Go to: http://www.justin.tv/wlsfa

Get familiar with the agenda! We will share as much as we can with you at home!
AGENDA: http://wlsfa.org/2012mg-2/2012-meet-greet-agenda/

We will also be live streaming a LIVE Weight Loss Surgery on Saturday May 19 from 8:00 AM until 10:00 AM
Go here to watch the surgery and you can even tweet Questions to the surgeon Dr. Cirangle as he works!
LINK TO SURGERY PAGE: http://wlsfa.org/2012mg-2/live-streamed-weight-loss-surgery-event-may-19-2012/

For all joining us in Las Vegas at Bally’s THANK YOU!!!!! Registration starts at noon on Friday just outside the Pacific Ballroom. You will NOT get tickets in the mail. Just come to the registration table and pick up your Badge, Ribbons, Goody bags and Printed agendas!

SEE YA ALL REAL SOON!

The Weight Loss Surgery Foundation of America is a 501(C)3 Public Charity
If you have questions please contact the WLSFA:
On the web: http://wlsfa.org
Phone: 657-229-5732
Email:info@wlsfa.org

Together we are saving lives one grant at a time… Please Join US!

In The NEWS!

Darren King was in the news in Utah check out his interview here: http://networkedblogs.com/xERBJ

Click Photo to Read the Full Article

How exciting is this? We are so pleased that the media is covering our Grant Recipients and helping us raise awareness for the foundation, for the medical treatment of Obesity and Diabetes and for the wonderful medical professionals who have joined our network of care. The Utah Chapter is Joined by The Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians Physicians and Dr. Steven Simper. “We are thrilled with the study results and hope that people understand just how life saving weight loss surgery is. Type 2 Diabetes is so damaging to the body and the cost to our society for treating all the related health issues is in the billions. We hope this study will help push insurance companies to add medical treatment for obesity into their standard policies. Imagine you had Type 2 Diabetes and suffered from obesity and then you discover your insurance exempts weight loss surgery. We hear from people everyday who feel they were given a death sentence. It is why the WLSFA Grant Program exists.” ~ Antonia Namath CEO of the WLSFA. Read about the study HERE

Chris Stevenson had Roux-en-Y gastric bypass to resolve his Diabetes and Obesity. His sugeon was Dr. Sherman Smith also from Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians over 3 years ago. Here’s his story…




The Weight Loss Surgery Foundation of America is a 501(C)3 Public Charity
If you have questions please contact the WLSFA:
On the web: http://wlsfa.org
Phone:657-229-5732
Email:info@wlsfa.org

Together we are saving lives one grant at a time… Please Join US!

Read up about the Mighty Metabolic Men below, then use this form to submit your question. Rob will go through all the questions submitted and pick “the best” ones to put to the Mighty Metabolic Men, so be sure to come see them in Vegas to get your answers! Now’s your chance to ask the Men about their experience with Weight Loss Surgery or how they handle living with someone who has had it.

The following men will make up the Mighty Metabolic Men Panel:

Ian McGagh

My name is Ian (aka baka) I’m a 45 year old husband and father of a four
year old baby boy. In July 09 I underwent Life Saving RNY Weight Loss Surgery weighing in at a less than Svelte 444lbs. Since being reborn I’ve lost over 250lbs.

Like many of you I did my due diligence researching the various surgeries and had so many questions – Thanks to the following Angels: Toni, Lynnda, Taunia, Beth (Melting Mamma), AJ, SarahWillBeSkinny and GBB (Cari) taking the time to answer my questions/concerns I felt comfortable choosing surgery.

I know I wouldn’t be here living my life to the fullest and being the father and husband I had dreamed of without their help and for that I’m truly
grateful. I can never thank them enough for helping Aidan have a daddy as he grows up.

Early on in my journey I became disillusioned with the nastiness you see on certain places on the WLS www. Thankfully I found a safe harbor and second family/home on the BTV forums. I spend majority of my time on the BTV forums helping as much as I possibly can by paying it forward.

Thanks to my new healthy Lifestyle I’m able to exercise like a demon and compete in sprint triathlons and 5k’s – I still hate running with a passion
and draw the line at anything over 5k – But, I love to swim and ride my bike and have become a gym rat too.

