Hey all, Well, I home (briefly) from the writer's conference this week, and I've been asked to submit an article to a businesswomen's magazine regarding weight in the workplace. I'm hoping ya'all can help, lol. Both men and women can chime in here. Here are the survey questions, you can reply here or email them to me. No names will be used in the article, but please let me know in what type of industry you work: 1. What were/are your top 5 frustrations with being overweight in the workplace? 2. What have been the top 5 advantages of your weight loss as it pertains to your work environment? (Or, if you're pre-op, what are you looking forward to?) 3. If you would like, please share a personal story (remember, no names will be used unless you ask me to) that relates to one of the above questions. 4. What would be your top 5 suggestions to women who are struggling with weight related issues in the workplace? Please feel free to add any comments, suggestions, or personal stories/tips you would like. Also, if you would be open to the possibility of having your before/after pictures in the article, please let me know. (This is NOT a requirement) Though this is not a faith-based article, please feel free to comment in that vein if you wish. Here's a chance to make our voices heard! Thanks so much everyone! Blessings! -Perry 358/325/272/210 Perry P. Perkins Christian Novelist Just Past Oysterville: Shoalwater Book One Read chapter one - (www) perryperkinsbooks.com

Hello Lawanda, I live in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Moved here in 1996 from Loveland,Co. I love it here also. I work for the Federal Government, Veterans Administration Health Care. You don't mention what type of job you are looking for, but there is a VA hospital in Sioux Falls, and the VA is a great place to work for. I have Blue Cross/ Blue Shield Federal and they covered all but 10% of the surgery and doctor bill. No letter was needed as long as the doc deemed it medically necessary and you are at least 100 lbs overweight. A wonderful surgeon, Dr. Lee Trotter, is in Rapid City. He does open and lap. And does great follow-up care with his patients. But that may be a bit to far for you to come. I don't have any info on the surgeons in the area you are moving to. Hope this helps. Best of luck to you. Glenna

Hello all, I currently live in CO, but am moving to SD (Sioux Falls area) around late October early Novemeber. From what I have seen I love the state already. I was just wondering if there is any way of finding out what some great companies to work for are. Of sourse, if you know that their insurance covers the WLS, that is even better, as I am wanting to have it done. Thanks, LP

Well thank you for the reply at least. I was starting to get worried...I had a question about Medicaid for my mother, but I am finding it easier that I research it myself. How is it in SD? My family and I are moving to Soux Falls in November...my husband got a promotion.

Geez... my AMOS family doesn't let me forget anything... especially when it's anniversaries. Five years today... WOW! Time goes by. I know I did a bunch of blabbing yesterday... today.. how's my life changed in five years? Naw, I won't go into that... you all hear the same things over and over on that. My biggest excitements are hearing people call me "skinny", "tiny"... etc. That's something I'm still not used to. In my head, I'm still a big person. When I look in the mirror.. or walk by the window... I still can't believe that's me I'm seeing. Being in Wisconsin recently (and I'm still getting to all your pics..I've been trying to get magazine stuff together so we have the B&A section for the next issue) and meeting some of the people who my Team and I work for and seeing their excitement of the possibilities of being in the magazine... it's all undescribable. It's fun and exciting. We put a lot of hours into getting the pics done for all of you. To finally put faces and bodies and personalities to those Thank Yous is invaluable to the work we all do. Well, as you all can see... there are many who gain weight after a few years. It's a warning we all hear, it's talked about in magazines and TV shows. I'm glad I'm one who can beat those odds. I'm glad I can be an example that it doesn't HAVE to be that way. The tool is still there... keep using it... don't give up on yourselves... you can all beat the odds as I and many others have. Don't graze... don't drink w/ meals (I still don't drin****il 45 mins after eating)... follow what you're taught and what your doctor tells you to do. I eat chocolates. Hershey Kisses are my SIN. I love them! So, don't w/hold on yourself, or as in dieting, you'll go so long w/out.. then overdue 'cuz the craving is so bad. In between meals.. drink lots. As they say, many times when you think you're hungry, you're actually thirsty... so I always try the water first. If I'm still hungry, then I'll eat something. My passion seems to be cottage cheese and fruit... right now.. blueberries. When they're out of season... canned fruit... non sweetened... my kids don't even eat that Heavy Syrup stuff. I'm known for saying, "I gotta get my protein." I actually feel sluggish w/out it. Well, I'm off to getting pics for the magazine... then Wisconsin pics scanned and sent back.... please get those approval forms in.. please include your Member ID... this is listed under your name on your profile. Have a great day and I love ya all! :kiss: Photo Processing Manager - [email protected]