Fw: more Aetna DS approval

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Charity,

Here are more DS procdures covered by Aenta. Thanks! K.C. Begley

Association for Morbid Obesity Support

Resources and peer support for morbid obesity and weight loss

surgery

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Important Disclaimer - Please Read:

Of all the comments made about surgeons over the internet, these here are

just a small sample. With time, this library of comments will continue to grow,

creating a more representative profile of any surgeon listed. All patients and

surgeons are strongly encouraged to help add to this list by visiting

www.obesityhelp.com. We make no claims or warranties as to the accuracy of any

comments here and have made no attempt to verify any information here. We do not

endorse or represent any of these comments or any surgeon listed. All comments

here are posted directly by the public.

Click here to look up this surgeon's standing with the OH Medical Board.

S. Hess M.D.

Note: ObesityHelp.com has not attempted in any way to verify the information

below.

1. Fact Sheet:

Location Bowling Green, OH

Phone Click here for phone #

Medical School S. Hess M.D. has not yet supplied this info.

Residency S. Hess M.D. has not yet supplied this info.

2. Self-Reported Clinial Experience

Procedure Type No. per

mo ave Total

Performed # Years

Experience

Sorry, S. Hess M.D. has not yet supplied bariatric procedure

information

3. Known insurers approving bariatric surgery through S. Hess M.D.

Name Type Date

Aetna - Aetna Duodenal Switch 07/20/00

Choice Plus - HMO Duodenal Switch 12/1/00

Family Health Plan - cornerstone RNY - type unknown 03/22/00

Gallagher Bassett Duodenal Switch 10/95

Gallagher Benefit Administrators, Inc. - PPO Duodenal Switch 08/09/00

Medical Mutual Other 08/21/00

Medical Mutual - ppo Other 01/05/00

Medical Mutual - HMO Other 12/1/00

Medical Mutual Duodenal Switch 04/17/01

Medical Mutual of Ohio Duodenal Switch 01/08/00

Medical MUtual of Ohio RNY - type unknown 04/30/99

Self Insuranced through my employer. Other 02/11/01

united health care Other 06/10/01

4. Comments from patients:

Note: These comments have not been checked or reivewed for accuracy by any

party. This is just a public posting board.

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06/25/01

Tony Graber

dustytrails1@...

Plano, IL Dr. Hess was the first to do the BPD/DS proceedure in Bowling

Green, Ohio. Many of my family have been to Dr. Hess for various reasons, one

for WLS. However I didn't go to him for that reason alone, it's because he's

come up with a proceedure that works and affords what I consider a much more

normal way of eating and drinking for life. Everyone needs to come to their own

conclusions, but be sure to get informed and consider the varous choices. Info

on DS @ 'www.duodenalswitch.com'. About risks. Dr. Hess does address them, but

here's something I found ... some surgeons limit thier risky patients to make

numbers look better, find out, ask, consider that as you compare. Dr. Hess has

done quite a number of very large high risk patients, most have done well, a

couple haven't ... but consider this, he's thinks of the patients, even if it's

a last hope effort, and not just protecting his track record by turning away

high risk patients. Something to consider. They seem to have a decent after care

group. The office staff was generally helpful. In looking at WLS however, I've

found many offices are not helpful, and many Drs. who aren't very available. For

me, I've appreciated Dr. Hess being accessable and answering my questions. After

all, if you can't get to Dr. before surgery, I'd worry about what happens after

surgery. In general, the WLS community could be a lot more patient friendly,

afterall, they want us to put our very lives in their hands. Dr. Hess and

several others I talked to were pleasant and helpful, but a lot were not.

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06/10/01

browneyes54@...

Findlay, Oh Dr.Hess and his associate Dr.Oakley are very nice.My first

impression of them both is that they really care and want to help people like us

that have no one else to turn to.

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06/02/01

Garner

mrsdrg@...

Findlay,, oh Forgot to post a comment.

Will someone please kindly remind to come back to www.obesityhelp.com

to update her record and tell us about S. Hess M.D.?

