Jessica Simpson's The Price of Beauty

VH1 TV Shows

Music Videos
Celebrity Photos
News & Gossip

 
I'm watching the premiere episode of Jessica Simpson's new reality show The Price of Beauty tonight at 10 PM on VH1.
 
Then I'm moving to Uganda. No fat hut needed.

I'm not just overweight, I'm under tall.

Yesterday, I set out to find an inexpensive bed frame at IKEA. As I examined the bed in the store I noticed there was a foundation of some time under the matress, not just wooden slats. Since my box spring is still in good shape and the bed slats I was going to buy cost $120, I wanted to find out if I could possibly just use what I already had. I asked a salesman and he said that I could use the box spring I had, no need to purchase slats.

GREAT! That allowed room in the budget for the Expedit bookcase, drawers, and doors I wanted!

So after the adventure of finding our merchandise in the warehouse, loading it into the car (some of it had to be taken out of the box in order to fit), getting it all inside the house, taking down the old bed, manuvering the clutter in my room to work, and putting the metal frame together. My friend puts down box spring then puts the mattress on top.

I burst into laughter. The bed was sooo high! I'm only 5'3".

The matress is pillow top on both sides. I can get one cheek up on it, then wiggle the rest of me up. It feels VERY sturdy. Despite the price, this is heavy metal, and a solid steel midbeam. I feel much better on a box spring which I know can hold up to my weight and motion.

So Big Girl is happy with the bed, Short Girl is getting used to it.

Off topic: I have to give big thanks to my friend who helped me get my bed. The loading, unloading, putting together. I have to say growing up that process would have been filled with yelling and cussing. I remember the first time my old roommate's family came to put her day bed together, I was amazed at how quiet they were. They were even missing pieces and still no one got upset. Wow...is this how normal people do things? So yesterday instead of cussing and yelling, it was laughter. I think the only time I cursed was saying "oh damn" when I saw how high the bed was.

In Search of a Big Girl Bed

Let’s start with a moment of silence for the innocent furniture victims whose lives I cut short: 1 recliner, 1 plastic lawn chair (honest only 1), 1 tree house step, 1 wooden dining room chair, 2 couches, 2 box springs, and 1 metal bed frame.

You know how difficult it is to find JUST a box spring??? Probably about as difficult as it is to get information from IKEA.

My current full size bed is 7 years old. My mom bought it for me after I had major surgery. At the time I had given up on bed frames and had my broken box spring and mattress on my floor. When my mom bought my current bed she bought an extra support beam. Thanks Mom!

However, it wouldn’t matter how many support beams were underneath because the beams tip over. Currently, both beams are tipped over so I am only supported by the perimeter frame…and it’s still holding up!!! But, the frame has wheels, and my floors are wooden. It’s the easily shifting frame that causes the beams to fall. I could just be turning over in bed, the wheels move, the beams fall. It’s annoying. Also, I got rid of the brass headboard two moves ago because it never stayed secure to the frame.

In the end, I decided I want/need a new bed. I don’t have a lot of $$$ for this. I want to keep the mattress so I figure just stay with full size for now and in few more years I can upgrade to a queen bed (or king…I think that discussion is still on the table).

So looking around I found IKEA has some inexpensive bed frames. I have bought several chests of drawers, office chair, and other items from IKEA and have been impressed. But a bed? I mean a chest of drawers made out of particle board and foil is one thing…but a bed?

I asked for some opinions. I Googled. Then I did what any smart person would do and I asked IKEA!

I flat out told them what I weighed and asked for the weight limit/capacity of the two beds I was interested in.

This was there reply:

Hello Sarah,

Thank you for taking the time to contact us.


This product does not have a published weight limit. It is a well designed product and will provide good function for which it is designed. The design, weight capacity and function of each product undergoes test to ensure the product will hold up to normal use. If the product is used for something other than the designed function, IKEA is not responsible for loss to personal injury or property.

We do hope that this information has been helpful, and we thank you for your inquiry.

Best Regards,
IKEA Customer Care Center

So can I get the weight capacity at which you test the product??? And what is “normal use”. My mind could twist that in all sorts of directions. But basically I want to know, will the bed hold my fat ass and an occasional slumber party buddy?

Today I’m going to IKEA and jumping on beds. If I get arrested for vandalism, please someone post my bail.

UPDATE
Withing minutes of posting this blog entry IKEA replied to my follow-up e-mail I sent last night asking if I could get the tested weight capacity. I think it's just coincidence.

Hello Sarah,

Thank you for your reply. We are glad to hear from you again.

As the weight in a bed is generally not motionless an exact weight limit cannot be determined. However, for full beds the largest weight that has been placed on these beds is 440 lbs so we would not recommend exceeding that weight.

We do hope that this information has been helpful, and we thank you for your inquiry.


Best Regards,
IKEA Customer Care Center

As the weight in a bed is generally not motionless <---- I'll be have myself. As for the 440lbs...guess that means no slumber party buddy. =(

Bringing Sexy-- Baby Got-- Back

I was hit on today. For real.

