Pricey, but permanent solution in sight
Ok, so who wants to guess how much money they want, per month?
You meet with them for an initial consultation, bloodwork, other labs, etc. This includes meeting with the doctor that runs the program, an hourlong session with the nurse to set some real goals, a dietician, an exercise physiologist, and a behavioral health therapist. That is $550. It includes 6 months free at the YMCA & there are people there affiliated with the program to help you get started with a workout program. (nevermind that I have a membership with a YMCA that is not affiliated with them. Grrrrr.)
You meet with the MD once a month. You meet with the nurse once a month. These appts are 2 weeks apart. On the weeks you don’t meet with one of them, the nurse will call you to see how you are doing.
You meet with the dietician once a month in a group setting. If you have questions, concerns, etc, that is where to bring them up.
You meet with the exercise person once a month, to tweak anything that you’re doing at the gym.
You meet with the behavioral therapist twice a month, in a group setting.
All this can be yours for the bargain basement price of $250/month.
You know what though?
a) my body fat percentage is higher than my friend’s husband’s was before his gastric. Oh yeah. That b!+ch put me on a Tanita scale & gave me my bod composition. It breaks down the pounds, man. Into fat, water & muscle. Guess everyone who thought I was full of s&!+ was wrong. HAHAHAHAHAHAH
b) they offer this payment program called CareCredit. You pay anywhere from $15+ every month & the first year is no interest. The interest after that is only 11%. That is not as bad as 19 or 20. Without Care Credit I would not be able to do this and until she said that it was available, I felt bad for having wasted her time.
c) I have to do this. If not now, when? When my health gets worse? Is that even possible? All my life, except for the last 5 years, I’ve been proud to say I was one of those fat people who was healthy as a horse. Not so much anymore.
d) when you think about it, can you put a price on your health? This program sounds very structured, and UNlike gastric, lapband, weight watchers, etc, they deal with a behavioral health person, which I find to be amazing. I need to get inside my head to find out WHY I do the things I do. Such as eat only 1 package of ramen noodles all day & then binge on frosted mini wheats @ midnight. 
I have yet to make a final decision on this, but it’s looking like my only option. I want to go to picnics & parties next summer & wow everyone, not depress them with how fat I still am.
Also this comes on the heels of news from Sheboygan that my grandfather is now below 300 pounds. The man has been diabetic or pre-diabetic for the last 10-15 years. He raised 7 children & likes to have sweets in the house, “in case someone stops by”. I guess his doctor has put an end to that. I’m excited to see & talk to him.
I am waiting to make a decision about this until I am done with the autopap machine this week. It’s measuring how much pressure I need on my C-PAP machine at night, then they will re-calibrate my machine if need be. And if that doesn’t work I get to go back to the hospital for a nap study. Boo.
Hope everyone else is having a great week! xoxox
Posted by suchaprettyface on November 15th, 2007 under inside outOne Response to “Pricey, but permanent solution in sight”
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November 15th, 2007 at 3:43 am
I know the price is a bit steep, but the program sounds really good and solid. The fact that you have a real doctor following every month (and more often if the nurse feels necessary probably) and weekly contact, and a dietician, and personalized exercise counseling — honestly, I think it’s a great deal and a great program. If they had it here I’d do it.
I think a serious approach like this could be the way to make real permanent changes. It won’t be easy - most of the work is YOU, but it sounds like a really solid plan.
Hope you can work out the finances to make it work. Good luck