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06/01/01

a B

paulla29@...

northwest, OH Dr. Hess was wonderful and very caring...definitely knows

what he is doing. Office staff is nice. I would definitely recommend Dr. Hess

and of course would use him again. He encourages post op patients to follow up

with him every six months/year, occasionally the staff calls asking how you're

doing, what's your weight, having any problems, etc. He is especially interested

on continued follow ups andfollowing women who become pregnant after the

surgery. As for which is better (surgical competence or bedside manner)

Definitely BOTH..not many Doctors know how to master this but Dr. Hess does!!

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05/28/01

kathy foor

JTFOOR@...

northwood, oh MET WITH DR.HESS AT ONE OF THE MONTHLY MEETINGS. FOUND HIM

TO BE UP TO DATE AND INFORMED, QWICK WITTED AND AT TIMES FUNNY. HAD APPOINTMENT

WITH DR OAKLEY AND IT WAS A LONG MEETING AS I HAVE MANY HEALTH PROBLEM TO

CONSIDER AND HE WANTED TO BE VERY INFORMED AND NOT GO INTO SURGERY BLIND. HE

NEVER MADE MY HUSBAND OR I FEEL IN ANYWAY RUSHED AND HE WENT INTO DETAILS

CONCERNING BEFORE AND AFTER CARE AS WELL AS WE WENT OVER THE SURGERY AGAIN. THE

OFFICE STAFF HAS AT TIMES BUGGED ME, BEING SHORT AND MATTER OF FACT ALMOST TO

THE POINT OF BEING RUDE, NOT ALL THE TIME JUST A COUPLE OF TIMES, MAYBE IT

BECAUSE THE STRESSED OUT AND VERY BUSY I JUST DO NOT KNOW......

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04/30/01

Mindy Laiho

mindy1971@...

Findlay, OH Actually, my surgeon will be Dr. Hess's new partner, Dr.

Oakley. I watched a video by Dr. Hess and found him to be a very

considerate and caring person. Dr. Oakley is the same. I learned to trust him

and I gained more confidence in him as we talked. The office staff there is

wonderful. They're very nice, helpful and friendly. I can't say that I disliked

anything about Dr. Oakley or Dr. Hess. Dr. Oakley has been a gastric surgeon in

land for 30 years. When I consulted with him, he had not performed bariatric

surgery yet, but seemed extremely knowledgable about the operation. He was very

thorough in explaining what would be done. Aftercare is strongly emphasized. The

surgery they do is the Bileopancreatic Diversion with a Duodenal Switch - a

surgery that is performed by only 30-some surgeons world-wide. They want you to

come back at least yearly for a checkup. Dr. Hess gives his patients his home

phone number in case they need help with anything. If the patient moves away,

they want that patient to stay in contact with them. The risks of surgery were

addressed and I learned I really didn't have much to fear. My mind was put at

ease when I found out that there's no greater risk with this surgery than with

any other type of surgery. There's a very small risk of developing a leak, but I

was told it is highly treatable. There's also a small chance of becoming

dehydrated/malnourished, but if that happens, they'll put you in the hospital

for a day or two with an iv to replenish you. I would rate both Dr. Oakley and

Dr. Hess very highly, judging from my personal experience with them. Their

surgical competence is very, very high (especially since Dr. Hess is the one who

came up with this procedure). I was told by a nurse that Dr. Hess's bedside

manner is caring, but he doesn't have time to stand and talk for a long time

with post-ops in the hospital. He's very busy and if you have any questions, you

should have them written down ahead of time. Also, he arrives very early in the

morning to check on patients. Of course, I don't know about Dr. Oakley's bedside

manner, but judging from his character, I'd say it's probably very good.

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04/17/01

Schreiber

allyncoke1446@...

Millbury, Oh DR. HESS was great he took his time to explain to me about

the surgery. I was concerned about a few things but when I left I felt at ease.

DID NOT SAY I AM NOT SCARED.>> but his wife works in the office and she is so

helpful. the day I saw DR.HESS he gave me a surgery date of 09-20-01 and when I

called them to let know I was approved through my insurance company they moved

my surgery date to 05-03-01 ;;WOW;;

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03/14/01

Kay Leighton

kayleighton@...