The story begins for my desire for a cute green dress from Old Navy. This week it’s on sale, and despite their plus size clothing being sold exclusively online (nice how they make that sound special, when it’s really not) the in store misses sizes go up to XXL and I can often fit into certain styles. I decided I wanted to save the $7 shipping fee and go to the store instead of ordering online…2 dresses, 2 shirts, 1 skirt, and 1 necklace later, I think the $7 shipping fee would have been the better deal.

However, it was nice to try things on. When I put on the green dress, it hugged my baby got back just right and I thought “oh that’s going to turn some heads”.

While I’m at the counter the young woman ringing my items commented on my “pretty blue eyes”, I explained I have blue eyes and blue contacts, thank you, yes that blue necklace will look nice on me.

So as I’m leaving this guy holds the door open for me. As we walk into the parking lot he comments on my “pretty blue eyes”. I laugh since I JUST had this conversation…and I wasn’t even wearing blue or a color that typically draws more attention to my eye color.
As a matter of fact, I was in black yoga pants, a gray t-shirt, flip-flops and a pony tail. I had been to the doctor, Starbucks, and was just running errands. No reason to get beautified.

So after my blue eyes with blue contacts because I used to lose my contacts in high school, blah blah blah explanation he asked me if perhaps his eyes would look as blue. I told him it depends, but he should ask his eye doctor for a free sample pair. Then he commented on the weather, somehow I made mention of being from Ohio. He said he was in from New Jersey. Then he said “Can I tell you something, I hope you won’t be offended”. I smile, “go ahead I have very thick skin”. –literally

“There is just something so attractive about a plus size woman who exudes confidence,” he said.
All I could do was smile and say, “I know. If I could bottle it I would.”

He went on to say the internet has brought more awareness to the BBW culture. He asked me if I was on any BBW sites or chats. I politely said I was aware of a few. For my non-fatty friends BBW stands for Big Beautiful Women.

He went on about how great it was that more women are confident with themselves. And he actually pointed out guys who drove or walked by and checked me out. Although I'm not so vain that I think everyone who looks at me is checking me out, some people just look and stare because of my arms.

“See there’s another one, I told you. Go to right up here to the mall and walk by some guy with a skinny hungry girlfriend, he’ll still take a glance at you.”

Yes, I realize this seems a bit creepy…and when the guy mentioned that there are even BBW who frequent the local clothing optional beach I was wondering where the heck he was going with all this. But in the end he was just nice and bestowing a very nice compliment. We probably stood and spoke in the parking lot for five minutes, as I headed to my car he said “well, see you around, you never know maybe next time I’m in town we can have drinks.”

We didn’t exchange names or phone numbers, so that is not likely going to happen.

It's not about how many times you fall....

What matters is that you always get back up!

Last week was a bad week for me. Some long awaited plans that were finally taking shape were suddenly put on hold again. I'm not sure if it was exactly that, or something else but this weekend was bad...pre-op bad. I'm a bit too embarrassed to give the details, but at least I realizes "whoa" what are you doing, and WHY are you doing it??? Was it this one let down that triggered a slip back to VERY bad habits? Why this ONE thing when there were several other highlights in the past two weeks. Despite years of dealing with these issues, things happen. I could dwell on them and continue the cycle of guilt, eat, guilt, eat...or I could pick myself up and get back to what I know is best for me.

Tonight I went to water aerobics, it wasn't even the workout that I wanted. I needed the water. It felt good. It's an hour of not thinking about anything but what the instructions are and listening to some AWESOME music tonight.

Nothing in life is easy, no matter who you are, what you look like, or how much money you have. I have fallen many times, each time I get back up, sometimes it takes longer than others, but what matters is I do it, and honestly when I look back at how many times I've fallen I realize nothing will keep me down for long...I build strength through each experience.

My Story in Support of HR 4662: Lymphedema Treatment Bill

I receieved an e-mail this week from the National Lymphedema Network annoucing that legistlation regarding Lymphdema treatment had been introduced in Congress. As I read the e-mail I began to cry, because finally my struggle was being addressed. There were others out there who understood, and better yet there were people in a position of power who were willing to make change happen.

H.R. 4662: Lymphedema Diagnosis and Treatment Cost Saving Act of 2010

My story:
I was diagnosed with bilateral lower extremity lymphedema in December 2001. From 2002-2004, I received manual lymph therapy and compression wrapping to reduce the swelling of my legs. During this same time I was hospitalized approximately 8 times for cellulitis, had a medi-port placed for IV antibiotics, and had weeks of home health care three different times. The cost of this care was hundreds of thousands of dollars. During most of this time I was covered by Ohio Medicaid. However, my last major infection in September 2004, which was accompanied with a deep vein thrombosis and required two weeks in the hospital, was covered by United Healthcare, which I had through my new employer.

In October 2004, I began three months of manual lymph therapy and compression wrapping. I was limited to 20 sessions of occupational therapy during my plan year. However, January 1st a new year began and I would have a new set of 20 sessions. There was a two week gap. Compression wrapping requires continued wrapping to avoid any set-backs and flare ups. Two weeks without being wrapped would undo the previous 2 1/2 months of progress. And yet, the insurance company refused to authorize the additional visits for the plan year.