I also love to push the envelope and do crazy things like: Sky Dive, Jump off an 855ft building, Zip-line at 70mph just for fun and raise a few $$$
for the WLSFA at the same time.

My advice to baby-freaks:
Pay it forward any way you can and you will help save someone’s LIFE – It doesn’t get much better than that!

When it gets tough remember the following: WLS it’s a Marathon NOT a Sprint.

Jamie Miles

Jamie Miles likes to say his life began once he started his Lap-Band process. In December of 2008, Jamie decided enough was enough and walked into a True Results seminar. In May of 2009 he had surgery and life began. He started following his own life’s ambitions and stopped living on the sidelines watching everyone else’s dreams come true. He’s has had (and still has) his share of struggles and “demons” to fight but his new found passion for life has helped motivate him to chase after every dream.

After being featured on the TrueResults.com website as a testimonial patient, Jamie decided to take things a step further and follow his dream of becoming a full-time working actor. Since then, Jamie has been featured in a variety of movies, television series and TV commercials and has also been an on-air product demonstrator for the local news, and hosted a small local cooking show called The Cooking Show. Some of his other credits include Trust Automotive, The Walking Dead, Empire Heating & Cooling, Drop Dead Diva, For Colored Girls, the remake of Footloose and BET’s The Game. In February of 2012 Jamie was nominated one of Atlanta’s Best Bachelor’s of 2012 by Fenuxe Magazine, a national LGBT magazine.

Bob Badore

My name is Bob and I am 35-year-old father of four gastric bypass post-op.  I had my gastric bypass in 2004 at Tufts New England Medical Center by Dr. Michael Tarnoff.  Prior to surgery I weighed 380 lbs and within 6 months of surgery I lost 200 lbs to my current and sustained weight of 187 lbs.

I come from a large family of post-ops, where my wife Melting Mama (Beth) had surgery 1 month prior to me and lost 170 lbs, as well and my mother and sister both had gastric bypass three years ago.

Having the luxury of being a patient and the spouse of a post-op has allowed me to gain the support needed to be successful.  Today, I do struggle somewhat with food, but I always remember what I was and how I never want to be that person again, because going back even after surgery is easy.

Michael Towe

As the husband of BariatricTV’s Toni Towe, Michael Towe is a self proclaimed “Normal Stomach Boy” living in a household of bariatric post ops since 2004. He’s been there during the ups, the downs, the bumps and the dumps. And by the time his daughter Danielle had her surgery in the summer of 2011 he had become an expert at answering the question. “Am I as big as her?”

Having gone through the joys, fears and yes even the petty insecurities of watching a wife go through weight loss, Michael can give you some insight into the dark recesses of you’re husbands brain.  But more than that he can also bring you insight into what goes through the mind of a father as he watches his daughter go under the knife for the same life changing surgery.

Andrew LeClair

Breaking nearly all of the documented long-term weight-loss records, Andrew Leon LeClair has maintained a successful weight-loss of 150 pounds for an unprecedented thirty two years as a result of bariatric surgery.

The challenging reality of his youth and family life set the tone for his accelerated path to childhood obesity. Because he was unwilling to accept limitation or defeat, he chose to take control of his life, rearrange his priorities, and find a long-term strategy to overcome obesity and achieve success and happiness. At the young age of 19, Andrew underwent his roux en y procedure and began the journey of managing his own nutrition and fitness. Today at 50 years old, Andrew is a long distance runner and completed the Boston Marathon in 2008.

With twenty three years of professional experience, Andrew is an accomplished international interior designer, who designs luxury hotels worldwide for one of the Top 10 International Interior Design Giants. Andrew has battled weight gain and loss, along with an array of other personal struggles, which was his motivation to write his first book, “One Foot In Front Of The Other, A Man’s Journey Away From Obesity”. Andrew’s goal is to share the valuable lessons he has learned along his personal and professional journey, and he hopes to inspire his readers to achieve a lifelong path to physical fitness and emotional health.