Fremont, Oh Dr. Hess and his wife are wonderful. I am so greatful and

lucky to find such a wonderful, patient and careing Dr. You are a person to him

not a number.My husband went with me to my first visit. Before we went my

husband had lots of doubts and conserns. Sence I had two stomach stapelings 18

years ago that failed before I ever left the hospital. Dr. Hess never rushed us,

answered all our questions. And really made us feel really convertible. Really

caredfor you as a patient.He really emphasizes after care and keeping in touch

at all times.He explained all the complications that could happen. From 1-10

with 10 being the best My husband and I rate Dr. Hess and his son a number 10.I

was and am very nervous about my surgery sencethis is a revision from past two

stomach stapelings. But I feel I have the very best Dr. for this surgery. If the

great Dr. Hess can't do this KNOW ONE CAN.Dr. Hess and the great guy up above

are gona change my life forever. March 22nd 2001 I will have the life I was only

able to dream about and wish for in the past. I am so glad Dr. Hess lives

driving distance from us. Because if he haden't been I would of flown around the

world to have him do my surgery. Will up date you later of my post op. Thank God

for Dr's like Dr Hess in Bowling Green OHIO

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02/19/01

a Gossman

Pstaple@...

Arlington, OH My first impression of Dr. Hess is that he must be very

dedicated to his patients to hold monthly meetings, free of charge, to anyone

interested in WLS. I went, listened, and came away with the distinct impression

that this surgery was a huge step, but also the answer to my prayerss. I called

the next day and got an appointment for a consult with the doctor. My husband

accompanied me and we spent about an hour with Dr. Hess while he went over the

whole procedure again, explaining to my husband exactly what the surgery

involved. I think we were well informed about the procedure when we left,

although I did feel somewhat rushed as the Dr. was leaving for Florida for a

month, on a plane that afternoon and the whole office staff was rushing around

finishing up last minute details. After my initial consult, they sent me over to

Wood County Hospital to have some tests done. I gave them blood and urine for

tests, had an EKG done, and also a Spirometer test,(breathing test). I am

scheduled to return to the hospital Mar 16th for a Gall Bladder x-ray and an

upper GI. UGH! I dread that! A letter was sent to my insurance company by Dr.

Hess and I am still waiting to hear from them. I suppose its time for me to

start " hounding " them. My impressions of Dr. Hess?? He seems like a very nice,

caring doctor. He does stress aftercare and keeping in touch with him so that he

may keep records on his patients and any problems they may experience down the

road, for future " switchers " . From what I have heard of Dr. Hess from his

patients, I feel lucky to have him near enough that I can have him as my

surgeon. I am sure that if I was still living in Kansas, I would not be

considering this surgery, as I dont think I could travel far from home to go

through something like this.

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02/19/01

Rice

, Oh I've heard good things so far about this surgeon. I'm looking

forward to meeting him for a consultation visit.

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02/19/01

Shelly Noble

timbertop32@...

, Oh Hopefully I'll be having my surgery soon!

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02/11/01

kellydream@...

Arlington, OH Dr. Hess is a wonderful doctor. He took very good care of

me while I was in the hospital. He has an outstanding support group which he

meets with monthly. Email me with questions on the monthly meetings if you would

like to know more.

I would highly recommend Dr. Hess. He is very knowledgeable about the

BPD/DS!

He empasizes aftercare to a great degree. He has a regular schedule of

follow up office visits he wishes you to use.

He is great with surgical competence and beside manner. In fact he and

his son generally do their morning rounds together or they did when I had my

surgery in the fall of 1998.

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02/03/01

Beulah Eastman

beulah_eastman@...

