I hope you have made your reservations made for the best convention in town. We are getting more things ready as we speak. There are so many different classes being offered it will make your head spin. Get out your funniest clothes and dress up for the big ball of Friday night. Then get ready for Saturday and Sunday with many speakers and friends. You can come for all of it or just parts of it - Register on line - Friday - October 29 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM - Chapter Leader (support group) Training 3:00 PM Registration opens 6:00 PM Vendors Forum Open 7:00 PM The Ball Startrs - Come and hear our live band "Planet 80's" Saturday - October 30 8:30 - Vendors Forum Open 9:00 - General Sessions - be on time for your tickets 9:40 to 12:00 PM - classes - you get to pick the classes you want to go to - From Bariatric issues to plastics... Lunch will be served - 1:00 to 4:30 - More classes to pick from - 5:00 Pm you are on your own for to visit City Walk or party into the night with your firends... Sunday - October 31 8:30 AM - Vendor Forum Open 9:00 AM - General Session - Start Be on time for the special drawing 9:30 to 11:00 AM - Special Speakers 11:00 AM - Performance by special group 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM - Lunch 12:30 to 1:40 PM An afternoon full of speakers and discussion groups 1:40 to 2:00 PM - Closing and drawings The entire weekend is only $75 Friday only $25 Saturday only $30 Sunday only $30 Hope you can come and enjoy the fun and learning. If you have any questions feel free to contact me at 866 957-4636 x 385. See you soon, Monica Ganz, Ph.D.

2 more days to buy your tickets at the current low price for LA heres what it includes: I'll be there who's w/ me? OH National event for 2004 Los Angeles California October 29 to 31, 2004 Universal Hilton Time is running out to register for this year's event. Cost is only $60 if you register by October 15 Registration After October 15 will be $75 You can register for one day if that would work better into your schedule: Friday night only for $25 Saturday for $30 Sunday for $30 If you are registering for only one or two days you must e-mail the registration information - name, address, phone, e-mail address and credit card information to: [email protected] You will receive your registration packet when you arrive and check in with ObesityHelp Here is our Convention Schedule -(subject to change) Friday: Chapter Leader (support group leader) training begins at 1:00 to 5:00 You must make reservations for this event with Monica Registration will open at 3:00 PM Vendor Booths will be open at 6:00 PM Grand Masquerade Ball starts at 7:00 PM to 11 PM 8:00 to 8:20 PM - Hear from Susan Maria with all of her cooking hints Live Music by Planet 80's Appetizers will be served Saturday: 8:30 AM - Vendors will open for you to visit them 9:00 AM - General Session and Welcome 9:10 to 9:30 - Bariatric Advantage Information 9:40 AM to 1:00 Break out Classes You can choose the class and topics that interest YOU 1:00 to 1:45 PM - Lunch will be served 2:00 to 4:30 PM - Break Out Classes 4:40 to 5:00 PM - General Sessions and drawings Classes you can choose between (subject to change) The "new me" coping strategies When thin is too thin - Anorexia and Bulimia Finding my Open Door Head Hunger Sabotage, Depression, Anxiety, and other post op demons Will I think I'm crazy? The Psychological evaluation and other pre op concerns. Massage and Relaxation Boundary Issues Building Self Esteem Lap band Procedure Information pre and post care Nutrition Post Care When the honeymoon is over - prepare for the longest plateau of your life Pilates for post care Cooking with Susan Maria Sticking with the program once you have lost The A B C's of Weight Loss Surgery Success Empower your mind Abuse and weight gain A, B, and C's of Nutritional needs Post op Exercise and Fitness Class Cooking on the GO Weighing less and moving more - how to pick up your pace The Most Important Change you can make is the quality of your life Learning to think like a thin person Life without scales Journey to OZ - Following the path to weight loss surgery Weight loss in Wonderland - advice from a caterpillar Visit with one of the following Doctors Dr. Katzen - Plastic Surgery Dr. Terry Simpson - Bariatric Surgeon Dr. Ramsey Dallal - Bariatric Surgeon Dr. Korman- Bariatric Surgeon Dr. Richard Lee - Plastic Surgeon Dr. Leport - Bariatric Surgeon Dr. Jacqueline Jacques - ND Dr. Quebbeman - Bariatric Surgeon Dr. Dallal - Bariatric Surgeon Sunday: 8:30 AM - Vendors will open for you to visit them 9:00 AM - General Session - on time drawing!! Don't be late. 9:15 to 9:35 - Vitamist will be sharing information about their product 9:40 to 10:00 - Lancaster Hospital Presentation 10:05 to 10:30 - Questcore will be sharing information with you 10:35 to 11:00 - Round table discussion 11:00 to 11:30 - Special Guest Performers 11:30 to 12:15 - Lunch is served 12:20 to 12:50 - Fashion Show time - come and cheer for you favorite stars 12:55 to 1:30 - Awards and weight spell up 1:30 to 2:00 - Closing and drawings Hope to see you all there!