Rob Portinga

After hitting a high weight of over 380 pounds put a damper on one of the things I loved doing… playing paintball… I finally realized I needed some help. That help came in the form of roux en-y gastric bypass on April 8, 2009. That decision really did change my life. Taking what I learned during my weigh loss, I transformed nearly every aspect of my life. I’m more active than ever, with paintball, biking, running, and more.

I went from a career in construction management to starting a business as a health coach, being on the radio, speaking at conferences and more. I continue to volunteer to work with others through my surgeon’s office and “pay it forward” in every way that I can, and of course I continue to try and bring the dude’s perspective to all this through formerfatdudes.com - I look forward to seeing friends, old and new, as I make the trip out to Vegas for the third time this year.

UPDATE! Darren’s surgery is complete!!

Darren with his wife and adorable sons!

Dr. Steven C. Simper

In Darren’s own Words:
“Where do I even begin to put into words the gratitude that I feel. I have struggled since the day I submitted my application, as to how I could express it, and make a full impact. As a semi young father my focus has turned from myself to my family. What could I do to ensure my Children, and Wife were happy, healthy, and supported. But as I did this I masked who I felt I was. I have always tried to hide behind something, whether it be my work, or a desk, or in my room. Or pretending that being a good provider would take the focus off of me and my physical appearance. But a my Boys get older, and want Dad to participate in activities, and dad doesn’t want to because I felt tired and fatigued. Going to an amusement park and my boys wonder; Why isn’t Dad coming on the ride? I pretend I’m afraid, or ill, I might get sick, but deep down inside I know it’s because I won’t fit in the seat, and I don’t want to embarrass my family. I have Struggled with weight since after high School. I have known that barring a miracle I would be obese all of my life, and it at some point it would kill me. I have tried all of the Fads, Program diets like Weight Watcher, Atkins, HGC, While they all worked in their own way, I would always gain all of it back plus some. I truly believe in this program, I believe in The Doctor. And I believe in the WLSFA it is truly amazing that a foundation could be so Selfless, and truly care about the people that they are helping. I don’t know that I could ever say anything that would express my feeling towards you. So with that I will simply say Thank you from the bottom of my heart. For allowing me to continue to be Dad, and Husband, and Employee, and now An ambassador for the WLSFA, and I hope that I may have the opportunity to take place in effecting someone else’s life. Thank you for this amazing opportunity, I can’t wait. ~ Darren King”

Updates about our Annual Fundraiser – it’s how we fund these amazing grants!
As we get closer and closer to the Mother of All Meet & Greets, the attendee list is getting more and more exciting!
[/caption]The agenda LINK looks amazing and we have so many wonderful people joining us.

The Weight Loss Surgery Foundation of America is a 501(C)3 Public Charity
If you have questions please contact the WLSFA:
On the web: http://wlsfa.org
Phone:657-229-5732
Email:info@wlsfa.org

Together we are saving lives one grant at a time… Please Join US!

Upon hearing the news of Carnie Wilson’s recent LAP-BAND surgery on January 18, 2012, The Weight Loss Surgery Foundation of America would like to voice our support for Ms. Wilson’s continued journey to a long and healthy life free from obesity. We applaud her dedication and hope that a strong aftercare program provided by her bariatric surgeons practice will help Carnie reach her health goals.

In the 12 years since Carnie Wilson’s Roux-en Y gastric bypass surgery, much has been learned and many advances have been made in the bariatric community.  The WLSFA would also like to take this as an opportunity to inform the public about the procedure called “Band Over Bypass, also known as BOB.”  Some weight loss surgery patients elect a surgical revision to support additional weight loss and lifetime maintenance.   A revision with LAP-BAND surgery over the previous Roux-en Y gastric bypass, BOB,  may be the answer for some. By placing a LAP-BAND over the original gastric bypass, it will restore the ability to limit food intake and promote a feeling of fullness (satiety) after meals.

This video demonstrates how the procedure is done:

Click here to view the embedded video.

“It’s easy for medical professionals and the general public to be bias towards those who have had weight loss surgery and did not achieve or maintain their weight loss.  There is no simple fix to obesity.  We want to show through education, access to correct information, and community support, that we can encourage others like Carnie Wilson to continue to thrive and beat obesity,” says Founder Antonia Namnath.

