Everyone

We've had a number of hardware issues recently. You've probably experienced problems on the message boards with posts disappearing and reappearing. The problem here has been the age of some of our servers. We've recently had a number of server failures which have caused problems in the databases that support the web site. In addition, the older servers are slow. Our newest software is going to need better, faster machines. We can't upgrade the website until we've improved our servers. This process is ongoing and we've replaced a number of them recently.

Friday evening, the 9th of December at around 10PM Pacific time, we're going to replace one of our main servers. When we replace this one, it will be impossible for a period of anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes to post to any of the message boards. This is a very important change to support future upgrades, but also it will replace old hardware that has been prone to failure.

We know how much you depend on the boards to make contact with people who are helping you. For some people, they've become a life line ... a way to reach for and achieve a new life. We're committed to serving you as well as we can, but we sometimes fail in getting changes done cleanly and so cause you problems. We'll do our best to let you know when things are changing so you can be prepared. We're here for you and we hope you'll at least give us credit for trying.

We appreciate your patience as we work through this.

Amy Williams
Member Services Dept

Hi, I am going out to see Dr. Frezza for my first post op appoinment. I was banded on 10/31/05. Anyone going out there Dec. 21?

Hello, Darleen, and congratulations! I hope this message finds you still doing well and on your way home! Yes, there is a WLS Support Group. It meets the first and third wednesdays of every month from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. We have anywhere from 10 - 30 people show up, and I find it really helpful. There are pre and post-op folks there, and all of them have great insights. I've also heard rumors there might be a support group just for Dr. Blackstone's patients beginning, but I won't swear to that. The location for the meetings is the Presbyterian Medical Center just off the Pan American Freeway at Harper. It's a 2 story building with an urgent care at ground level, which is the top floor. We meet in the basement, level 1 in a conference room there. It's to your left when you get off the elevator. We have a meeting tomorrow night on 12/7, so if you get this and feel like joining us, please do. Otherwise, as far as I know, we will be meeting again on 12/21. Again, congrats, and hope to see you soon! Kelly

Please let your elected officials and medicare know how your procedure has changed your life for the positive and that it should be covered. I feel the type of surgery to be performed should be decided by the patient and the doctor. Once medicare makes the change- private insurance companies will follow thier lead. Comments to: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/mcd/public_comment.asp?nca_id=160&basketitem= Also send a note to your Senator, Representative and President: http://mygov.governmentguide.com/mygov/home/ here is what Medicare has to say: "The evidence is not adequate to conclude that the following bariatric surgery procedures are reasonable and necessary and they are therefore non-covered for ALL Medicare beneficiaries: open vertical banded gastroplasty, laparoscopic vertical banded gastroplasty, open sleeve gastrectomy, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, open adjustable gastric banding, open biliopancreatic diversion with or without duodenal switch, and laparoscopic biliopancreatic diversion with or without duodenal switch. The two non-coverage determinations in the National Coverage Determination Manual (NCDM) remain unchanged: Gastric Balloon (NCDM Section 100.11) and Intestinal Bypass (NCDM Section 100.8). " Source: Proposed Decision Memo for Bariatric Surgery for the Treatment of Morbid Obesity (CAG-00250R) *** While the procedures above are not the most popular the decision on which procedure would be the most medically appropriate for the patient should be between the patient and doctor. I personally want to have the duodenal switch procedure. And my doctor is in agreement. Please oppose medicare not allowing medically proven procedures like the open biliopancreatic diversion with or without duodenal switch, and laparoscopic biliopancreatic diversion with or without duodenal switch. I believe the other procedures have thier specific place in the treatment of specific patients***

We no longer have a program in NM...look up my profile and sign up to our yahoo groups listed on my profile, you will get more responses and you can talk to people that have BC/BS and give you names of out of state dr's that will get approved....