Hi Crystal: I too am scheduled for lap-band at Tallgrass on October 15 with Dr. Hamilton so it looks like we will be band buddies.    Laura

Almost 2 weeks now and I am doing great.  Looking forward to the first fill. 

That sounds great Chad!  As a self-pay I would welcome coverage.  Forgive my ignorance, but some people in Kansas are aready covered, right?  Will this make it mandatory that all Kansas insurance companies provide WLS coverage?  Does it only apply to federal employees?  I'm just a little confused as to the exact nature of this effort. Any ideas on how long before coverage is available if they decide to move forward? Jim

I recently got an email from a member of the Kansas Health Policy Authority (KHPA) and it appears that WLS and other Obesity Mangement Services WILL BE on the recommendation list in the healthcare reform bill at the statehouse on November 1st.  What that means is that they are going to recommend that coverage of WLS and other OBS be included on insurance plans.   So that means it will be in the legislators hands soon, I urge EVERYONE to contact your legislators and urge them to adopt the KHPA's recommendations!!!  It's in our hands!!  Call, email, write, them, let's get this done!!! ************************************************************** 1.  ************Find your current state senator/congressmen at  www.congress.org you'll have to put in your zip code. ************* 2.  Write to them either by email or snail mail. 3.  Don't forget to also contact Governor Sebelius and the State Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger to voice your concerns too. Governor Kathleen Sebelius Capitol, 300 SW 10th Ave., Ste. 212S Topeka, KS 66612-1590 Phone: (785) 296-3232 Fax: (785) 368-8788 www.ksgovernor.org (to send email go to her website and send email via her webform) and Sandy Praeger State Insurance Commissioner 1-800-432-2484 or e-mail [email protected] 4.  (Don't forget to tell them that you want WLS as part of their major Health Care Reform that they will bepushing through next legislative session!) 5.  Below are few sample letters you can send (cut and paste), but make it your own personal story: ************************************************************** from our friends at www.obesitylawyers.com Sample Letter: Dear _____________: I am writing to you as your constituent and a member of an invisible majority. I wish to call your attention to a serious and growing problem in this country. The problem of Obesity and Morbid Obesity is a chronic physiological disorder suffered by countless Americans. In April 2003, Dr. Julie Gerberding, Director of the Center's for Disease Control stated in no uncertain terms that Obesity is the Number 1 health threat in the United States today topping deaths caused by smoking. In 1991 the National Institute of Health found that very low calorie diets simply do not work long term when dealing with Obese and Morbidly Obese people. The Consensus report went on to hold that the only option in these situations is gastric restrictive surgery. In fact, the Dartmouth-Hitch**** Medical Center has released research that shows that gastric bypass not only helps patients take excess weight off and keep it off, it may also increase life expectancy by three years or more. I must tell you, on a personal level I have experience humiliation, health defects and personal difficulties as a result of my obesity. My co-morbidities, to wit: health conditions that are caused or worsened by my obese condition will be lessened if not cured as shown by recent medical studies. The health savings are tremendous. The financially savings to this Country in terms of medical expenses are enormous. Yet, despite the forgoing, Insurance Companies have continued to deny coverage for this life saving surgery. Post Operative patients are discriminated against by being rejected for disability and life insurance. I urge you to contact Gary Viscio of Viscio & Associates at 145 Willis Avenue, Mineola, New York 11501, 516-742-5300 and further discuss this situation. Your help is desperately needed. It is truly a matter of life or death. Thank you. ******************************************************************************************************** and another sample from our friends at www.obesityaction.org Below, please find a sample letter that will help you get started: Your Full Name Your Full Address Your City, State and Zip Your Phone Number with Area Code Current Date The Honorable (Insert Legislator or Public Official Name Here) Legislator or Official’s Address Legislator or Official’s City, State, Zip Dear Title (Governor, Senator, Representative, Commissioner, etc.), In your first paragraph, mention the following points: 1. You are writing to request their assistance in improving access to bariatric (weight-loss) surgery and other obesity management services in the state of Kansas. If writing specifically about state-employee program, mention it here. 2. Discuss how this specific issue affects you and your family. In your second and third paragraphs, mention the following items: 1. Further elaborate how the issue affects or has affected you. 2. Share your personal connection with the issue in question. (Remember to remain brief. A short letter can accomplish just as much as a long one.) In your last paragraph, discuss the following closing items: 1. Urge them to help restore access to obesity management services. 2. Request that the individual write you back, informing you on their position regarding the issue. 3. Thank the individual. Sincerely, Your Full Name Very truly yours, ******************************************************************************************************** Good luck!! Together we will make progress!

I have been checking also,  I have talked with the one in Overland Park and they say self pay is 17,000.  I hadn't heard about the one in Topeka.  Are they cheaper????  Any information about it?    I did find out that you can go to Overland Park and have surgery but then do all follow up in Wichita.  That is better for me.