We wish Carnie the very best with her new LAP-BAND, and hope that she reaches all of her health and weight loss goals.  The Weight Loss Surgery Foundation of America will be here to cheer her along the way!

For more information about the Weight Loss Surgery Foundation of America, please visit:  www.wlsfa.org.

Connie Then and Now - WOW!

In Connie’s own words:

Please all visit Connie’s you tube channel ( http://www.youtube.com/QuiltingConnieB ) and send her your words of congratulation’s on all of her wonderful accomplishments!
Until I post again ~ Antonia Namnath

The Weight Loss Surgery Foundation of America is a 501(C)3 Public Charity
If you have questions please contact the WLSFA:
On the web: http://wlsfa.org
Phone:657-229-5732
Email:info@wlsfa.org

Together we are saving lives one grant at a time… Please Join US!

We are Kicking it Up A Notch in 2012!

BALLY’S Hotel and Casino ~ On the Strip! When: May 18,19,20 2012 Who: WLS Peeps from around the globe! Join us for the largest gathering of WLS Peeps ever assembled!
EARLY BIRD PRICING IS OVER! Thank you to all who purchased! Mother of all Meet & Greet TICKET PRICES: From 3/8/2012 on: $110 per person Good until SOLD OUT! EVENT ONLY TICKETS (If you are NOT staying at BALLY’s and NOT a local resident) $170.00 per person NOTE: Local Las Vegas Residence and their Guests Qualify for the $110 Bally’s Hotel Plus Event Ticket Prices.
EVENT AGENDA	EXHIBITOR INFORMATION
WLSFA SPONSORS	OUR SPEAKERS



A shout out Invitation from ELVIS!



It is 2012, and we are starting to select our grant recipients!
From August 2011 until January 31,2011 the WLSFA accepted Application from referred patients who needed full episode of care grants to allow them to have weight loss or reconstructive plastic surgery. We are still reviewing application and will announce additional grant recipients in the weeks to come.

Darren with his wife and adorable sons!

Dr. Steven C. Simper

In Darren’s own Words:
“Where do I even begin to put into words the gratitude that I feel. I have struggled since the day I submitted my application, as to how I could express it, and make a full impact. As a semi young father my focus has turned from myself to my family. What could I do to ensure my Children, and Wife were happy, healthy, and supported. But as I did this I masked who I felt I was. I have always tried to hide behind something, whether it be my work, or a desk, or in my room. Or pretending that being a good provider would take the focus off of me and my physical appearance. But a my Boys get older, and want Dad to participate in activities, and dad doesn’t want to because I felt tired and fatigued. Going to an amusement park and my boys wonder; Why isn’t Dad coming on the ride? I pretend I’m afraid, or ill, I might get sick, but deep down inside I know it’s because I won’t fit in the seat, and I don’t want to embarrass my family. I have Struggled with weight since after high School. I have known that barring a miracle I would be obese all of my life, and it at some point it would kill me. I have tried all of the Fads, Program diets like Weight Watcher, Atkins, HGC, While they all worked in their own way, I would always gain all of it back plus some. I truly believe in this program, I believe in The Doctor. And I believe in the WLSFA it is truly amazing that a foundation could be so Selfless, and truly care about the people that they are helping. I don’t know that I could ever say anything that would express my feeling towards you. So with that I will simply say Thank you from the bottom of my heart. For allowing me to continue to be Dad, and Husband, and Employee, and now An ambassador for the WLSFA, and I hope that I may have the opportunity to take place in effecting someone else’s life. Thank you for this amazing opportunity, I can’t wait. ~ Darren King”
We are excited for Darren our Sixth Surgery Grant Recipient and will post many additional updates in the weeks to come ~ Antonia Namnath

Updates about our Annual Fundraiser – it’s how we fund these amazing grants!
As we get closer and closer to the Mother of All Meet & Greets, the attendee list is getting more and more exciting!

