Hey everyone, i was wondering if you could take the time to vote for my irish nephews photo in the jones' soda lable contest. We dont win anything his pic will just be on a bottle of their soda and no i dont work for them or will be getting any prize etc. So please vote and give him a "10" we would love to see him win! Thank you all so much *hugs* Kelli xx http://www.jonessoda.com/gallery/card.php?86544-G8BAWND229

Did you have plastic surgery after weight loss surgery? Did you ask all the important questions to make your self feel at ease? We want to know what questions you felt were the most helpful that you asked your plastic surgeon. Send 2-3 of your questions to [email protected] so we can share this information with fellow members who are in the process of researching plastic surgeons.

Ronda Einbinder
Public Relations Manager
ObesityHelp :type:

Hi everyone,

A doctor sent this to me: "Sitting on Governor Doyle's desk is a budget which ELIMINATES coverage for Bariatric Surgery via Medicaid. Governor Doyle has ASSURED us last week that he was going to veto this provision in the budget. It appears that political pressure (from both parties) has swayed him to a position where he is NOT going to veto this measure. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DISASTROUS BLOW TO THE AVAILABILITY OF BARIATRIC SURGERY FOR THE CITIZENS OF WISCONSIN! We must act NOW! It is our understanding that the final decision will be made early to mid week."

I urge everyone reading this to contact the Governor's office directly by phone - number and email below. Get fellow postops, preops, family members, employers, friends to call and urge him to veto this measure. Explain what bariatric surgery has done for you. Explain how many medications have been eliminated by your weight loss. Explain how much more productive you are after your weight loss. Explain how your quality of life has improved. FLOOD HIS OFFICE PHONE!

Email him. Contact friends in your support groups and urge the same.

I had this from one who will be collecting your emails and sending them to the governor:
"Someone, everyone, please post something on the ObesityHelp.com Message Boards, both Statewide and Nationwide. Urge people to contact Governor Doyle's Office. Urge them to look at this site for more information."

Elimination of Medicaid coverage for bariatric surgery has the potential to start a domino effect of non-governmental health care plans doing the same.

The Governor needs to hear that Bariatric Surgery actually SAVES money in the long run. In fact, a gastric bypass is PAID for in other medical cost savings and increased productivity in three years! He needs to hear that CUTTING bariatric coverage from Medicaid will actually result in increased costs to the taxpayers of Wisconsin!

Even more importantly, what's done in one state will affect other states and in the end, will affect your families, friends, etc. everywhere.

To contact Governor Doyle by email, go here:
http://www.wisgov.state.wi.us/contact.asp?locid=19

By phone:
Madison Office
608-266-1212

Northern WI Office
715-762-5900

Milwaukee Office
414-227-4344

Washington, D.C. Office
202-624-5870

Thanks for all your help this morning.

- JC {CO-CEO ObesityHelp}

We are planning on coming your way for a few days.. what is a MUST.. we will be in PARK CITY UTAH until the 16th or so.. we have 9 days until we need to be in RENO NV.... where is THE BEST place to camp in the entire state? ALL of your help is totally 100% appreciated! THANK YOU! Vicki in CA

How many of you remember what is was like to be new on the site or just fixing to have surgery. Did you have a surgery angel? There are many members who want an angel. It's not very hard to become an angel actually and it's a great way to give back to others.

I was even pre-op being an angel to others. It doesn't matter if you've had surgery or not it's just simply about giving support to another OH member. Letting them know we are here to help them through. I know right before surgery how scary it can be and just knowing that others care is a wonderful feeling. So this is my challenge.

I challenge those who have the time to contact a member that don't have an angel listed and see how you can help them. Sometimes we just need someone, ANYONE to talk with. You can make a difference in someone's life. Let them know they are not alone.

Here's a link on what an angel is exactly and there is a link on this page about who are needing angels. Locate someone near you, or they don't even have to be near you, email and phones work great too :)
http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/beanangel.phtml

Let's all show our support.

If you are interested in helping OH by posting about the angel program or telling others on the site about it for the future please email me.
[email protected]

Everyone here can be an angel, it's a great way to make a new friend. :love:

Amy