Guest guest Posted November 12, 2002 Report Share Posted November 12, 2002 Deb, This is a wonderful post. Perhaps you should send Al Roker the website for the grad list so he can see what we all go through long-term. This group has been the best education tool for many. Thank you for sharing his response. Martha H Hill Ca Response from Al Roker > Dear Friends: > Last week I took the initiative and sent an e-mail to Mr. Roker, > congratulating him on his tremendous success and thanking him for > speaking out on behalf of the WLS family. Imagine my surprise when I > logged on this evening and found a personal e-mail from him! Below > is a copy of my letter to Mr. Roker and his response... > > ********************************************************************* > on 11/5/02 4:28 PM, TheDebutante@... at TheDebutante@... > wrote: > > > Dear Mr. Roker: > Congratulations on your terrific weight loss and welcome to the > family of WLS patients. > I had my RNY (lap) surgery on October 11, 2000, and have lost 110% > of my excess weight. My surgeon was Dr. JK Champion in Atlanta, > Georgia, and I honestly feel that he saved my life. I am sure you > feel the same about your surgeon and that your results will be just > as dramatic! > I understand completely the need to keep quiet during the early > stages of post op life. We all have lost and regained too many times > in our lives for us to believe (without hesitation) that this surgery > will work. I did not tell anyone for an entire year and only then > did I tell when asked. I was blessed with anonymity and not in the > public spotlight; a major difference between us, I'm sure. > We share a surgery date of March 15, 2002, for that is the day I > had my plastic surgery to remove all of the excess skin that refused > to go away! Prior to plastics, the WLS took me from a size 26/28 to > a 12/14. Plastic surgery completed the downward spiral to a 4/6/8. > You will probably be facing such surgery once you reach your 18 month > post op mark; I swore I would never succumb to it, but vanity reared > it's ugly head! LOL > Thank you for coming out and telling your story. Obesity is very > rarely the result of laziness or overeating. The problem lies much > deeper and without surgery very few people can ever successfully lose > the weight and keep it off. The prejudice of the overweight is the > last " accepted " prejudice in our society and for too many years now > we have all been the recipients of cruel jokes, snide remarks, and > stares. To have someone of your stature in the public arena lends > such credence to our problem. Education of society is the key to > overcoming this stigma and the general public -- as well as insurance > companies -- need to understand that obesity is a disease and thus > needs to be treated as such. I would love for you to entertain the > idea of speaking on behalf of the WLS patients and the surgeons that > provide this life-changing surgery. And I would be more than happy > to help in any way possible. > Again, congratulations on your outstanding accomplishment and > continued best wishes for success during your " honeymoon " period. > > > Sincerely, > > Deborah M. > > > > > > > Dear Deb, > > Thank you for the e-mail about my weight loss surgery. And > congratulations on your success. I only wish I were as far out as > you! Isn't this journey amazing? > > I will not lie and tell you that this has all been a piece of cake > (bad pun!). For it has not. Fortunately, I had the loving support > of Deborah and that made my journey easier. > > I am including the text of my journal about this, and there's an > article in this week's People magazine. If you get a chance, watch > the Dateline special on Tuesday, November 11. > > Continued good luck with your post op life. If you are ever in the > New York City area, please stop by the studio and say " Hello " . I > would enjoy discussing postop life with you... > > Sunny Skies, > > Al Roker > > > > > Homepage: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG > > Unsubscribe: mailto:Graduate-OSSG-unsubscribe > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 12, 2002 Report Share Posted November 12, 2002 I wrote to Al Roker when I first noticed he was losing weight. He wrote a personal response and signed it Sunny Skies, Al. I do believe that he answers what he can. BTW, that was a great intervies on Dateline. I'm glad that they did not downplay the FACT that --this IS a MAJOR surgery. It was a nice change to NOT have to hear about " the easy way out. " I thought it was factual and well done! BARB B. > > I wrote Al as well and got a response back today . . .And it was > different from yours which leads me to believe that he is responding > to as many emails as he can personally. I was wondering if it was > just a " canned response " but judging by the differences in our return > emails I don't think so . . . I cut and pasted for you all to read as > well . . . > ) Vicki in CA > > Dear Vicki, > > Thank you for the e-mail about my weight loss surgery. > > I am including the text of my journal about this, and there's an > article > in this week's People magazine and a Dateline special on Tuesday, > November > 11. > > I wish you luck with your weight