Philadelphia Gathering of Friends of WLS Friday, October 6, 2006 - Sunday, October 8, 2006 Adults Only Registration Deadline is September 1, 2006 Late Registration Deadline is September 15, 2006 These weekend gatherings are about meeting and connecting with people who can understand the journey we all have taken and to have fun with fellow WLSers and support people. And this year is something a little special, a Halloween Costume Ball! You can even win prizes for your costumes! So grab your ghoulish gear and come see Philly in the Fall. We have finalized the Hotel Information for the Philadelphia gathering. The cost of the hotel is $99.00/per night, this is per room. You can call the hotel to make your reservations at 1-800-325-3535 or (215)547-4100 by September 15, 2006: Ask for "FRIENDS OF WLS". Sheraton Bucks County Hotel 400 Oxford Valley Road Langhorne, PA 19047 The hotel has a pool, hot tub, sauna and gym for guests to use at no charge. As a lot of people did at past gatherings, we recommend doubling and tripling up in rooms. If you are flying into Philly, the best choice is Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) which is about 30 minutes south of the hotel on I-95; but you could also fly into Newark Airport (EWR) in New Jersey, which is about 1.5 hrs from the hotel. Cabs are available to the hotel, but we will try to organize our own little shuttle service, if we know what time people are coming into the Philadelphia airport. Remember, "You have a Friend in Pennsylvania" is our state motto- we will get you to the hotel! Please feel free to bring your Significant other or Support person, but children will not be allowed at the Friday night or Saturday night events. In addition, the Philadelphia area has a wealth of nearby attractions and shopping. The hotel is down the street from Sesame Place for those interested in a family activity. We will be releasing a full itinerary later, but a very brief overview is as follows: Friday, October 6, 2006 Mix & Mingle, evening Saturday, October 7, 2006 Sight seeing, during the day Dinner/Dancing a the Halloween Costume Ball Sunday, October 8, 2006 Farewell Breakfast Here are the costs associated with the weekend. COSTS: Deadline: September 1, 2006 Post -Op $ 72.00 Pre-Op/Sup $ 78.00 This includes: Registration fee: $25.00 Saturday night meal: Post-op ($35.00) Pre-op ($38.00) Sunday breakfast: Post-op ($12.00) Pre-op ($15.00) COSTS: Deadline: September 15, 2006 - LATE REGISTRATION- Money Orders Only will be accepted Post -Op $ 97.00 Pre-Op/Sup $ 103.00 This includes: Registration fee: $50.00 Saturday night meal: Post-op ($35.00) Pre-op ($38.00) Sunday breakfast: Post-op ($12.00) Pre-op ($15.00) We are still working on some of the details and activities, so more information is to follow. The registration forms are posted on the Philadelphia website: www.geocities.com/philly_wls_gathering/ or you can email us for it: [email protected] Please feel free to email Steve or me at [email protected], if you have questions or need more information. We can't wait to see you all there!!!

Dear Sabrina: Weight Loss Surgery has to be a personal pursuit of your own happiness. No one can make that decision for you. Sure, any surgery has lots of risks...but do the risks outweigh what is going to happen to you in the long run? I was in the same boat. I took my time, though. I wanted to think it through. The more I research it...the more determined I am to get the GPS done. No one person can tell you what to do. Sometimes I wish God had a neon sign just to tell me what to do; however, I just have to go on my research, my intuition, how I want to feel 5 years from now. I, too, had Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome/Disease. I had to have a hysterectomy in 2003 and as you know...most women gain weight after hysterectomies. I am tired of being fat, tired, & sick. So, I decided to get information about it...calculate medical bills in the next five years (if I live that long)...and then I decided....weight loss surgery is for me. Sure, I have family that are non-supportive of me. But, they are NOT living in my body. They sure aren't walking in my shoes. So, I said to all of them, "Thanks for your concern..." and went on deciding. My dad & sister are scared for me. My husband and children (teens) are supportive. My friends are half & half. But, they are not me! I am sick a lot. My dad & sister are healthy. My dad is 75 years old and walks 6 miles a day. But, I have different genetics...and his decision cannot be my decision. Somedays I'll be just like you are. Sad & depressed. But, I want to do this for me. I know everyone will die someday. But, I want to live a nice life while I'm here. Depression is hard. I finally had to give up and tell my doctor (a female dr) that I was teary eyed a lot and told her I was having a hard time. She helped. I had to go on meds short-term...but, it was worth it. I have more energy now...and I feel as though this decision is for me. So, if you need encouragement...you write me and I will encourage you. Yes, the surgery could kill you. But, eating emotionally, being sad, doing NOTHING can kill too. Hang in there Sabrina. You need to take care of yourself. Tomorrow is a new day. Begin that new day with a prayer and begin searching more about the surgery. Find a doctor in West Virginia. Find out if your assistance can help you in getting the surgery paid for. One step at a time....ok? I know how you feel. I've been in your shoes so many times. But, it's time to put on a new pair of shoes...and begin a new journey. Find out the facts...then make the decision--that's the best encouragement I can give. Email me anytime....ok? Have a good weekend. Hug your kids and let them know you love them. And, don't ask them what mommy should do about having the surgery. This is YOUR decision.... Beth