Doctors Garth and Robert Davis

Amelia AKA MassageGoddess on You Tube

We want to give a special Thank You to Allergan, a Platinum Sponsor of the Mother of All Meet & Greets. Allergan Health makers of the Lap-Band has earned a special place in the hearts of our foundation because they truely support the mission of the WLSFA. Allergan joined our “Network of Care” last year and have recommitted their support for 2012. It is sponsorships like this that make the entire Meet & Greet a successful fundraiser and allows us to use every penny from our ticket sales and exhibitor fees for Surgery Grants! You can learn more about Allergan and their products at their web site HERE

Lastly we wanted to update everyone on some great new additions to our National Board of Directors, our Advisory Board and Our Chapter Program! We are very proud to announce we have added Ms. Sandi Henderson and Ms. Sarah Halbrook to our National Board of Directors! Both weight loss surgery patients, both true advocates for our foundation and the special needs of our community. Sandi a long term Lap Band Patient and Sarah a Gastric Bypass patient have always worked in the background supporting the WLSFA. We are so happy to have them join us in this official way and will be updating their full Bios’ on the web site very soon!
On our Advisory board we are joined by Dr. Garth Davis,and Jamie Carr both of the Davis Clinic and we have added Dr. Eric DeMaria who is also a Chapter President in Raleigh North Carolina.

WLSFA Local Area Chapters are on their way!

The Weight Loss Surgery Foundation of America is a 501(C)3 Public Charity
If you have questions please contact the WLSFA:
On the web: http://wlsfa.org
Phone:657-229-5732
Email:info@wlsfa.org

Together we are saving lives one grant at a time… Please Join US!

RUNNING: AFTER THE GOAL…by Carlshawn Stovall

Bariathletes!

Obesity affects 34 percent of adults age 20 and over in the United States, which equals to more than 72 million people. 32.2 percent of American men and about 35.5 percent of American women are obese. Obesity is described as a disease that occurs when an individual’s mass index (BMI) is over 30 or weight is 20 percent or more above normal weight. “Morbid obesity” refers to being more than 100 pounds over normal weight or having a BMI of 40 or greater. “I wasn’t happy with myself anymore,” Wendy says. “I mentally couldn’t handle the physical shape of my body.” Recent statistics from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention show that approximately 65 percent of all U.S. citizens are overweight. Even worse, the organization has estimated that 30 percent, totaling more than 60 million Americans, are obese. And more than 12.5 million children age 2 to 19 are overweight, according to the U.S. Surgeon General. For the BariAthletes, these facts are true and have been lived firsthand. “At my heaviest, I hit a low point,” says Hua Her, “I had tried every diet and I was exercising, and I would lose weight—but I could never maintain the weight loss.” Hua says weight loss surgery was her last only hope. “If weight loss surgey didn’t work, well, it had to work.” Since undergoing her Lapband surgery in February of 2009, Hua has lost close to 100 pounds, and the March L.A. Marathon will be her second venture into marathon running. “I use to watch Marathons on television, and always dreamed of running one myself. The truth is, before, I didn’t think I could. But I think I’ve always secretly been a strong athlete,” Hua says. Wendy and Hua, along with their partners Joelle and Amy, met each other shortly after all undergoing separate weight loss procedures, respectively, in 2009.

