Hi Diana and Lori

Thanks Diana for taking the time to begin setting this up. Maybe if enough GH gastric bypass patients hook up with this, obesityhelp.com will be willing to do a name change. I am nervous because I just found out that my benefits at the school district that I work for are going to be changed as of October 1, 2005. I was just accepted into the program ( I am going for my ultrasound on the 30th of this month), and I don't know if I will make it to surgery before my insurance runs out. I have tried calling Harriet but she won't return my calls. Her assistants are nice and feel bad that there isn't direct communication. Harriet did leave me a one sentence email saying that they will make efforts to get me done before October, but it didn't sound that reassuring. I don't know if Harriet is overwhelmed; I suspect that I am not the only person who has thrust this deadline on her. It would be nice if there was more communication. I am trying to remain patient. Was it your experience that there was little communication until your date got closer? Any advice or information would be helpful. thanks PS - How do I attach my pic to my posts? Jim LovellFord

First of all, I'm excited to see your post. I'm sure Harriett is overwhelmed; I can't think of any other reason why she wouldn't get back to you. My insurance policy changed after I was accepted. They were able to squeeze me in early just before the coverage ended. Since there's still 6 months, I would be very surprised if they don't get you in, but that's just me thinking. I think I had less time than that if I remember correctly. I'll let you know if I can think of anything else that may help. Are you the one with the daughter who is also having WLS? Go to "Update Your Profile" and scroll down to "Profile Color and Photos." Follow the instructions there. If you don't have a server where you can store your photo, you will need to submit it to them so they can put it on their server which will take a few weeks at least. Good luck. Good to hear from you. Love Diana

Hi Jim, I too found that it was hard to get ahold of Harriet. But she always got back to me eventually. She did mention that she is a little overwhelmed and a little behind but assured me she was catching up. I know it feels like you are being ignored but trust me, you aren't. I felt the same way until I sat down and thought about all of the people who must be trying to contact them. I have completed all of my testing and am hoping that gets me in sooner. I found out today that they will drop the coverage in October for me also. The only thing I would suggest is to get your testing done ASAP. Have you had your psych consult yet? Take care Jim and good luck to you! Lori

Hi Jim! I work for FWSD and Harriet also told me that they may not cover the operation after Oct. 1, so they will get me in before that time. Maybe all the teachers should get together and petition them and say how important it is to continue coverage. I wonder if it is a WEA group plan or each district does their own plan. What do you think? I emailed Harriet last week, told her that I have all my "list" completed except that I have to wait until 4/29 for the Pulmonary Dr., and she responded the next day. She answered that I should start the weight management program/nutrition counselling 2-3 months in advance (the paperwork says 12 weeks?) She did not give me an orientation date or surgery date yet, so I'm not sure when to start...probably will be in late May. Sounds like a few of us are in this together! Mari

I was just revisiting this post. I have a better answer for your pic question. Go to http://www.photobucket.com. That's the one I use; there are others out there too. This site will let you upload your photo from your computer and store it there. BROWSE for your photo on your computer and select it. Then hit the SUBMIT button. Further down the page you will see your photo. Beneath your photo(s) there are three addresses (URL, TAG, IMG). Click once inside the URL address. That should select it (if all the letters turn black then it's selected) and hit Ctrl-C for COPY. Go to your profile update screen and under "Profile Color & Photos" you will see a spot for the URL for Photo 1 and Photo 2. Click inside the URL spot and hit Ctrl-V for PASTE. Now you can enter a description for your photo(s). Good luck. Let me know if you have trouble. Ctrl-C and Ctrl-V are standard shortcut keys for copy and paste and can be used most any where, not just word processing programs. So there's your lesson for today. I"ll be looking out for your photo. Congrats again on getting a surgery date. Diana

Hi Jim. I'm just wondering if you have progressed in your journey as of now? Do you have an orientation date yet? I have a date on the 3rd of June. Good luck and let us know. Mari