Hi Laura! Yes I would love to meet someone going through the same process as I am, it is a big decision and it's nice to know that we don't have to go it alone....even though my family is is full support, it's good to talk with someone in the same position as I. So I'll see you today at Dr. Tengs seminar @ MNY View @ 10am. I will be the one with 2 of my girls with me....one that looks like she is 16 but is actually 22(she is the goofy one!;) and the other girl who looks 16 but is 12 yrs old!(She is the "serious" one) They will be waiting for me outside the the seminar room in the atrium nearest the classroom. I may go earlier to check out the Hospital rooms if the staff will allow it as I had a very bad experience at Sunrise... (BACK SURGERY) so I am very leary and will ckeck out both Valley and MNT View as thorough as possible. I wish the Dr's used Desert Springs Hospital as from what I undserstand all the rooms are "private'!!!! I beleive that Summerlin Hospital might also provide mostly private rooms. Might be a good question to ask these Physicians?? I'm not sure that Simon works with Fisher, however I think I heard him state that he sometimes confers with fisher.....?? I know that Fisher & Atkinson definetly work together! I also have BCBS/NEIHBP(National Elevator Industry Health Benefit Plan, WHEW! using BCBS's PPO network. National Elevator Industry plan "pays the bills." BCBS only "processes" the claims (not so well I might add) for NEIHBP and then submits to National Elevator Industry. NEIHBP also uses BCBS PPO providers. (confused yet? ;) I live on the NE part of town, near Hollywood and Lakemead. We are pretty close! As far as a job....I quit about 6 months ago becasue of the back/spine pain (Had surgery 10/2003) that is a constant in my life now....my former "carreer" involved Animal Control (Lots of P/R & C/S!...dealing mostly with jerks!) I now have a new full-time "job" ( & it definetly is full-time!!!) as a home-school instructor to my youngest girl. I'm attempting to get the her back on track in her studies....she was too busy worrying about her social life at middle school instead of concentrating on her studies!! Unfortunatly she is "ME" all over again....so I know the signs & am taking preventative measures for sure!;) It's tough, but going well. Anyhow, Hope to see you at the seminar today....just look for the funniest bunch! ;0 Sincerely, Liz [email protected] free to eamil me any time....

11/12/04 Hi Laura! I am also a Newbie and just joined this group that was referred by a cousin from Florida.( her surgery a total success!) I too am seriuosly researching the possibility of WLS. Scary thought as it is so permanent! Which Doctor/Seminars have you attended? I have attended one so far with Dr. Simon @ MNT View Hospital this past Wednesday 11/10/04....so far no call from his office. so I called the office today(11-12-04) and they said "someone" would get back to me next week;Mon or Tue., and make a consultation appt. You'd think they would make an appointment when I called? We'll see if thier customer service skills improve.....or they just may lose out on a patient with 100% insurance coverage! (BCBS/NEIHBP) (Need to vent, cannot stand bad customer service & I am impatient at times I guess?) The second will be at the same hospital only Dr. Teng will be the host. These are the only two Doc's that are on my "preferred provider" list of my insurance, So it's either one of these doctors. not sure if this is good or bad?? Have you attended either one of these Doc's seminars? If so, What was your opinions? Which doctor did you find that takes your insurance? Well, welcome aboard and hope to here from you! From the looks of things people poke around these local message boards alot but don't seem to participate??? Maybe we'll start a trend...what a concept. Regards, Liz H.

ObesityHelp is proud to announce that we are about to start training the new Chapter Leaders on November 29, 2004 and would like to count you in that group. If you have ever expressed an interest in being a Chapter leader or have just wanted to help people. This is for you. If you are interested in starting an ObesityHelp Chapter please e-mail me back ASAP with you name, address, and phone number to: [email protected] We will be mailing the training packets out with the training schedule right away. All training will be conducted in a conference phone in room. There are three sections to the training. All instructions will be included with your manual. If you responded to this already and did not get a response from me please send me an e-mail to me directly as I lost a number of e-mails. Please feel free to contact me at 866 957-4636 x 385 if you have any questions or concerns. It's a Lifestyle, Monica Ganz, Ph.D.

ObesityHelp is proud to announce that we are about to start training the new Chapter Leaders on November 29, 2004 and would like to count you in that group. If you have ever expressed an interest in being a Chapter leader or have just wanted to help people. This is for you. If you are interested in starting an ObesityHelp Chapter please e-mail me back ASAP with you name, address, and phone number to: [email protected] We will be mailing the training packets out with the training schedule right away. All training will be conducted in a conference phone in room. There are three sections to the training. All instructions will be included with your manual. If you responded to this already and did not get a response from me please send me an e-mail to me directly as I lost a number of e-mails. Please feel free to contact me at 866 957-4636 x 385 if you have any questions or concerns. It's a Lifestyle, Monica Ganz, Ph.D.

Hi all, ObesityHelp is ready to kick off the training of the OH Chapters across the country. We are going to be helping set up support groups all over the country, but we need your help to do so. We need you - that's right YOU! We need people like you who are willing to give some of their time to get trained and lead. We will help you every step of the way. We will show you how to get started and how to keep going. If you have a support group going already, we can help you too. Our training program starts on November 29, 2004. I would love to have you join us and be a part of a team of people who are making a difference in people's lives. Contact me by phone at 866 957-4636 x 385 or e-mail me at [email protected] YOU can make the difference in someone's life. It's a Lifestyle, Monica Ganz, Ph.D.