According to my bathroom scale this morning, my weight has now dropped to 242, down from my official start of 286. That's 44 pounds, gone forever.
More significantly, my BMI has now dropped below 40, and I'm no longer considered "morbidly obese" and am now merely (!) "obese." BMI charts seem to differ, but I wanted to be sure that, by all their numbers, I'm now simply "obese." Uhhh...thanks?
In some ways, it's significant that I'm merely on the chart at all! Some BMI charts don't even go as high as 250 lbs, as if such a weight does not bear noticing. It should be noticed. In fact, moreso than the weights closer to the ideal, IMHO!
Those who are morbidly obese need MORE help, not less! Am I saying they (formerly, "we") need sympathy? Not necessarily. However, because there are issues --health and social are the two main ones-- the morbidly obese need to be on the charts and in the sights of the medical community.
Not to mention, the insurance company bean counters need to seriously rethink how difficult they make it for those who WANT help to get it. There are several diet pills out there proven to be effective when medically monitored and used in conjunction with nutrition counseling, behavior modification and --yes, I'll say it!-- a stern talking to the family about sabotage. Then, if that doesn't work, the insurance company needs to give in and make the various forms of bariatric surgery available without a fight, huge co-pays, and long waits while the patient "proves" how serious they are.
C'mon! Obesity causes very serious health issues like high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, sleep apnea, and stroke. The medications and/or treatments for these ailments can cost much more than the surgery annually for each patient if they're hospitalized once. My sleep apnea machine cost more than a grand, even before I used it once. The supplies for it cost about $600 a year, and that's what my insurance pays for! This doesn't include my regular visits to two different doctors and the obesity-related medications for pain, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar.
Since my LapBand was installed, I no longer need my cholesterol medication, I haven't taken a pain pill in months, I haven't had an apnea problem in three months, and I'm fairly sure my blood sugar is now close to normal, judging by the way I feel. That's with a "mere" 44 pounds gone out of the nearly 150 total I need to lose by the BMI charts to reach my "healthy" range.
How much more money do the insurance companies have to spend before they figure this out?
4 comments:
Congratulations Lena!! This is such a great milestone to see you gain!
Thank you, m'dear. I feel MAHVELOUS!
A year ago, I couldn't walk around the grocery store. This morning my pal Karen and I did our usual thrice-weekly mile walk, while chattering our heads off.
Lena! I congratulate you on your way to better health. I recently started a new diet myself. You can see it on my blog: http://3fatchicks.com/diet-blogs/wolfskies/
I am so glad that the LapBand is working so well for you. I would have gotten it myself, but apparently Florida an odd state. I was told that no one in the state covers it anymore unless you work for the State of Florida. *grumbles*
Luckily, there is this new weight loss clinic near me that people at work and even family members are going on and are getting great results on, so I decided to give it a try. I have seen people go from fat, wide hip, big butt women to small thin women that look so great that you just couldn't believe it was them!
Good luck on becoming a more wonderful thinner you. I can't believe so much has happened for you already! No cholesterol pills? WOW! No sleep apnea! WOWOWOW!!! No Pain pills either? Wow! You are doing so great and I am so proud of you. Keep me in your thoughts as I go through my battle to get down to 180lbs.
Howler, Tricare (military medical) paid for my LapBand, though I did have to meet certain criteria. Several other insurance companies here in Florida have no difficulties as well, or my bariatric surgeon wouldn't have needed to move twice in the past year just to make room for his massive practice. Someone is giving you a snow job.
I saw your blog and commented. Good luck!
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