you sign on the line - better to know beforehand than to have insurance that doesn't do what you want it to do! Better to prevent than lament. Again, I always let people know - especially on blogs etc - that I'm not an insurance specialist, lawyer or MD, but have been going thru the process with an eye on my bottom line too. Not just my bottom. ha ha
Good luck in the process & keep the hope that it's all worth it in the end!
- nfarris
Topic: RE: Day 3 of 5 Day Pouch Test
Christy,
I can relate with how you are feeling. I felt that way last week. I had to laugh when you said that the bar of soap looked like cake. Too funny, but not so funny when we are going through that. I am very proud of you for sticking to the plan!! Great job!! As for me doing the 5DPT for the second time has definitely helped me with those cravings and head hunger. I suggest you do one more week to help you with that. Remember that the diet says you can eat as much of protein as you want.
You are strong and you will make it!
Cira
I can relate with how you are feeling. I felt that way last week. I had to laugh when you said that the bar of soap looked like cake. Too funny, but not so funny when we are going through that. I am very proud of you for sticking to the plan!! Great job!! As for me doing the 5DPT for the second time has definitely helped me with those cravings and head hunger. I suggest you do one more week to help you with that. Remember that the diet says you can eat as much of protein as you want.
You are strong and you will make it!
Cira
I am who I am and accept my feelings wholeheartedly.
Those that mind don't matter, and those that matter don't mind.
Cira 249/144.0 current/goal 154/ 5'3" 10 lbs below my Dr's goal
Topic: RE: Day 3 of 5 Day Pouch Test
Hi Laura,
I am so glad that you are doing great on the 5DPT. Our tool truly does work all we have to do it work it for the rest of our lives.
As for the fish I put less Old Bay seasoning because I have noticed that since I have been staying away from sodium with he diet my taste buds are more sensitive and most things tastes salty to me. I had a wonderful tasty omelet and I added shredded cheddar cheese and 1 slice of tomatoe diced. It was heavenly. But I could not fini**** all as well.
I also got the urge to much on things (slider foods) but not as bad as two weeks ago. I just cut up some lettuce and added some chicken salad that I had made. Remember that it says you can eat as much protein as you want.
As for the the drinking yes it does get harder but remember to chew really good. You will get full really quickly tho. As soon as you feel restriction stop eating. That will help with waiting to drink 30 minutes later.
Yesterday was a great day for me. I enjoyed Tilapia, chicken salad on a bed of lettuce,I had 1 protein drink and I had 2 oz of sharp cheddar cheese throughout the day. I felt like I was forcing myself to eat because I was not hungry at all. Doing this diet the second week has definitely felt really good and has helped me with the mental hunger. Yay!! I will not do the 5 day pouch next week again bu, I will follow the 30 minute rule, I will stay away from slider foods and eat healthy. If I feel like I am falling back I will start it back up. I just need two more pounds to lose which will probably take me a while to lose since it is no****er weight. lol I will work out those two pounds even if it means working out 3 times a day 5days a week. lol
Best of luck Laura you are doing great and I am super proud of you.
Have a fantastic day all!
Cira
I am so glad that you are doing great on the 5DPT. Our tool truly does work all we have to do it work it for the rest of our lives.
As for the fish I put less Old Bay seasoning because I have noticed that since I have been staying away from sodium with he diet my taste buds are more sensitive and most things tastes salty to me. I had a wonderful tasty omelet and I added shredded cheddar cheese and 1 slice of tomatoe diced. It was heavenly. But I could not fini**** all as well.
I also got the urge to much on things (slider foods) but not as bad as two weeks ago. I just cut up some lettuce and added some chicken salad that I had made. Remember that it says you can eat as much protein as you want.
As for the the drinking yes it does get harder but remember to chew really good. You will get full really quickly tho. As soon as you feel restriction stop eating. That will help with waiting to drink 30 minutes later.
Yesterday was a great day for me. I enjoyed Tilapia, chicken salad on a bed of lettuce,I had 1 protein drink and I had 2 oz of sharp cheddar cheese throughout the day. I felt like I was forcing myself to eat because I was not hungry at all. Doing this diet the second week has definitely felt really good and has helped me with the mental hunger. Yay!! I will not do the 5 day pouch next week again bu, I will follow the 30 minute rule, I will stay away from slider foods and eat healthy. If I feel like I am falling back I will start it back up. I just need two more pounds to lose which will probably take me a while to lose since it is no****er weight. lol I will work out those two pounds even if it means working out 3 times a day 5days a week. lol
Best of luck Laura you are doing great and I am super proud of you.
Have a fantastic day all!
Cira
I am who I am and accept my feelings wholeheartedly.
Those that mind don't matter, and those that matter don't mind.
Cira 249/144.0 current/goal 154/ 5'3" 10 lbs below my Dr's goal
Topic: RE: HEALTH INSURANCE
Thank you very much. I applied with BCBS last year and was told my BMI is higher that what they accept. I don't think I'll have any luck with Kaiser either because my doctor is in DC and I would like to use him. So what do you suggest? Should I apply with the Federal Health Care program? Thanks for your great help.
Topic: RE: HEALTH INSURANCE
Knowing your rights is a good thing! Keep in mind that the pre-existing conditions clause on the Federal Health Care Reform Bill (see website healthcare.gov for more info on that) has not gone into effect for adults but is in effect for kids. However, since Maryland has a law requiring carriers to provide a certain minimum benefits (see source below), bariatric patients should be covered or would at least have legal grounds to appeal a rejection. I'm not a lawyer but have done a TON of research on making sure this stuff is covered! I have BCBS and have basically memorized their medical policy on WLS. If you ever need to have a source to refer to, I suggest the below source - from COMAR
Can't promise you anything on what hoops Kaiser may have you jump thru - as a mental health provider, all I know about Kaiser is that they have their own contracted professionals and are loathe to refer out - but in the end, you can be your own voice to really get the WLS you need to meet your goals. Good luck!!!!
31.11.06.03
(code of Maryland laws). Also looking up the NIH criteria for WLS and being well versed in how you fit (no pun intended!) their criteria, will help you be the best advocate for your health care. See this site for some helpful info from NIH: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/weightlosssurgery.htmlCan't promise you anything on what hoops Kaiser may have you jump thru - as a mental health provider, all I know about Kaiser is that they have their own contracted professionals and are loathe to refer out - but in the end, you can be your own voice to really get the WLS you need to meet your goals. Good luck!!!!
"A-1. Morbid Obesity.
(1) When establishing utilization review criteria for the surgical treatment of morbid obesity, a carrier or a private review agent acting on behalf of a carrier shall adhere to the requirements of COMAR 31.10.33.03.
(2) Surgical treatment of morbid obesity shall occur in a facility that is:
(a) Designated by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery as a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence; and
(b) Designated by the carrier.
(3) If a carrier does not make a designation under §A-1(2) of this regulation, the carrier shall provide benefits under the health benefit plan for the surgical treatment of morbid obesity at any facility that is designated by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery as a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence."
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