Hello ALL- Being 14 months post op... I am, submitting a proposal to an eating disorder center to add peer support groups led by licensed counselors for WLS individuals. This would provide ongoing support that deals with the emotional aspect of our special journey. I REALLY would appreciate your time answering the questions and sending them to me at: [email protected] Thank you for your help, Kristen Post WLS Questionnaire 1. What is your age group? 15-18 18-25 25-35 35-45 45-55 55-and older 2. Are you male female? 3. What is your marital status? single married separated divorced 4. Do you have children? yes no If yes, how many? What are their ages? 5. What was the date of your WLS ? 6. Do participate you in any eating disorder counseling? yes no 7. Do you have available group counseling for post WLS patients? yes no 8. If yes do you participate? yes no 9. If no, do you find that group counseling would be beneficial? yes no 10. How do you rank your need for support, on a scale from 1-10 1 being none and 10 being a greatly need? 1 5 10 none somewhat greatly 11. Please write the three forms a emotional support that would benefit your emotional recovery from WLS Surgery.

Hello My Special and Supportive Friends, If you've been around the message boards or Q&A Boards in the last 10 days or so you know that we've had a big hullaballoo in Alabama with a Mayoral Candidate saying in a newspaper article that "fat people are ugly, disgusting, unsightly and OH SO MUCH MORE!!!" If you want to read the whole unbelievable article it's posted on my profile. Anyway, we are staging a peaceful demonstration at the polling place on election day and we need come catchy slogans. Everyone will be holding signs. We're trying to walk a fine line.............we don't want to give the message that overweight or obese people shouldn't do anything to improve their health and well being...........and we don't want to be advertising weight loss surgery..........what we do want to get across to the general public is that overweight and obese people have feelings, are equal to anyone else and don't deserve to be discriminated against. I have a couple of examples to share with you that might help you think of some: Red and Yellow, Black, White AND Obese we are precious in His sight (thanks Cheryl) Justice For All Includes All Americans........INCLUDING the overweight and obese! (thanks again Cheryl) "SAY NO TO HARRY LYON" will be at the top of all the signs. So - put your thinking caps on and help me come up with slogans. We may use them on signs, buttons, T-shirts and more. Thank you so much for helping me educate people who don't understand obesity and stopping those who would discriminate against us. We may not have it all together.........but by sticking together we can have it all. Hugs, Rona Scott

Do you think your surgeon could have told you more about wls before your surgery? Do you think you were fully prepared for the surgery? Bariatrics Today (TM) our newest magazine which is targeted for bariatrics surgeons would like surgeons to know how you feel. If you have a comment about something your surgeon should have told you but didn't please write it in 30 words or less and send your comment to Ronda Einbinder, Assistant Editor, [email protected]. Remember, your comments can help all those preops who are just beginning their wls journey. :type:

I am a data person.. So, I am trying to obtain whatever I can.. ONE AREA OF NEED is the past payments... If you are POST OP over a year.. If you still have your information.. YOUR INFORMATION IS MOST CRITICAL.. I have been told that the insurance companies have REDUCED the amounts since all the publicity.. You have the right to know what they have paid.. Also, there are little procedure codes on your bill.. If you have those, you can call them and find out. Please let me know. It's ok to email me..