I'm sitting here at 3:00 in the morning solving the worlds problems and wondering what you all think about something.....let me give you a little background...... Recently, I ran into an aquaintance that I've known for 15 years or so. Throughout the time I've known her, her weight has always fluxuated (much like mine has). I had heard that she'd had WLS and had severe complications. Well, when I ran into her she proceded to tell me the story of her WLS.......She 'only' weighed 215 pounds in December of last year when she had her initial consultation and therefore did not qualify for surgery. By March, she had intentionally gained 40 pounds (keep in mind I heard this first hand....so it's not hearsay) went back to the Surgeon, got her approval and had surgery a few weeks later. She had severe pain the night after her surgery and when they did her leak test the next morning, found that she had over 7 liters of blood in her abdomen and was rushed to emergency surgery to repair the leak. She has had problems with her recovery, needless to say. She told me that she wishes she'd never had surgery and that she would not recommend it to anyone. Ok.....here's what I'm wondering. In the past few months, it seems that I am hearing increasingly that people are intentionally gaining weight to qualify for WLS. Do you think it's wrong to intentionally gain weight to have WLS? I know that in the five years that I researched WLS, as my weight 'yoyo'd', at times I didn't qualify for surgery and was even denied once 2 years into the process. I did end up gaining weight (and many more health problems) but it was NOT intentional. Also, do you think that the segment of people that WOULD intentionally gain weight to qualify are somewhat responsible for the insurance companies becoming so much stricter on their guidelines for getting people qualified? I think about my friend Janet's daughter who is 22 years old and weighs over 450 pounds. For 3 years, she's been denied for WLS. She was on her first Physician supervised diet at 4 years old......so that's 18 years of 'doctor supervised diets' ....... yet she is still being denied by BC/BS. I think about all that Joni and so many other's went through to have this life saving procedure and it almost makes me feel guilty because I got approved so easily and I 'only weighed' 270 pounds. I hope ya'll don't blast me.........I'm not judging anyone......just asking for your opinions. Kim

Is everyone OK with the Bama Board now????? Love, Lindy

Hey Kim, Your daughter's family...and YOU and Pam are in my thoughts and prayers. Love ya, Beth

Hey Ya'll. We've had a helluva weekend with Pam's daughter and her husband. I can't go into all the details now..... but please please keep Daphne (who is 12 weeks pregnant), Daniel (her husband), Evan (Daniel's 8 year old son), Morgan (Daniel's 6 year old daughter), Ashlyn (Daniel and Daphne's 2 year old daughter) in your thoughts and prayers. They are facing a terribly trying time right now and any positive energy sent their way can only help. Thanks in advance Love you all, Kim

Becky! Im so sorry, YES I got the email, I just havent had time to reply to my email or read much of it this past week. I probably wont be ordering anything for a few weeks because of this change in jobs. I am the only income in the household, right now, so Im watching my pennies closely as my grandma would say Im just hoping gas does not go up any more until I can get the loan for the other car...anyway, will have you a order in a few weeks. Sandy