Youngstown, OH Dr. Hess is very professional. He set my mind at east

right away because he handled this matter as if it were an everyday problem

(which it is for him) and answered any questions I had. His office staff is

small - his wife and one other -- but courteous. He is very concerned about

aftercare. I am 180 miles away but he answered my questions by phone when I had

them. After the surgery I pulled a muscle and had difficulty breathing. He

encouraged me to go to the local hospital for treatments (THAT TURNED OUT TO BE

A CATASTROPHE! THEY WERE MORE CONCERNED WITH INVESTIGATING MY SURGERY THAN THEY

WERE HELPING ME TO BREATHE WITHOUT PAIN). But he was concerned.

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01/22/01

Cyndee Osborne

cyndeelee37@...

LaRue, OH First impression of Dr. Hess was real nice guy who really

cared. I still feel the same way, as he cares about his patients progress. His

staff is very helpful. There is nothing I didn't like about my Doctor. He

emphasizes aftercare and I still see him after 8 months. I don't know for how

long but my next apt is in a few months. He addressed the risks of surgery well

and let me watch video, gave me plenty of phamplets to read and plenty of time

to think about my decision. I would rate him a 10 on a scale of 1 to 10! His

surgical compentence and bedside manner are also excellent. He has answered many

questions and calmed me down when I was nervous about something. He let me call

him at home when needed too. I would strongly going to Dr. Hess in Bowling Green

as he is one of the best there is.

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01/14/01

Teri D.

too_be_free@...

Los Alamos, NM

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11/17/00

Ruth Musgrave

RAM7579@...

Findlay, OH Dr. Hess is a wonderful doctor. He took very good care of me

while I was in the hospital and his follow-up is excellent. He has an

outstanding support group which he meets with monthly. I would highly recommend

Dr. Hess. He is very knowledgeable about the BPD/DS!

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11/13/00

Dee K.

WannaBLoser@...

Toledo, OH Dr. Hess is an incredible man. My first impression of him was

that he is full of energy! He also has a great sense of humor, which put me at

ease right away. His office staff is good.. although they are busy and sometimes

a little short with answers. Dr.Hess emphasizes aftercare a great deal. He is a

VERY cautious doctor and seems to keep his patients on liquid and pureed foods

much longer than other surgeons. To me this is good... better safe than sorry!

Dr.Hess and the hospital staff definitely address the risks of surgery while

going through all of the pre-op testing. At this time I would give Dr. Hess a

10.. on a scale of 1 to 10. He wrote 3 letters to my insurance company, helping

me to gain approval. He wrote those letters and faxed them the very day he

received the denials. I would rather have surgical competence than a great

bedside manner.. but luckily with Dr.Hess, you do not have to make that choice!

He has both!

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09/26/00

Beth Wilkins

biffer@...

Bowling Green, OH I was somewhat apprehensive about meeting Dr. Hess.

I've had doctors in the past that were nearing " the golden years " and have had

problems with them being " stuffy " or just plain dorky. The " old school "

techniques. I attended an info/pre-op meeting and was delightfully surprised by

his personality and charm. At one point durring the meeting, he told a " fat

joke " and chuckled....that's when he truly won my heart. So far, so good. He's

VERY explicit on after care, facts about the procedure, risks, and going to the

support group meetings. I do however, have doubt in the abilities of his staff.

I personally have had several situations that concerned me on their record

keeping, and not notifying me of tests & procedures that I was required to have

done before surgery. I've taken charge of my health care with this surgery, and

even though they may get tired of answering my questions, I'm not letting

anything slip by. CONFIRM EVERYTHING WITH DR. HESS'S OFFICE NO MATTER HOW SMALL!

Don't assume it's being taken care of.

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08/19/00

Becky G.

pixel@...

Grand Rapids, OH First off.. the information on this site about Dr. Hess

is inaccurate. He does not perform RnY type surgery. Dr. Hess has been doing

bariatric surgery for over 20 years. You can read his reports and information

about him on a site located at: http://www.duodenalswitch.com/ Meeting with him

was wonderful! His family is also there as part of his team. His wife works in

the office, his daughter and son are dr's and assist him. His life is dedicated

to HELPING us obese, morbidly obese and super obese people. I've met people who

have had surgery already, and they inspire me! I hope to have a new birthday

soon! Am scheduled for April 2, 2001 to have the doudenal switch surgery. I hope

to be sooner!!

