You know, one of those where you make a numbered list and write down certain things by certain numbers like "By the number 3, write down the name of a member of the opposite sex. And by number 7, write down the name of a song title." Those kind. Yeah. Then when you're done, it gives you the answers to what each of those things mean.
The creepy thing was it was right on target. I actually had tears in my eyes when I got to the last one, and it said "The song title in number 11 describes how you feel about your life." My song title was "Probably Shouldn't Be This Way" by LeAnn Rimes. I've often wondered why I was chosen to lead the life I do. I've done things to make it better, or thought I had, then I just backslide. I just wish upon a star I could catch that one major "lucky break." Just once.
I have my consult for the Lap-Band surgery on the 25th of this month. I'm now trying to race around getting tests and paperwork and all sorts of things needed for my insurance to pay for it. It's downright crazy. Let's think for a moment here. I live in one of the most technologically advanced, yet severely morbidly obese countries in the world. More people here die from things related to being obese than anywhere else on Earth. Yet, when you try to diet (and stick to it) and fail, and you're forced to go to a surgical alternative, the insurance companies throw a hissy fit. It's expensive, they say. It's complicated, it might not work, what if the weight returns. As if we don't question all that ourselves enough without them butting in!
But here's the kicker. If you're on disability, and get Medicare/Medicaid (the government insurance for disabled/poor/elderly folks, for those of you reading this who don't live in the USA), they will pay for years of you going in and out of the hospital for various complications due to high blood pressure, pneumonia, heart disease, heart attacks, diabetes...etc. Do you know how long you have to stay in the hospital if you have complications from diabetes? My cousin was in there for almost a MONTH, worrying every day that he was going to lose his foot, if not his whole leg. I hate to even dare to guess the cost of that hospital stay. But if you have M'care/M'caid, they pay it all, no sweat.
Let's also consider Medicare Part D, which is the prescription drug coverage. I pay $3 for each medicine, utnil the plan and I together have paid about $3k in drug costs. My medicines are very, very expensive, so normally I only have to actually pay for my medicines until mid-may or June, then the plan pays for the rest. How many people take medicine for diabetes (insulin), heart conditions, high blood pressure, thyroid, gallbladder, etc., where, if they had the ability to lose some weight, they might just get to stop taking most, if not all of those medicines?
To clarify, what I'm going on about is, if the state of the Medicare and Social Security system is so poor, why not approve an approximately $10,000 surgery (depending on when and where it happens, of course), enabling people to lead longer, healthier lives, rather than continue paying hundreds of thousands of dollars PER PERSON for hospital stays, medicines, doctor visits and the like? Enable people to have the choice to have the surgery, lose the weight, and get back into the workforce, thereby contributing to a better economy for all of us.
Naturally the weight loss success from surgery would depend on the person actually following doctor's orders and sticking to the diet prescribed. I realize that. But why not at least give it a chance? Give me a protein shake for a little while over a lifetime of insulin shots and heart medicine, ANY day of the week!
Sure, I'm nervous about this surgery. Half of me (the fat half) is scared of failing. Will I really be able to do this? The other half of me (the skinny half) is shouting "You go girl! You can do it!" and excited about being thinner and healthier again.
So I guess we'll see in 2 weeks. Keep your fingers crossed for me.
The creepy thing was it was right on target. I actually had tears in my eyes when I got to the last one, and it said "The song title in number 11 describes how you feel about your life." My song title was "Probably Shouldn't Be This Way" by LeAnn Rimes. I've often wondered why I was chosen to lead the life I do. I've done things to make it better, or thought I had, then I just backslide. I just wish upon a star I could catch that one major "lucky break." Just once.
I have my consult for the Lap-Band surgery on the 25th of this month. I'm now trying to race around getting tests and paperwork and all sorts of things needed for my insurance to pay for it. It's downright crazy. Let's think for a moment here. I live in one of the most technologically advanced, yet severely morbidly obese countries in the world. More people here die from things related to being obese than anywhere else on Earth. Yet, when you try to diet (and stick to it) and fail, and you're forced to go to a surgical alternative, the insurance companies throw a hissy fit. It's expensive, they say. It's complicated, it might not work, what if the weight returns. As if we don't question all that ourselves enough without them butting in!
But here's the kicker. If you're on disability, and get Medicare/Medicaid (the government insurance for disabled/poor/elderly folks, for those of you reading this who don't live in the USA), they will pay for years of you going in and out of the hospital for various complications due to high blood pressure, pneumonia, heart disease, heart attacks, diabetes...etc. Do you know how long you have to stay in the hospital if you have complications from diabetes? My cousin was in there for almost a MONTH, worrying every day that he was going to lose his foot, if not his whole leg. I hate to even dare to guess the cost of that hospital stay. But if you have M'care/M'caid, they pay it all, no sweat.
Let's also consider Medicare Part D, which is the prescription drug coverage. I pay $3 for each medicine, utnil the plan and I together have paid about $3k in drug costs. My medicines are very, very expensive, so normally I only have to actually pay for my medicines until mid-may or June, then the plan pays for the rest. How many people take medicine for diabetes (insulin), heart conditions, high blood pressure, thyroid, gallbladder, etc., where, if they had the ability to lose some weight, they might just get to stop taking most, if not all of those medicines?
To clarify, what I'm going on about is, if the state of the Medicare and Social Security system is so poor, why not approve an approximately $10,000 surgery (depending on when and where it happens, of course), enabling people to lead longer, healthier lives, rather than continue paying hundreds of thousands of dollars PER PERSON for hospital stays, medicines, doctor visits and the like? Enable people to have the choice to have the surgery, lose the weight, and get back into the workforce, thereby contributing to a better economy for all of us.
Naturally the weight loss success from surgery would depend on the person actually following doctor's orders and sticking to the diet prescribed. I realize that. But why not at least give it a chance? Give me a protein shake for a little while over a lifetime of insulin shots and heart medicine, ANY day of the week!
Sure, I'm nervous about this surgery. Half of me (the fat half) is scared of failing. Will I really be able to do this? The other half of me (the skinny half) is shouting "You go girl! You can do it!" and excited about being thinner and healthier again.
So I guess we'll see in 2 weeks. Keep your fingers crossed for me.
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