I have lost 22 pounds since September and there's a lesson in it

[rpannier]

Background.
I live in Korea.
In January 2010 I had surgery for a hernia which the doctor told me was severe.
It took the better part of five months to recover to where I could do strenuous activities. By the end of August I had ballooned to 219 pounds and it was then I started a running 4-6 days a week.

The process:
I have a job that pays me about 60k a year. (Buying power equivalent to making 60k a year in the US during the 60's/70's).
Korea has National Health Care (not the best in the world, but it's still good). For the surgery, a semi-private room, the medicine and hospital room I paid 1,000 dollars. (My monthly premiums are 54.00)
The medicine I got when I left the hospital (2 weeks worth) cost me about $53.00.
My follow up visits to the surgeon (2 visits) cost me 30.00 the first time and 20.00 the second time.
MY follow ups with my doctor cost 4 dollars a visit and the medicine he prescribed me cost me about 8 dollars (2 separate occassions for pain)
In September, I joined a gym (120.00 every 3 months). I went to see my doctor on a few occassions at the beginning to monitor my progress 4 dollars a visit.
When I strained muscles in my shoulder they injected dye in my shoulder to x-ray 60.00.

What's the lesson:
When you have a job that doesn't require you to get a 2nd job and you have affordable access to quality medical coverage that encourages you to use it to be healthy good things, like good health are much easier to attain.
But, when you're forced to work two or three crappy part time jobs that pay very little and force you to eat on the fly (as you run from one job to another). At the same time you can't afford to see a doctor when you're sick or injured because it could destroy you financially or result in you losing that coverage then you get a society that is disfunctional at best.

[Kurovski]

1. K&R

:kick:

[roguevalley]

2. from your lips to God's ear. by the way, congratulations on your

working toward health.

[rpannier]

7. Thanks much

It's not easy to lose the weight
Part of the reason is, I'm not as young as I'd like to be

It also reminds me to be more patient and understanding with people who are much heavier than I am.
If I have trouble losing weight, I can now imagine how hard it is for someone who is 50+ pounds overweight to get it off

[cate94]

16. You know that weight you lost?

I think I found it. You can take it back any time....

Good job on getting healthier.

[dkf]

3. How well are doctors compensated in S. Korea and how much does medical school cost?

[rpannier]

4. My doctor did his undergrad work in Illinois and did his grad work at Stanford

They make 6 figures.

on edit: Undergraduate work is about 12-16k a year
Med school, I don't know. But I'd guess 20-35k a year.
Since Military Service is compulsary many probably get it in conjunction with their service
That's what my dentist did

[lonestarnot]

5. Wonder why that is such a hard fucking thing for richies to get?

They get it, but they continue to steal more every day. Doesn't matter, apparently we are disposable over here.

[Beartracks]

27. I don't get it either, 'cause a healthy workforce...

... improves the bottom line all-around.

--------------------------------

[Hannah Bell]

6. kr

[medeak]

8. congratulations! lost 40 lbs in last 4 months

husband had to retire as suffering from Parkinson's...so park motor home on beach and have luxury to walk on beach 2 hours a day...sand softens the joint pain!

[rpannier]

9. Great you lost the weight

Sad it couldn't be under more positive circumstances
Here's wishing you and your husband the best

[PSzymeczek]

28. Congrats to all who lost.

I've lost 17 since June 2010. I have a hiatal hernia and GERD (what my daughter refers to as angry tummy) and can't eat more than a little bit at a time. That and the random barfing.

[eridani]

10. Yessss!!! Someone finally connects class privilege and weight!

thank you

[Granny M]

11. Congrats!

Unfortunately, I believe I have found the 22 pounds that you lost =(
And I have no excuse, as we live in Europe and have good health care. Just need to get moving.

[democracy1st]

12. K & R

[lupinella]

13. Shout this from the mountaintops!

"But, when you're forced to work two or three crappy part time jobs that pay very little and force you to eat on the fly (as you run from one job to another). At the same time you can't afford to see a doctor when you're sick or injured because it could destroy you financially or result in you losing that coverage then you get a society that is disfunctional at best."

I work multiple jobs & can attest that I am at my healthiest when I have the time to exercise regularly, prepare healthy meals & not be physically & mentally stressed from several commutes in a single day. Also, sleep - the MOST important part of maintaining good health & very hard to do when your work schedule is erratic.
Tomorrow I go in for my annual contract talks with my employer that provides my most stable schedule & my benefits. Due to restructuring, I'm one of many on the chopping block. The last two weeks have seen the majority of my co-workers call-in sick or request an extra day off because we are all racked with worry at losing the single biggest benefit we gain from our job: health insurance.

How screwed up are we as a society when the fear of losing health insurance drives us to making ourselves ill? (/rhetorical question.)

I love my career, but am desperately seeking a mid-life change so that I can gain insurance stability & calm.

Thank you for this post; it came when I needed it most.

[Moody]

14. and thanks for yours - you speak for many.

[rpannier]

15. Glad I could be of help

I feel for people who are in your position, I was myself from 1998-1999.
Hope things work out at your contract talk

[dotymed]

17. Amazingly,

Korea was (mostly) rebuilt by the Allies, America was chief among them. Their Constitution and universal health care was a direct result of FDR's proposed 2nd bill of rights. Most of the countries rebuilt after WWII got the same "perks" (rights). I realize that the Korean War was afterward, but still, the flourishing economy of the European Nations that were rebuilt under FDR was the model that was used for rebuilding S. Korea. Too bad we were not structurally devastated (Sarcasm?) by WWII. Then we too, would have the 2nd bill of rights and once the citizens are used to freedom and comfortability it is much harder to take it away.
"They" did not have much trouble rescinding the protections against tyranny that FDR placed on our economy. It was more of an abstract thing that did not alert the proles. They envisioned getting wealthy by screwing Americans, right along with the elites.....how did that work for you?

[Solly Mack]

18. K&R

[Myrina]

19. Quite a lesson, indeed. Taking care of people leads to healthy people.

Our profit-driven society, unfortunately, has lost sight that the most important resource in 'creating' profit, is a healthy and functional workforce. They are going to drive us all into the ground (financially, physically and mentally) while providing less and less incentive to get up and do it every day, until the bottom falls out.

[deaniac21]

20. People are traveling from all over the world to get Korean

health care!

[Yavin4]

21. You Live In A Truly Representative Democracy

Your government enacts policies that benefit your citzenry. Our government enacts policies that only benefit the super wealthy and then hope that some money trickles down on us.

[BrklynLiberal]

22. ...but6...but..they say the US has the best healthcare in the universe!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bullwinkle428]

23. Thanks for a great illustration of the vicious circle that exists in

this country under our present system.

[blackspade]

24. Nice OP

Underscores that the fixes need are not 'complicated.'

[sofa king]

25. How do you fit it in between Starcraft matches?

Behold, the greatest spectator sport in Korea, and soon the world:

http://www.youtube.com/user/AdebisiStarcraft#p/a/u/2/EEX_ul2ptKQ

[underpants]

26. Wow- not only we getting ripped off we are being made fat on purpose

great perspective.