I just got off the phone with Monica from ObesityHelp, and it seems that the convention is filling up fast! If you plan on attending and haven't already registered, do so soon! Monica said that there's a good chance that registrations will be sold out, and this means that they will not be accepting registration at the door! To read more about the convention and to register, visit: http://www.obesityhelpevents.com/may2006-pittsburg.htm (I got my presentation in late, so my bio isn't up yet, but I will be presenting on Friday and possibly Saturday as well on Exercise (no matter where you are in the weight loss process), maximizing one's first year postop and breaking plateaus. Slides from my powerpoint presentation can be seen at http://groups.myspace.com/100lbsexerciseweightloss in the group's photos section along with my bio on the 100+ lbs - Exercise & Weight Loss group's homepage. I am soooooo looking forward to the conference and getting a chance to see old friends and new WLS peeps alike!!!!!! Sending all my hugs!!! Caroline Ann Martin Lap RNY 5/2/03 367/142-152/150 http://AButterflyEmerges.com OH Profile: http://tinyurl.com/bkld http://picturetrail.com/carolineam http://myspace.com/carolineam WLS Postop Group: http://tinyurl.com/vd38 WLS & PS Group: http://tinyurl.com/aroap PA WLS Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gastricbypass-pennsylvania WLS & Exercise: http://groups.myspace.com/100lbsexerciseweightloss

Aloha To All My losing Buddies: Here is the list of Articles you all may choose from to help you along on your weight loss journey. If you could like me to email you a copy. Please email me and tell me which article(s) are of interest to you. 1. Combat Constipation 2. Copy of my Insurance Letter 3. Liquid & Pureed Diet Guidelines 4. Post Op Diet #2 The Pureed Diet 5. Post Op Diet #3 The Soft Diet 6. Post Op Diet #3 Guidelines of Soft Diet 7. Protein Shake Recipes 8. Sample Weekly Liquid Pureed Menu 8. Sample Weekly Liquid Pureed Menu 9. Sample Weekly Soft Diet Menu 10. The Power of Protein I hope all these articles will be of help. Love and Hugs, Kemalani

Incase you haven't heard our site will soon be changing over to something totally new. Just in the past day our main message board has been totally changed on the beta site. Check it out here: http://beta.obesityhelp.com/forums/amos/ Some features in the new boards include: the ability to edit your own posts, delete a post, have signature lines, and font selections. The site is operational and can be used to post on and search through. We are still working on more things to be added. Keep in mind the site is not 100% complete, which means we are still adding and changing things. This rollout focuses around implementing a new navigation, customizable homepage, bookmarks and a few other neat items that we know you will enjoy; however, our job is not complete. We are also in the process of adding more requested features to the site including: a new profile system, blogs, photo albums, private messaging, and much, much more. Stay tuned for more updates on these specific items. Check out the BETA site here: http://beta.obesityhelp.com We are anticipating the full launch of the site sometime this week, so one day you will come to the site and it's going to be totally different, so make sure you check out the beta site and familiarize yourself with it now Moving forward to better things! Amy OH Staff

I am a newbie to the boards. I am now living in WV after having to leave fl because of hurricane wilma. I want desparately to have the lap band surgery. My kids are insured by their dad, and my husband has Medicare. I although, am uninsured. Our only income right now is my husbands disability. Can I get medicare for this surgery? Isn't there some kind of "share of cost" plan? I can't believe that it is impossible for me to get any help for this surgery. I want to find out about the options I have. Please advise me if I have any hope at all.

jenny it is approved but they have to be a center for excellance whatever that means Dr Shin does the lapband she may want to call them and see its CAMC weightloss center I met him yesterday they are great .... he will know if they are or not also someone just posed that Dr Nease in huntiungton will be a center by June so tell your friend to hang in there good luck!!