JUST WANTED TO WISH YOU A VERY HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR. THANKS FOR SHARING SOME TIME WITH OUR OBESITY HELP FAMILY - I LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING EACH OF YOU AT THE EVENTS AND THE ALASKA CRUISE THIS COMING NEW YEAR. TO ALL OF MY SUPPORT GROUP LEADERS - WE WILL BE HAVING SOME ANNOUNCEMENTS SOON - :idea IT'S A LIFESTYLE - Monica Ganz, Ph.D. [email protected]

Did you read about Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Georgia discontinuing wls coverage beginning in January 2005? It's true and you can read all about it in issue 5 of ObesityHelp Magazine. The magazine also features a Medicare Update and introduces readers to our new columnist Steve Tomsic "The New Guy" who will give us the insights into the male point of view in regards to weight loss surgery. Jarrod Fogle "The Subway guy' returns to give us an update; along with an article about musician Carnie Wilson and a life coach from NBC's Starting Over. You don't want to miss out on these exciting stories, plus many more. Log onto http://www.obesityhelpmagazine.com to subscribe TODAY!! Or you can call 1-866-WLS-INFO. Happy Holidays The Media Team :type:

Dear Member: DON'T MISS THIS BOAT! Our motto for WLS has always been, "Making the Journey Together!" We're packing up that motto--along with all the fun, information, and camaraderie that go along with every ObesityHelpTM Event--and taking to the high seas for a journey you don't want to miss. The 2005 ObesityHelp Conference will be aboard the Diamond Princess on July 30-August 6, 2005. The journey takes you roundtrip from Seattle through southeast Alaska's Inside Passage. Explore the arctic wonders of Alaska in the summertime. Touch your tootsies to the tundra--watch for bears, whales, and eagles--and (if conditions are just right) gaze in awe at the Northern Lights. http://www.obesityhelpevents.com/obesity+help+events+alaska.htm Itinerary: July 30 Seattle July 31 At Sea August 1 Juneau, Alaska August 2 Skagway, Alaska August 3 Tracy Arm Scenic Cruising August 4 Ketchikan, Alaska August 5 Victoria, British Columbia August 6 Seattle Add-ons (for a little bit more, you can): Juneau Explore the rainforest - yes, the RAINFOREST ... in Alaska! Fly out to go fly-fishing Yell "Mush" to your dog sledding team Take a helicopter to go strolling on a glacier Enjoy the freshest fish you may ever eat at a salmon bake Skagway Follow the footsteps of history along the Klondike Gold Rush Trail Go panning for gold Explore the Canadian Yukon Climb and rappel the granite walls of White Pass Glide silently into the Alaskan wilderness on a kayak Ketchikan Visit a native Eskimo village Discover Ketchikan by horse-drawn trolley Cheer on your favorite lumberjack in an all-out competition Paddle your canoe around and through the rainforest sanctuary Immerse yourself in Alaska's underwater wonders - go snorkeling Rates for the 7-day cruise start at $899 per person/double occupancy. The $50 conference fee is included in the price. Upgrades, airline travel, and add-ons are available. Reservations should be made through Carlson Wagonlit Travel of Calabasas. They may be contacted by phone or email: (818) 222-8300 or [email protected]. Be sure to tell them that you are with the ObesityHelp Conference. This is a perfect gift for your family this holiday season and will be a great way to travel next summer. Take your family to experience one the most beautiful sites in United States, and don't forget to pack lots of film. We are very excited to bring you this wonderful opportunity as we continue, "Making the Journey Together." We hope you can make arrangements to join us on what we hope will become a regular ObesityHelp convention tradition. Hope to see you there! Monica Ganz, Ph.D. Director of Membership, Events & Chapters (866) 957-4636 x 385 [email protected] Bo McCoy Events Manager (866) 957-4636 x 365 [email protected] P.S. For more information on the history, culture, wildlife, and climate of southeast Alaska and the Inside Passage, see www.Alaska.com.

make sure if you need to you email me or something so we stay connected. it can be kinda rough by ourselfs. to bad we were not closer so we could chat in person. some day we will get together. I got the appeal letter sent of yesterday AGAIN!!!! hope this time they get it figured out. My main insurance insists that I do the 3-6 month diet so I have started that. you will be skinny by the time I get the paper work done. but I am stubborn so some day it will happen for me too. remember I am here for ya. Love Kathy

Hi Terry, Sorry to hear your under the weather. I think you should get ahold of your surgeon maybe he can help you or refer you mto some one who can. I'm not sure but do your gall bladder and bile have some kind of connection? Tina