After I recovered from the set back from the gap in care, I reached a point where custom fitted compression garments were ordered. Once the compression therapy reduced the size of my legs as much as possible, the compression garments would help maintain the size of my legs by reducing the daily swelling. Because of the odd shape of my legs, the garments had to be custom fitted, so the correct level of compression was provided. The average cost of a full pair of garments is $1000. Typically, garments need replaced every 6 months.

Now compared to the hundreds of thousands of dollars I previously racked up in medical bills, one would think $2000 is a much better deal. Especially given that I would have some responsibility to pay a portion of the $2000 through my co-pay or deductible for Durable Medical Equipment under my insurance plan. In the business sense, garments are a much better option than numerous hospital stays and costly medication for cellulitis.

And yet, every year I have to fight my insurance company to get my compression garments covered.

This bill is very much needed. It's a shame it will take an act of Congress to make the industry understand that prevention of complications is less expensive than treating the complication. I know as a patient, no matter how uncomfortable compression garments are to wear some days, I'd much rather wear my garments than to suffer a case of painful cellultis.

Proof that treatment works!!!

From the NLN e-mail:

"I encourage you to contact your local Representatives and Senators. Urge them to co-sponsor H.R. 4662 and to introduce a similar bill in the Senate. Stress the fact that this bill is projected to save hundreds of millions of dollars every year in avoidance of costs of treating preventable lymphedema-related cellulitis. This is a quality of care issue affecting insured patients and is complementary to healthcare access issues. Time is of the essence for you who have had difficulty in obtaining proper treatment for your LE. We may never have a better opportunity!


You may find your Congressional representatives by going to http://www.contactingthecongress.org and entering your address."

Surprised, Shamed, Accepted

Last week I received a call from the Social Security Administration (SSA). The woman stated I was due for an annual review. Annual review seemed odd since I had not received any Supplemental Security Income since 2004, and last spoke to someone at SSA in 2005 for what I thought was an over the phone exit interview. She said the computer indicated I was due for a review because I might possibly qualify for Social Security Disability, if I wasn't working and was still disabled.

I'm not working, but I'm trying to find a job. I want to work. I got myself off SSI, Medicaid and food stamps six years ago because I wanted to be a contributing member of society. And after years of living on SSI and credit cards I can't afford to be on SSD.

I am disabled. As much as the smile on my face, and positive outgoing attitude might indicate I'm otherwise, it's not easy for me to work. The best thing for my lymphedema would be to keep my legs elevated at all times. Find me a legal job, without having to move to Nevada, where that is possible. Wearing compression garments allows me to be on my feet or sitting throughout the day, but as the day progresses and the swelling resumes, the garments pinch and start to hurt. But I know others deal with far worse than I do, and I'm lucky to have garments so I don't complain. I go about life the best I can.

So I go in for the review, I explain to the woman that I had called SSA when I got laid off and was told that if I made more than $500 a month they could not help me. In addition, I had a 401k to which I thought I would have to completely drain before I could receive any assistance. She said well it appears you now have enough work credits to get SSD whereas when you first applied in 2000 you did not and could only get SSI. Do you want to apply for SSD?

No, I don't want back on the system. I can't live off SDD for the rest of my life. But I also don't want to tell SSA "no". What if I need them in five years, will a "no review" on my record hinder my ability to receive assistance in the future? I told her I'd rather apply and be told I do not qualify than to refuse the review. Oh, but by the way, my unemployment benefits is more than $500 a month. She said that doesn't matter for SSD.

So she asked if I'm married, have kids, work, address, etc. No request for my current doctor, no request for any of the thick folder of bank statements, ultility bills, or tax documents. She did confirm my disability was morbid obesity and I quickly added "and lymphedema and lipedema". Sadly, my SSI was given to me simply because I was fat. How embarrassing, true my weight at over 500lbs prevented me from being able to work but embarrassing to have to admit. So a few more taps on the keyboard and she says, "o.k. everything is good to go, you'll get a check in 4-6 weeks".

What? That's it. I know people fight for years to get SSD and I just got coverted from SSI to SSD in all of 15 minutes.

Surprised: I couldn't believe it was that simple. Someone is watching over me, had I not been called in for a review I would have never thought I could get any type of help. I had asked and was told otherwise based on my previous status.

Shamed: While the assistance is needed and is a relief that I'll be able to live and pay my bills while looking for work, and I could possibly get Medicare (I *heart* government healthcare) in the future, I have a feeling of shame. I had worked so hard to better my overall condition through improved health and education to get OFF the system, and here I am back ON. I don't want to be like my cousin who boasted to my mom about "finally getting SSD, so he'll never have to work again". He even claimed to have "the same thing Sarah's got wrong with her legs"...the loathing I feel towards him....I started to feel towards myself for slipping back on assistance.

Accepted: I am disabled. I'm not working. The point of SSD is to provide assistance to the disabled. I paid into the system, and now it is helping me when I need it. It's not forever. When I find a job the benefits will stop, as they did before. There is no shame in needing help. I will not resign to living on the system, what I did before I can do again. Only this time it will be a bit easier, I already have my education and my health is improved since 2000.