Thanks for your update! I might also check out that info meeting that Dr. Harris is having next Wednesday. I haven't decided surgeons yet, but like you, I am weighing the pros and cons of lap versus open. I just can't take that much time off of work, as no work equals no income for me, and as a single parent with no child support, I just don't have enough saved to tide me over for 6-8 weeks! I feel your frustration! I had to reschedule an appt with Dr. Filler, and every time that happened, I had to wait another 10 days. I guess I've been considerably overweight for 20 years, and now that I want to do this, I have little patience! I finally have health coverage after a 5 year lapse, and my insurance is reputed to pay for WLS with little problems. I hope that remains true for me. Due to my busy work schedule, I need to do this early summer, or it just can't happen for me. We all have our quirks, don't we? Well, thanks for the update. I see Dr. Filler on Monday morning. Dr. Thaemert thought I could get surgery scheduled in about 6 weeks if all goes well. What is your projected wait time with Dr Harris? Do you have to see a separate dietician and mental health person for him? Perhaps I'll meet you on Wednesday afternoon.... Have a happy holiday. Vicki

I have met with him (free consult in his office due to the fact that I was the only person signed up for the informational seminar scheduled on a Tuesday afternoon, so I was asked to come to his office). I'm not sure if he will be my surgeon. I thought he was personable, professional, and informative. He seems mightly young (to this 43 year old), so I need to find out how many of these procedures he has done and how many he averages per month. I think he primarily does the lap. I liked the fact that he didn't prefer the band or the gastic bypass over the other. He also said I needed to see Dr. Filler (bariatric doctor) to start the process. I have an appointment in his office on Monday. Be prepared for quite a bit of paperwork (for the assessment). I guess one will also see a dietian and have a psych evaluation. Don't know how much pre-op health screening the office does, as I want to make certain I don't have an usual pre-op condition that may interfere with the lap. I am also checking out Dr. O'Brien. I can tell you that a friend of mine from Gregory just loved Dr. Thaemert. She really liked his bed-side manner. She's about 56 years old with quite a medical history. She had lost 100 pounds in about 6 months. What a result! Good luck--keep me posted. Vicki

Hey everyone!! Kirk Thompson aka CROW here, I was just wanting to Share with you all the First National WLS Conference in Arlington Texas on May 15th and May 16th. 2004 Its being held at the Wyndham Hotel what a beautil place to hold Obesityhelp's First Conference!! Its going to be a very cool Event jammed pack with tons of things to do.. I am VERY Excited and can't wait to go!! Saturday May 15th, 2004 Welcome and Intro Nutritional Workshops Post Op Speaker Surgical speaker Break Psychiatrist Speaker Buffet Dinner [Please bring $5 - $7 co-pay for buffet] Focus Groups (Break out sessions) Focus Groups (Break out sessions) Break Plastic Surgeon Speaker Post op Speaker/Surgeon Focus Groups (Break out sessions) Focus Groups (Break out sessions) Meet the Surgeons Meet the vendors Closing Session Luau Party Pool-Side. Sunday May 16th 2004 Welcome and Intro Post-op speaker How to start your own support group Insurance issues (appeals etc) Break Surgeon "long term effects WLS" Buffet Dinner [Please bring $5 - $7 co-pay for buffet] Focus Groups (Break out sessions) Focus Groups (Break out sessions) Break Preop Focus Focus Groups (Break out sessions) Focus Groups (Break out sessions) Fashion Show Fashion Show Prizes and give-a-ways Im very excited and can't wait to go and meet tons of Obesityhelp.com Members. It was a Blast in California and I got to Meet Cheryl aka CN Texas on the Texas Boad, shes a sweetheart by the way. They will have several Speakers in the house Terry Simpson, M.D., FACS Arizona Bariatric Center "10 Ways To Not Be a Center of Excellence " Elliott R. Goodman, M.D. Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, NY "How to Measure the Success of Bariatric Surgery Beyond Simple Weight Loss" Jeannie Colter, RN, C Executive Director, ObesityHelp "Building Support Groups" Eric Klein, MBA Founder, ObesityHelp "Patient Perception of a Center of Excellence: How Do Patients form Opinions About Bariatric Center Quality" Bo McCoy Outreach Manager, ObesityHelp 7-31-02 (626) Preop now 3-4-04 (297) Postop Loss of 329 lbs. "How to acheive your weightloss goals" If you already haven't Registered please do so and meet all the Obesityhelp Family, Have a blast!! I am going to add the link here if anyone would like to take a look and maybe I will just get to meet you in Texas. Come on join the fun, Join the Party!! Link to the Event and where to Register: http://www.obesityhelp.com/texas2004/ Obesityhelp.com Staff Kirk Thompson aka CROW

Hello Members, :cool: we have recently received several inquiries regarding member forums so I wanted to share a link to special forums message boards to those who are unfamiliar. Thanks for your support and participation and have a great day! link to special formums boards: http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/list-all-communities.php Sincerely, Larry Irvin Member Services Manager ObesityHelp.com

In addition to the First National Meeting scheduled for May 15 & 16th , 2004 in Arlington Texas http://www.obesityhelp.com/texas2004/ , Obesityhelp.com is planning nationwide regional and state level meetings. These meetings are designed to bring the resources, support, and fun of Obesityhelp.com to the local communities. To accomplish our goal of reaching each geographic regions of the United States we are seeking volunteer leaders to serve in the administration and planning of the local events. Your help is vital to the success of the regional meetings. Do you have a support group that you currently meet with? Do you know of other support groups that might like to link up with yours to form a special meting? Do you like to throw a party? Can you donate 2 to 10 hours a week working for the Outreach Department? Please visit the following url and complete the survey. http://obesityhelp.com/supportleaders/ This survey will help us determine if your area is suitable for a regional meeting. If you would like to see your area host a meeting please respond to this post and encourage others to take the survey found at the above link. The next meeting could be in your hometown! Sincerely, Bo McCoy Outreach Manger [email protected]