Comments for Michelle's Low Carb Lifestyle

Comment on Does Gastric Bypass Really Work? by Sarthak

Sarthak — Tue, 22 May 2012 15:12:20 +0000

Do not listen to what anoyne has responded so far, except mbcratz and zippy. The rest might mean well, but they gave horribly misleading responses.Here’s the deal your mom’s contract excludes gastric bypass. Unfortunately, it doesn’t matter how much she needs it or what documentation the doctor sends in when something is excluded from your policy, medical necessity is completely irrelevant.Her doctor’s office could send in all the documentation in the world to her insurance company’s medical review department. The medical review deparment could look at it and say “yep, we agree 100% she is a perfect candidate for gastric bypass based on her medical information.” And it still wouldn’t matter exclusions are exclusions, period.Forgive me if I sound blunt or harsh, but I just wanted to be very clear some of the other answers are saying “oh, just have her doctor prove she needs it” and steering you in the wrong direction.No matter how much she needs it and even if the insurance company agrees that, medically, she “needs” the surgery, it will never be covered under her policy. No way, no how. Exclusions are exclusions, period.She has 2 options: 1) Save up the money and pay herself. or 2) Somehow convince her employer to stop excluding gastric bypass from their coverage options, which still wouldn’t take effect until 2009 anyhow.I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but unfortunately it is what it is.

Comment on Carnie Wilson and Why I am not a Fan of Gastric Bypass by Keiichiro

Keiichiro — Tue, 22 May 2012 01:34:51 +0000

The lap band is more reliable and there’s no cuntitg and rerouting of the intestine and you can still eat normally. I know someone who had it and has lost 90 pounds and counting and she said at least when she gets to her ideal weight she can have it removed and it won’t restrict her to a permanent diet and portion of an egg. The procedure will allow less time for hospitalization and you’re not as sick as someone who’s had gastric bypass. Check out the lap band procedure and see if that would be a less drastic means to lose weight and the risk factors are less with this option for surgical assisted weight loss. Check with your health insurance company to see if they cover weight loss surgery. Gastric bypass is around $30,000-35,000. Lap band should be a little bit cheaper plus less complications since you get to go home within a few hours to a day not spending several days in the hospital.

Comment on Obesity Continues to Rise in the United States by Tudor

Tudor — Mon, 21 May 2012 13:53:00 +0000

I absolutely agree with you Lynn. The South Beach Diet is polapur for a good reason. It is a solid and reputable program developed by a nationally recognized cardiologist, Dr. Arthur Agatston. It has been around for quite a few years now. I know a number of people who have had great success following the program.Most people prefer not to follow a structured program, however, for others it is exactly what works best!As a nutritionist, I am cautious about which programs I recommend to my website visitors. The South Beach Diet is a good choice for those who want to go the low carb route for weight loss and maintenance.

Comment on Carnie Wilson and Why I am not a Fan of Gastric Bypass by Michelle Burton

Michelle Burton — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 19:51:45 +0000

I still do not believe people should surgically alter their stomachs to drop weight. 40-50 years ago Americans were slim without gastric bypass. Something happened and that something was we (Americans) began to eat a lot of junk, processed foods.

Comment on Carnie Wilson and Why I am not a Fan of Gastric Bypass by Fred

Fred — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 18:20:17 +0000

In her (theoretical) defense, the gastric bypass has a not-insignificant failure rate over time. That failure manifests itself in a “blown” sphincter where the smaller stomach is re-attached to the small intestine. When that happens, people put weight back on.

In this case, however, it doesn’t sound like that was Wilson’s problem (or if it was, she has a terrible doctor).

This struck me from the People piece:

“No flour. No sugar. No butter. No carbohydrates. I only have brown rice. I am going to try brown rice pasta next week. I am bringing back good habits. I have about six mini meals a day. I eat every 2-3 hours. My meals are about a cup of food. The portions are controlled. I focus on protein. I have 80 grams of protein a day. In addition to that, I have snacks. I love Greek yogurt.”

I don’t know who her doctor is, but that is NOT the diet any reputable bariatric surgeon would recommend. No rice, no pasta, no bread. *Normal* meals, three times a day (mini-meals = grazing). No snacks, either.

I *am* a fan of the gastric bypass (and the lap band, and the vertical sleeve gastrectomy), I’ve seen it work for many people (and continue to work, permanently), but the three biggest factors in success are a good surgeon, a good support network, and a dedication to changing your eating habits for good. Reading this makes me wonder if Wilson had any of these.

Comment on Carnie Wilson and Why I am not a Fan of Gastric Bypass by Michelle Burton

Michelle Burton — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 14:19:55 +0000

Yes, I also think WLS a big money maker for doctors.

Comment on Carnie Wilson and Why I am not a Fan of Gastric Bypass by ldyclements

ldyclements — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 13:58:31 +0000

I totally agree with you. Have friends who have had their stomachs stapled and after a couple of years, are wanting do the same thing — lap band. Just proves to me that it’s garbage in — garbage STAYS. Period.

Comment on Why African-American Women Must Lose Weight by Michelle Burton

Michelle Burton — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 18:17:10 +0000

I agree. I think the difference with me is I do not have children and am not married. I know if I did I would be under so much stress.

If you need suggestions, I would love to support you. Email me at thelibraryteacher@gmail.com

Comment on Why African-American Women Must Lose Weight by Paula Wells

Paula Wells — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 14:29:07 +0000

Michelle, thank you for your article. I am one of many AA women working on shedding some
unwanted pounds, building muscle and getting my weight under control to limit visits to the doctor. Iagree that black women and white women see weight differently, but although white women as a whole are more cognizant of what they are eating, most of them live completely different lives than we do. For example, I am a single mom with a very demanding career. I want to ensure my daughter is afforded the same opportunities as her white counterparts, therefore I have to work hard, deal with the stress of being the only AA and one of the only women in my male dominated office. You know what this means: I have to work 200 times harder for them to take me seriously. My time is limited. I am mentally and physically drained when I get home. My family doesn’t live in the city I moved to to take this demanding job so it all falls on me. Now, I’m not making excuses. I wouldn’t have it any other way because it shows my daughter drive, determination and a great work ethic. My point in all of this is that in order for black women lose weight and give their white counterparts a run for their money , we must work 200 times harder than them to break the unhealthy eating and lack of exercise cycle that we’ve witnessed for most of our lives. And then on top of that deal with the stress of providing for your family and keeping the house clean and being there for our children. I am sure if AA women had a support network of other AA women with similar goals and responsibilities, losing the weight wouldn’t seem like the daunting task I have before me. In fact, writing this gives me a great idea. Why don’t I start that support group.

Most of my colleague’s wives don’t work. They stay home even after the children are old enough to take care of themselves. Most AA women don’t have this choice. We have to work. HARD. In everything. Losing weight just have to make its way closer to the top of the list. All the best to you. Your blog has inspired me.

Comment on Update on my Health by Wsb

Wsb — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 15:06:51 +0000

Catching up with blogs… You have your vit d levels checked, right? Recent study on fibroids in mice with vit d may be worth a look.