Becky -- it's nice to meet you and welcome to the forum. I should probably appologize for the previous posts, however, it is a reflection of our frustration regarding past events. We were stifled as individuals and silenced on the boards (sometimes for good reason - but mostly because of a few crying "wolf" and DEMANDING our posts be removed [and in all honesty - most of the posts that were pulled did not violate the TOS - it was because we simply did not "fit in" there]). So we ventured over here with, in my opinion, the cream of the crop! You will find unconditional acceptance here -- if you want to vent - we'll let you -- if you want to celebrate, we'll put on our party hats with you. This forum is completely UNMODERATED - so we have all agreed that if we disagree, we will disagree maturely and respectfully of one another. You are more than welcome to jump in at any time - to speak freely -- to speak your mind. If we can help you in any way, we are here for you -- and we also look forward to you leaving your mark in our lives by freely sharing your thoughts with us! We're all in this together - regardless of where we are in our journeys! Again -- welcome to the board - and it's very nice to meet you!

This is what I am scared of happening to me while I wait, wait, wait... This is from Ireland... 12 die while on waiting list for State's only obesity clinic Eithne Donnellan, Health Correspondent Twelve patients have died while on a waiting list to be seen at the State's only dedicated obesity-treatment clinic. The patients, who ranged in age from 22 to 53, died over the past three years, a specialist at the clinic, Dr Donal O'Shea, confirmed yesterday. The consultant endocrinologist also warned that more patients would die while waiting to be seen unless resources were immediately pumped into the service. "There is an inevitability about it." He said his clinic at St Columcille's Hospital in Loughlinstown, Dublin, was receiving between 10 and 12 referrals every week, all of whom had to be put on a waiting list. The average weight of those being referred was 22st for men and 19st for women. He said he was recently asked to see a 21-stone Leaving Cert student with breathing problems brought on by obesity, but the student had to be put on the waiting list. The student was now 408th on the list, and it was unclear when the patient would be seen. Only yesterday he was asked to see a 13-year-old who weighted 18st but his clinic only dealt with adults. Dr O'Shea said a point had been reached where even when patients needed to be seen urgently the clinic was not able to fast-track an appointment. "We are now completely saturated." He has written to the Health Service Executive (HSE) highlighting the need for more resources for the Loughlinstown clinic and the need for similar clinics across the State. "You need hospitals to deal with the severely obese. We need more specialist centres. We have reached the point where it's no longer acceptable not to have a service for this degree of obesity. "The HSE is looking at trying to fund the service but at the moment, with all the change going on in the health service, it is very difficult to get anywhere quickly from a funding point of view." He said the people on the waiting list who died would have died as a result of problems related to obesity such as clots and heart attacks. Dr O'Shea, who was a member of the national obesity taskforce, said obesity was a chronic problem. "It's real; it's not coming down the line, it's here. We are already flooded, and there is a need for urgent resources for the hospital side of obesity care. The HSE are looking at ways of doing it, but I can't sit and just wait when somebody is 408th on the waiting list." A HSE spokesman said a request for extra funding for the clinic was being considered. Obesity was a priority issue for the HSE, which was working on implementing the recommendations of the recently-published obesity taskforce report.

GIRLLLLLLLLLL How'd you know that was the song I was tryin to "member??? I used to love all that old stuff, still do, the group 95 South is who that is, I think GIRL Get your TOOTSIE ON TONIGHT LMAO

Hey Becky, I am glad you are here. You will find support here. The group here is supportive of you no matter what. We give NON CONDITIONAL support...it doesn't matter what your lifestyle choices might be or what you believe in...we support the cause of WLS. Not everyone is always going to agree with one another but we are all adults and we here AREN'T going to bicker about it. Welcome to the board. I am looking forward to chatting with you later. Beth

Hey Joni! .....be careful out there! it is NASTY Kim