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

Persistence pays off, and after QUITE the battle with her insurance company, Melissa "Misty" Reed is FINALLY going to be having her WLS on Wednesday, March 24th. Could you take a quick moment out of your day and wish Misty well on her upcoming journey to the Losing Side? Thanx so VERY much!! http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/status.phtml?N=R1049774463 Kimmer

i'm having a hard time locating a surgeon in Martinsburg WV area that accepts WV Medicaid.

Has anyone recently had their surgery at this hospital ? What was your experience? What is the hospital like? Is it clean? Valerie

Join us in Texas as we Celebrate 6 Years of Obesity Help and Support with our First National Convention! What: 2-Day Event for pre and Post-ops. (Families and supporters are welcome too!) Please visit the event website at: http://www.obesityhelp.com/texas2004/ Where: Wyndham Hotel, Arlington Texas. When: May 15 -16th, 2004 Why: For the past 6 years Obesityhelp.com has served the nation with its online support of obesity surgery and obesity resource center. Now, the trusted name in the industry is bringing the resources and help to you through national conventions. Come and be a part of t first national convention May 15 - 16th 2004. How Much: Cost for early registration is $20 each. ($25 at the door) Special "Buddy Ticket" $30 [Bring a friend and save $5.00 per person!] To take our event survey click here: http://www.obesityhelpevents.com/surveyform.php To register now click here: https://www.obesityhelp.com/SecurePayment/PatientRegistration.php Special Needs: ObesityHelp understands that some individuals may require special assistance. Please contact our Convention Manger at 866-WLS-INFO Fun things to do: Meet the founders of ObesityHelp.com. Socialize with peers. Convention is just 1 mile from Six Flags over Texas. WLS Fashion Show. Clinical information talks. Free door prizes. Show off your before and after photos. Help with printing your WLS Success cards. Help with getting your photos on the web. Discounts on ObesityHelp store items (books, t-shirts, magazines, etc..). Group photos. Free samples of nutritional products. WLS Luau party pool-side. Pictures and information on the gathering will be featured in the OH Magazine and the website. What to bring: + You're before photos + You're after photos + Your camera + Extra money for food. ObesityHelp has special fare rates available with the American Airlines. Anyone attending the May 15 - 16, 2004 conference should book airline tickets with American Airlines Group Reservation Department at: 800-433-1790 Please use meeting code: S8454AV Booking directly with American Airlines guarantees you the following: 5% discount on lowest possible fair. (Less than 30 days booking notice) 10% discount on lowest possible fair. (31 days advance.) 10% discount on lowest possible fair. (Upgraded seating -Business class, First etc) Hotel accommodations available at the Wyndham Hotel, Arlington. To make a reservation call: 1-817-261-8200 Please reserve your room under "Obesityhelp.com May Event" Room cost $99.00 includes free shuttle to and from the airport. The hotel is located immediately adjacent to the Arlington Convention Center. No need to travel far. Free local travel with 3-mile radius of the hotel. No need to rent a car! And now for the best part Six Flags over Texas is a mere 1-mile away meaning you can never get bored! (Free shuttle service included to Six Flags!) For more information about this or other events in your area please call 1-866-WLS-INFO. Please choose the 'events' when prompted for a voice-mail box. Sincerely, Bo McCoy Obesityhelp.com Outreach Department. [email protected] Can't make this event? But, you would like to know more about events in your area and or volunteer to help start an event in your? Please visit our survey form at this URL. http://www.obesityhelpevents.com/surveyform.php --------------------------------------- NOTE : We are ALSO hosting an educational seminar for bariatric professionals right across the way from our patient event. If you are in touch with your surgeon's office or any other bariatric professionals, we urge you to educate them about this resource. Please check out http://'www.obesityhelpevents.com and bring the information there to your surgeons attention. Thanks! ---------------------------------------