Just wanted to let you know that there is more than The Wish Center here it Utah, that is relatively new. For a long time there has been Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians (RMAP www.utahbariatrics.com), as well as another surgeon... I think it's LeGrand Belnap? Anyway, just wanted to FYI anyone who was concerned.

Three days of Support and Patient Education Guest Speakers Informational Seminars and Question and Answer Sessions How to be a successful WLS Preop and Post op Patient Learn about and try new bariatric products. Hey Everyone, the LA Event is just around the corner! The fun begins Friday, October 29th at 6:00p.m at The Universal Hilton Hotel in Universal City, California. That night, we will kick off our 2nd National ObesityHelp Convention with a Costume Ball and a live band, playing your favorite songs from the 80's. Come dressed as your favorite halloween character or movie star and share this fun filled evening with those who have traveled or are traveling the same journey. Saturday and Sunday will be jam packed with support and education, guest speakers and breakout sessions for both preop and post op individuals. On Sunday, to wrap up our event, we will hold a ObesityHelp Fashion Show featuring some very familiar faces. Time is running out, so don't wait to register for the event. http://www.ohmemberevents.com/losangelesindex.htm?D=081704 We hope to see many of you there!!!! *********************************** Register early and save $15 per person! ObesityHelp National Convention Date: October 29th - 31st, 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Universal Studios Hilton 555 Universal Hollywood Drive Universal City, CA Hotel cost $124 plus tax per night. To register your room call 818-506-2500 Use convention code OBI to get the discounted room rate. Hurry as double rooms are filling up fast; you don't want to miss this end-of-the-year special event. The Cost if you register before October 15th $60 per person. After October 15th the cost goes up to $75.00 So, Hurry and SAVE $15.00! To register visit this website http://www.ohmemberevents.com Agenda for the weekend: Friday night: 6:00 pm until Join us for out special costume "Your The Star" party. Come dressed as your favorite Hollywood Star Or Halloween Character. Bring your cameras you won't want to miss all the "star studded" action on Friday night. The Friday night fun also includes a live 80's band for dancing nostalgia! Saturday: Break out sessions all day. Topics that will be covered: Plastic surgery, Bariatric Surgery, Men's only Group, Women's only Group, Post-op Nutrition, The New You, and so much more. Please see the Event website at http://www.ohmemberevents.com for a complete list of breakout sessions. The Saturday fun continues as many are going to visit the Universal City Walk. To see more about Universal City Walk use this website address. http://www.citywalkhollywood.com/ Sunday: Breakout sessions continue on Sunday with a special Post-op Fashion Show to conclude the day! To register immediately click here http://ohmemberevents.com/obesity+help+events+los+angeles.htm Sound like fun? Why not invite your entire support group to attend. Special group rates are available Until October 15th, 2004. Your group of 5 or more can register for just $50 each! Are you a support group leader and you want additional training and support from Obesityhelp? Obesityhelp is sponsoring a special support group leaders workshop on Friday October 29th from 1pm - 5pm just for support group leaders. If you are interested in this special training please email Monica Ganz, Ph.D.at [email protected] Kirk Thompson aka CROW -450# Lost ObesityHelp Staff

I applied for and qualified for a home equity loan to pay for my lap-band surgery. It worked out great! I was able to claim all of my costs on my income taxes, and got back a nice refund. I bought new family room furniture! Probably would have been smarter to put it towards paying off the loan... but, furniture is much more fun! Good luck! Allison