Social media has changed the way bariatric patients receive information both pre and post op. Sites like Facebook and Twitter, have made it simple for patients thinking about the surgery to ask questions. Sites like Youtube, produces thousands of video options when words like “weight loss surgery” or “bariactric” are used in searches. The four women found kindred spirits of inspiration on Youtube. Wendy, who goes by the Youtube moniker “BandedWendy”, has found a community of strong fighters through the site. Those who’s battles were just getting started post op—those looking for the next challenge. Marathon running was it, but not without its reservations. “There was always a fear about running for me,” Hua says, “that low self esteem from being the last kid in every race because of my weight.” Hua, goes by the Youtube channel “Rainsh01“. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” says Joelle Murray, 43. Joelle, who had gastric bypass surgery, has had the idea of running a full marathon for a while. “I use to work out when I was heavy, but realized I wouldn’t be able to run a marathon that way. I’ve lost 130 pounds since the surgery, and I’m not going back—I’m going forward!” For Joelle, participating previously in a half marathon was no discouragement for going the longer distance. Joelle’s YouTube channel is “BypassJo“. “I did the L.A. Half marathon with Hua last year,” Joelle says. “It was tough. Hua finished before me, then came back and found me. She told me to go at my own pace.” And this upcoming full marathon run is, “For the four of us. The four of us who push each other. And for anyone out there who thinks they can’t do it. They can. I can, they can”. “Running makes me stronger,” Hua said, “physically, mentally and spiritually. It builds my self confidence.” The number of weight-loss surgeries performed at California hospitals increased by nearly 7% from 2005 to 2009. Weight loss surgery is a serious surgical procedure that decreases the size of the stomach, reduces food intake and can enable you to lose a significant amount of weight. The permanent procedure requires a lifetime commitment to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Weight loss surgery not only helps you to lose weight, but can help improve your overall health, well-being and self-esteem. There are a variety of different weight loss surgeries to choose from, including the most talked about, Lapband and gastric bypass.
Amy Polozzolo underwent the VSG procedure 3 years ago and her YouTube channel is “AmySDMom“. During the VSG procedure the stomach is restricted by stapling and separating it vertically and removing 85% of it. This part of this particular procedure is not reversible. The stomach that remains is shaped and then measures 1-5 ounces, depending on the surgeon. No matter what the surgery chosen, all four ladies echoed the same previous frustrations about their numerous attempts to lose the weight beforehand. “I just couldn’t keep it off,” Amy says. “I had lost the same 100 pounds four times—over 10 years, never getting to a normal BMI. There’s also a history of weight related health problems in my family, like diabetes. I was already dealing with knee problems.” Amy also points to her daughter as a cause of inspiration, “My daughter is disabled, and it was also hard to chase her around at almost 300 pounds. “ Amy wasted no time in making sure that her new life included fitness. “I started working out as soon as I could.” The idea of running a full marathon was not on her mind in those early moments, “I had tried the Couch 2 5K program with no results before losing 149 pounds. Then I met the girls and they said I could do it.”

Any long distance runner will tell you that a top notch mental game must be played to go for such long runs. This extra focus and energy is almost always associated with athletes preparing physically via food for fuel before a race. Carbs, protein, and more carbs are the usual suggestion for such endurance challenges as marathons. But how does a bariatric patient get those all too important carbohydrates in? There seems to be no real answer, although a few websites claim to have bariathletic nutrition plans, all four ladies say like the results of surgery, their preparations for the marathon in terms of food, are different and varies on the person. “It’s a struggle,” says Hua. “For instance, certain foods just don’t work well with the Lapband, certain foods it can’t tolerate. Trying to find the right nutrition to fuel my body especially as a bariatric patient is challenging. I believe there is a need for more research in regards to nutrition for weight loss surgery patients who have become athletes.” For Amy, “No gluten or sugar.” For Wendy, “I’ve done the carb load thing in the past for preparation runs, and also tried it without. I’m still figuring it out.” While their food for fuel consumption varies, the plan of action in terms of physical prep, starts with literally hitting the ground and running. “It’s hard,” says Joelle, “but the further you go out in terms of distance, it’s like, that’s it.” The group has been meeting on and off for the allotted 18-20 weeks of marathon training. They’ve been meeting everywhere from Downtown Los Angeles, to Oceanside. “Last week we ran from Santa Monica down to Marina Del Rey”, Wendy said. “When I first moved to L.A. from Ohio, I had friends who lived up and down that length. I never imagined one day I’d be able to actually run it.” The training doesn’t stop at just running, says Wendy “I’m doing biking and swimming. Alot of cross training.” Wendy also echoed the groups sentiment when it comes to the importance of this race, as it pertains to the approaching 3rd year of having had weight loss surgery. All the girls hail from the same “class year”. “It’s 3 years out, and it’s a milestone. I want to prove to myself that I can. This is my first full marathon. This is the longest I’ve kept the weight off in my entire life! It’s a milestone for my journey,” Wendy says with pride in her eyes. “I wanted to push myself,” says Amy, “and get healthier along the way.”