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08/08/00

Jayne Kaman

JKAMAN1@...

Oak Harbor, OH He was wonderful. I am extremely confident that I'm in

very good hands; after all he is the 'father' of the Biliopancreatic Diversion

with a Duodenal Switch, and has been published on this subject. I have been in

the health care profession for the past 24 years (nurse) and after all my

research on the subject of weight loss, this is the only procedure that I feel

is right for me. The office staff is pleasant and does not rush you. There was

nothing that I found distasteful about my visit. There is a very strong emphasis

on aftercare and the need to attend the support group meetings as well as ALL of

your follow up visits to the office. He did address the surgical risks of the

procedure in a very up front manner. I would recommend Dr. Hess to anyone who is

contemplating this weight loss procedure and I would recommend the BPD/DS

procedure specifically. They are of equal importance; the skill level of the

surgon and his ability to calm and soothe the patient. The botom line is that

this is a very personal and life altering decision. It SHOULD NOT be entered

into without extensive thought as to the consequenses of ANY type of surgery as

well as extensive research into the procedure you have chosen. ASK QUESTIONS!!!

READ ANY AND ALL MATERIAL YOU CAN GET YOUR HANDS ON!! Talk to others who have

had the surgery you desire and who have had the surgeon you with to perform your

procedure.

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07/31/00

Cindi Kramer

CKr4655483@...

Fremont, OH I liked Dr. Hess from the very first time that I met him, he

was very open and up from about overweight and obesity, I didnt feel like I

should be ashamed of myself for being overweight. I didnt have any problems with

the office staff if I had to call in with a question they answered my questions.

I dont have any problems with Dr. Hess as of yet. You can tell when you talk to

Dr. Hess that he is concerned with the overweight patient. He stress's how

important it is to keep in touch with him after surgery and there are many ways

that you can do that after your first year of surgery. He has a meeting once a

month at Wood County Hospital and you weigh in and he tells how the surgery is

performed and the different types of bariatric surgery. He explains the risks

and the benefits as in helping diabetic patients and persons on blood pressure

medicine. Also, there is a question and answering period for new patients and

patients that have had the surgery. All in all I think that Dr. Hess is a great

Dr. and I am glad that I had the surgery done!

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07/20/00

Sue Burmeister

Burmie@...

Fremont, OH I liked Dr. Hess from the very start, he is very informative,

and takes his time to answer all your questions. I really didn't get much chance

to interact with the office staff yet, but what little I did they seemed very

nice. He emphasizes the after care very much. He especially talks alot about the

vitamins and things you will need to take after you are post op.

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03/31/00

Candy

sanfam@...

McClure, OH Dr.Hess was very thorough in his explanation of how he does

the surgery and why he does it this way. He is very busy,but if you ask him to

he will stop and take time to answer all your questions. The office staff is

very informed and can answer your questions. He stresses that you must take your

vitamins and have your lab work done at regular intervals. He was very upfront

about the possible complications from surgery. I would rate him as #1 in his

feild,although at times his bedside manner could be better.

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03/22/00

Carol Newman

cardarnew91@...

Lima, OH My first impression of Dr. Hess was good. He seemed very sincere

and knowledgeable. My impression hasn't really changed about Dr.Hess. His office

staff are overworked and the office is small. But generally, helpful. The office

visits (post-op) were very quick, he has alot of patients to see and is often

interrupted with phone calls and staff. I forgot alot of my questions! About the

office visits being rushed. They do emphasize about complications after surgery,

post op care and follow up. I did not think they stressed enough about how your

diet should be. He does see a pt after 1 week post-op and then 6 weeks, then 3

months,6 months and then your year check up. Yes, he did address all of the risk

due to surgery. Overall, I would rate him at a 8 in a scale from 1 to 10, 10

being the highest. The surgical competence is great, but beside manner is good,

but not great.

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09/18/99

JEFF RICHARDSON

GOING2BTHIN@...

