Hi.. I am very impressed so far with the whole process of going for the WLS here. I attended the seminar - which is something you *have* to attend before you can schedule an appt. with the WLS nurse to talk about the surgery to see if you are a candidate. You meet one or both of the surgeons at this seminar and watch an informative slide show. Then you can schedule an appointment with the nurse, who has had WLS herself (and she looks amazing!). St. V's weight loss clinic will make you (((If you want WLS surgery bad enough))) attend three classes to learn things like, eating after surgery and ways to prepare yourself for it and ways to get ready for surgery beforehand. Or having a fitness evaluation done. Or seeing the nutritionist. You also must attend support group meetings where you will meet people who have had the surgery years ago, or just a week ago. Those meetings are good! It is nice to talk to people who are just out of surgery IRL to see how they are feeling. Everyone at the support group meeting I went to who had just had the surgery were in very good spirits and healthy! You also must quit smoking and begin some sort of excercising pre op to make your body healthy enough to handle the surgery and give yourself some strength beforehand to deal with everything that happens and that you need to do after the fact. They want you to lose weight beforehand, but if you absolutley cannot they will not turn you away. This really is a good thing going here in Billing's and I just wanted to refer ppl to it. I think you will be happy with the place!

MTV is currently conducting research and casting for an upcoming episode of the Emmy Award winning documentary series True Life. Currently, they are looking for young men and women, between the ages of 18 -28, who are dieting in groups (whether it be for motivation or competition), people who are losing weight to obtain a specific goal and are choosing to do a crash or fad diet to either jump start the diet or end the diet, and people who have tried every diet in the book and this is their last effort to lose the weight. If you meet this criteria and would like to share your, story please contact Stephanie Carle, Associate Producer, MTV's True Life Documentary Series, at [email protected]. They will initially be conducting phone interviews with those interested in sharing their journey. Emails should not be going to obesityhelp.com :type:

Happy New Year! I just want to take a moment of your time to update you as to the progress of the Chapters. As the interest had grown in the program, beyond my expectations, I have had to redesign a number of items in order to stay on top, so we have delayed the official release of the program. I am working with IT to get many aspects of this program on-line, including the training. Some of these items have made for many delays. This was not expected and been a frustration of mine. I am so sorry for the delay. Please be patient with us. I am not ignoring anyone. I will continue to answer any question via e-mail or phone. I know that together we will build an incredible support system for all of us. If you have interest in this program e-mail me at: [email protected] Thanks again for your continued support. It's a Lifestyle, Monica Ganz, Ph.D. 866-957-4636 x 385

Rona, I read your journal and I would like some advice on where to start to raise awareness in the state of Louisiana. I'm speaking to two ladies here who desperately need state help to live pain-free and long lives. I'm only four months post-op, but I'm an active writer and journalist. Here's my journal: http://www.francesspencer.blogspot.com I plan to start knocking on doors/emailing/calling early next week. Thanks, Frances

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all.....Hugs Val