…
Sunday March 18th 2012, the L.A. Marathon will take runners starting from historic Dodger Stadium along a path through Hollywood and on to the beach. No doubt there will be many standout stories and runners with various reasons for their run. The group keeps it in perspective. “5 months ago I started this marathon journey,” Amy says, “and it was Wendy and Hua. They showed me I could by saying, look, we’re doing it, and you can too!” “It really change my life,” Joelle says, mother of 2. “I couldn’t properly exercise when I was heavy. Now, I’m running a marathon.” Wendy and Hua, however, find the marathon experience to be a personal one. “This one is for me, all the way,” relates Hua. “I’m running for me,” Wendy says, “because I can.”

Additional Information: Wendy Campbell is on the National Board of Director’s of the WLSFA. Wendy’s Marathon is also a fundraiser for the WLSFA.
Please consider supporting Wendy with your donation. http://www.crowdrise.com/proofwlsworksyoutube
All funds raised go directly to the WLSFA

The Weight Loss Surgery Foundation of America is a 501(C)3 Public Charity
If you have questions please contact the WLSFA:
On the web: http://wlsfa.org
Phone:657-229-5732
Email:info@wlsfa.org

Together we are saving lives one grant at a time… Please Join US!

Sarah with Dr. J. Timothy Katzen just after surgery on September 27,2011

The Weight Loss Surgery Foundation of America is a 501(C)3 Public Charity
If you have questions please contact the WLSFA:
On the web: http://wlsfa.org
Phone:657-229-5732
Email:info@wlsfa.org

Together we are saving lives one grant at a time… Please Join US!

Please CLICK HERE to View Larger Agenda

In other news…..

We have just over 100 days until the Mother of All Meet & Greets in Las Vegas! Our Hotel rooms are almost sold out so please book your room soon!
Get you event tickets BEFORE 2/29/1012 to get the extended early bird pricing! Click HERE now to book your room and get tickets! We will sell out again this year. Speaking of that THANK YOU to the hundreds of people who have already gotten their tickets and rooms! We will have a whole host of amazing activities, speakers, awards and surprises!



2012 Mother of all Meet & Greet Exhibitors and Sponsors as of today are:
Allergan –Two Time Platinum Sponsor
Bariatric Advantage – Two Time Gold Sponsor
BariWear – New for 2012
BCS Coleen Cook – New for 2012
Bell Plantation PB2 – New for 2012
Big Train Fit Frappe’ – New for 2012
BJ Bariatrics
Blender Bottles
Body Media – New for 2012
Building Blocks Vitamins – New for 2012
Celebrate Vitamins – Two Time Gold Sponsor
Core Omega
Dr. Alejandro Quiroz, M.D. – New for 2012 – Professional Sponsor
Dr. Michael Pickart, M.D. – New for 2012 – Professional Sponsor
Dr. J Timothy Katzen, M.D. -Two Time Professional Sponsor
Dr. Joseph Michaels, M.D.– New for 2012 – Professional Sponsor
Flat-D – New for 2012
GoTein
It Works Body Wraps
New Whey Nutrition
NuGo
Obesity Help
Pharmics
Premier Nutrition
Protica – New for 2012
Synovis – New for 2012 – Professional Sponsor
Slimpressions
UDI’s Gluten Free Breads – New for 2012
Wellesse – New for 2012 – Professional Sponsor
THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SPONSORS!!!!

The Weight Loss Surgery Foundation of America is a 501(C)3 Public Charity
If you have questions please contact the WLSFA:
On the web: http://wlsfa.org
Phone: 657-229-5732
Email: info@wlsfa.org

Our vision came to life!

Please read the speech HERE

I was honored to receive a gift from a fellow presenter, Mr Rick Miller Director of Texas A & M Center for Applied Leadership. View their web site HERE Mr. Miller also a weight loss surgery patient presented me with this world marble. Rick explained that he presents this small token to people the program considers Leaders who are changing the world! WOW I was so touched. This little gift is now my most prized possession, with out knowing it Rick gave my confidence the boost it needed to follow up on this meeting to do great things for our beloved WLS community! I was also honored to do an filmed interview for Rick and his group and I will share that with you all when it becomes public.

The Weight Loss Surgery Foundation of America is a 501(C)3 Public Charity
If you have questions please contact the WLSFA:
On the web: http://wlsfa.org
Phone:657-229-5732
Email: info@wlsfa.org