LOVES PARK, IL I WAS REFEERED TO DR HESS BY SEVERAL OF HIS POST OP

PATIENTS. I HAVE BEEN TO HIS INFORMATIONAL MEETING AND HAVE TALKED WITH HIM AND

EVEN MORE PRE AND POST OP PATIENTS. HE WENT THROUGH THE SURGERY STEP BY STEP AND

ALOWED PLENTY OF TIME FOR QUESTIONS, BOTH IN THE GROUP SETTING AND LATER ONE ON

ONE. I CAME AWAY WITH MUCH MORE KNOWLEDGE AT NO EXPENSE TO ME. IN BEGINNING THE

PROCESS TO MOVE TOWARD THE SURGERY IT SELF, HE AND HIS STAFF HAVE BEEN VERY KIND

AND HELPFUL. IT IS ALSO GOOD TO KNOW THAT THESE MEETING ARE OPEN TO ME ON A

MONTHLY BASIS AFTER I HAVE MY SURGERY SO THAT I MAY APPROACH ANY CONCERNS OR

QUESTIONS NOT ONLY WITH DR HESS, BUT WITH OTHERS WHO MAY BE LIVING IT ALSO. SO

FAR ONLY A POSITVE EXPERIENCE, BUT IT IS STILL EARLY. I LET YOU KNOW HOW WELL HE

AND HIS STAFF KEEP UP.

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Pat Vanderveer

SVander363@...

Findlay, OH Forgot to post a comment.

Will someone please kindly remind Pat to come back to www.obesityhelp.com

to update her record and tell us about S. Hess M.D.?

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Sharon Ballard

skballard@...

Lacarne, Oh Forgot to post a comment.

Will someone please kindly remind Sharon to come back to

www.obesityhelp.com to update her record and tell us about S. Hess M.D.?

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rosalinda hernandez

linda9855@...

swanton, oh Forgot to post a comment.

Will someone please kindly remind rosalinda to come back to

www.obesityhelp.com to update her record and tell us about S. Hess M.D.?

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valerie vanbrussel

vvanb@...

bellevue, oh Forgot to post a comment.

Will someone please kindly remind valerie to come back to

www.obesityhelp.com to update her record and tell us about S. Hess M.D.?

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linda hernandea

toledo, oh Forgot to post a comment.

Will someone please kindly remind linda to come back to

www.obesityhelp.com to update her record and tell us about S. Hess M.D.?

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Lori Schroeder

slimbob@...

Leipsic, OH Forgot to post a comment.

Will someone please kindly remind Lori to come back to www.obesityhelp.com

to update her record and tell us about S. Hess M.D.?

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sheila j sizemore

shedolphin1@...

bryan, oh Forgot to post a comment.

Will someone please kindly remind sheila j to come back to

www.obesityhelp.com to update her record and tell us about S. Hess M.D.?

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Fair

Marlenak10@...

Sylvania, OH Forgot to post a comment.

Will someone please kindly remind to come back to www.obesityhelp.com

to update her record and tell us about S. Hess M.D.?

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White

giotto@...

sburg, OH Forgot to post a comment.

Will someone please kindly remind to come back to

www.obesityhelp.com to update her record and tell us about S. Hess M.D.?

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K

threesenuf@...

Ashtabula, OH Forgot to post a comment.

Will someone please kindly remind to come back to www.obesityhelp.com

to update her record and tell us about S. Hess M.D.?

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White

giotto@...

sburg, OH Forgot to post a comment.

Will someone please kindly remind to come back to

www.obesityhelp.com to update her record and tell us about S. Hess M.D.?

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Tony 'Dusty' Graber

dustytrails1@...

Plano, IL Forgot to post a comment.

Will someone please kindly remind Tony 'Dusty' to come back to

www.obesityhelp.com to update her record and tell us about S. Hess M.D.?

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karen pitchford

kmp2000@...

massillon, oh Forgot to post a comment.

Will someone please kindly remind karen to come back to

www.obesityhelp.com to update her record and tell us about S. Hess M.D.?

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