Hello all and good morning, Well last Thursday at 5:58 p.m. my new grandson was born. His name is Caden Antonio Acevedo. He weighed 5 lbs 7 ozs and was 18 inches long. He is just a beautiful little one. He is a very petite little guy but is healthy. My daughter had to have an emergency C-section after the placenta ruptered which she was hemorraghing. Luckily she was at the hospital when it happened. They had induced her labor because she was becoming pre-eclampsic. Everything is fine and they came home on Sunday. That night was very scary. I almost lost both of them. I never prayed so hard in my life and God answered my prayer. I have been staying with them this week to help out. I took a week off of work to help out. My other grandson who is 4 yrs old is very protective of his little brother. Everytime we have to burp the baby Miguel thinks we are hitting him. He loves him so much and loves to hold him. Well I better go for now. Take care and God bless all of you. Oh by the way last week according to my scales I lost 6 lbs. Through stress no doubt. Kathy

This is the first time I have posted on here b/c I just registered a few days ago. My name is Sabrina,I live in NorthCentral, WV, I am 24, 375 pounds, and I have 2 children 5 and 1 1/2. I have been debating with myself and family the past few years about getting GBP surgery. My mother thinks it will be devistating for me b/c of the loose skin so she isn't really for it. Each year I just seem to get bigger and bigger and I do not know what to do anymore. It has gotten to the point I can't play with my kids, the pain of walking is unbearable, the depression is unsightly, I can not work due to the pain so my children and I have to stay with family. I hate going to the doctor b/c they always find something new wrong with me. In the past 2 years I have been diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and diabetes on top of the high blood,plantars facitis, severe depression,and constant pain. I have been overweight my entire life and severely depressed most of my life because of it. I went through most of my life being emotionally and mentally abused by my grandfather and peers. Then at 15yrs old dated a guy for 9 years that was, so the same so my self esteem and self confidence is something I just don't have. I am miserable and angry all the time. As of today I am at 375 at 5 ft 5 inches tall. My body hurts so bad to move that it is ridiculous. I still endure constant emotional abuse which doesn't help. I have always turned to food, it was there for me when no one else was. I have tried all of the diets, exercised, starved myself,........I have done it all and nothing. I need a solution and I think GBP surgery would be it but I am not getting any support from the people I need it from. They just say if I weren't so lazy I could lose weight but that isn't true. I have tried but I can't do it. I lost 170 pounds during my pregnancy with my son but six months later 200 pounds were back. I have been working my butt off that past 3 months and gained 50 pounds. It makes me so depressed and angry. I end up taking it out on the people around me and they just don't understand. I'm not angry at them and I don't like feeling like this. I hate to go out in public b/c people always look at me like I'm a side show. I know we shouldn't care about other's opinions but it's hard not to sometimes and when you are beaten down to the bottom it is hard. This surgery is something I am really interested in because I want to have a life and be there for my kids when they graduate and get married and be there to play with my grandchildren. I haven't been on a date for 9 years and I have only ever had one boyfriend. I want to enjoy life not wake up every morning and hating that I woke up to live another miserable day. There are so many things I want to do that I just can't.....I want to have the surgery but at the same time I am afraid of the risks but being as heavy as I am could kill me too. I have researched it to death and the more I do the more I am considering it. I am going to go talk to my doctor this week about what to do. Did any of you have the same problems in decideing??? Are the after affects as bad as most people think???? Thank you for listening to my ramblings Sabrina

Who's going? Last year we have an amazing event in Cincinnati! Those who didn't make that one, I hope you will join us this year in Lexington! We are going to have a blast. Thanks to Brenda's help we are organizing a very fun and exciting event that will have a Masquerade Ball. So start planning on what you might wear now! For all details please visit: http://obesityhelp.com/events/october2006_lexington.html We hope to see you there on October 27 and 28th! Amy Williams