What would you tell a politician that could help you????

Hi Friends! It's me again, your trusty pest, continuing to ask you for info that will aid in my lobbying the government on a local, state and national level to eliminate obesity discrimination AND to make insurance coverage for surgical weight loss a mandatory benefit. Even though I'm in Alabama I am working to lobby all 50 states. It's pay it forward time..........can you please, please help me by answering this question. If you could sit face to face with anyone in power and make a difference.....what would you say to them about WLS and how it will change or has changed your life? Hugs, Rona Your Bari-Godmother

Rona! It is so good to see your beautiful face again. It's me, Michelle (Shelly) Efird and Dr. Miles performed my surgery 9/20/2002 in Birmingham. Since then I've moved back to Arkansas, my home state. Anyway, about your question. This surgery has helped me live a little longer for my girls. It has helped my self esteem and the real "Shelly" to come back out again. I love the new me and my relationship with my husband is better too. I hurt for the people who can't have this surgery because of the cost and other reasons. They always tell you to diet and exercise, well, if that worked, there wouldn't be obese people in this world now would there?! This has given me the tool I needed to stop eating too much. Anyway, I just wanted to say hello. I'm going in for blood work on Monday and when I get the results back I'll be sure to fax it to Dr. Miles. When you see him tell him I said hello. I sure do love that doctor! --Shelly

Hi Rona, I have had two different insurance companies and have been denied by both. I have alot that I think insurance companies need to know. I am so glad that someone is going to fight these companies for me. If you need any help and I'm able, I'd love to help you. I don't know exactly what I would say because I'm not really good at expressing myself vocally. I think that it is something else that some insurance companies will continually pay for the medications of obese individuals, but will not pay for a surgery to get rid of all the co-morbidities, so that they would no longer have to pay for all the doctor visits and medications. That is just crazy to me. They will not cover an individual seeking insurance coverage if they are obese, so they must see that these people have many problems. They call themselves "health insurance companies." This means they insure our health when we buy their insurance, but my companies have NOT insured my health. I'm still just as unhealthy now if not worse because of their policy. They won't insure something that is proven to be effective and very helpful in eliminating co-morbidities. I guess they just want me to be dependant on them. Maybe they think that if I lose weight and become healthy, I won't need them anymore and they'll lose my business and all that MONEY!!! I hope this helps you some. Feel free to e-mail me for more info. Love, Karen Lemley