issues. > > Sunny Skies, > > Al Roker > > on 11/5/02 11:44 PM, HaaseVP@... at HaaseVP@... wrote: > > > No, you don't owe the world an explaination, and yes I understand how > you may not want to tell the world your going to lose weight because > you had surgery, when you failed at all other attempts to lose > weight . . . I've been there and thanks for coming " clean. " And > you are right and realistic . . . bottom line is eat less, or more > energy out than calories in. I am almost 4 years post op and I am > doing great. I lost 100% of my excess weight and have been > maintaining the loss for a little under a year (I lost slow and > steady). You seem to have been in the right place emotionally to > have the surgery and the same place to keep the weight off. Just > remember, whatever to do to lose the weight you have to do to keep > the weight off. Its nice to have a healthy future isn't it??? > ) Vicki in Ca > Barb B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 12, 2002 Report Share Posted November 12, 2002 Dear Friends: Last week I took the initiative and sent an e-mail to Mr. Roker, congratulating him on his tremendous success and thanking him for speaking out on behalf of the WLS family. Imagine my surprise when I logged on this evening and found a personal e-mail from him! Below is a copy of my letter to Mr. Roker and his response... ********************************************************************* on 11/5/02 4:28 PM, TheDebutante@... at TheDebutante@... wrote: Dear Mr. Roker: Congratulations on your terrific weight loss and welcome to the family of WLS patients. I had my RNY (lap) surgery on October 11, 2000, and have lost 110% of my excess weight. My surgeon was Dr. JK Champion in Atlanta, Georgia, and I honestly feel that he saved my life. I am sure you feel the same about your surgeon and that your results will be just as dramatic! I understand completely the need to keep quiet during the early stages of post op life. We all have lost and regained too many times in our lives for us to believe (without hesitation) that this surgery will work. I did not tell anyone for an entire year and only then did I tell when asked. I was blessed with anonymity and not in the public spotlight; a major difference between us, I'm sure. We share a surgery date of March 15, 2002, for that is the day I had my plastic surgery to remove all of the excess skin that refused to go away! Prior to plastics, the WLS took me from a size 26/28 to a 12/14. Plastic surgery completed the downward spiral to a 4/6/8. You will probably be facing such surgery once you reach your 18 month post op mark; I swore I would never succumb to it, but vanity reared it's ugly head! LOL Thank you for coming out and telling your story. Obesity is very rarely the result of laziness or overeating. The problem lies much deeper and without surgery very few people can ever successfully lose the weight and keep it off. The prejudice of the overweight is the last " accepted " prejudice in our society and for too many years now we have all been the recipients of cruel jokes, snide remarks, and stares. To have someone of your stature in the public arena lends such credence to our problem. Education of society is the key to overcoming this stigma and the general public -- as well as insurance companies -- need to understand that obesity is a disease and thus needs to be treated as such. I would love for you to entertain the idea of speaking on behalf of the WLS patients and the surgeons that provide this life-changing surgery. And I would be more than happy to help in any way possible. Again, congratulations on your outstanding accomplishment and continued best wishes for success during your " honeymoon " period. Sincerely, Deborah M. Dear Deb, Thank you for the e-mail about my weight loss surgery. And congratulations on your success. I only wish I were as far out as you! Isn't this journey amazing? I will not lie and tell you that this has all been a piece of cake (bad pun!). For it has not. Fortunately, I had the loving support of Deborah and that made my journey easier. I am including the text of my journal about this, and there's an article in this week's People magazine. If you get a chance, watch the Dateline special on Tuesday, November 11. Continued good luck with your post op life. If you are ever in the New York City area, please stop by the studio and say " Hello " . I would enjoy discussing postop life with you... Sunny Skies, Al Roker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 12, 2002 Report Share Posted November 12, 2002 I wrote Al as well and got a response back today . . .And it was different from yours which leads me to believe that he is responding to as many emails as he can personally. I was wondering if it was just a " canned response " but judging by the differences in our return emails I don't think so . . . I cut and pasted for you all to read as well . . . ) Vicki in CA Dear Vicki, Thank you for the e-mail about my weight loss surgery. I am including the text of my journal about this, and there's an article in this week's People magazine and a Dateline special on Tuesday, November 11. I wish you luck with your weight issues. Sunny Skies, Al Roker on 11/5/02 11:44 PM, HaaseVP@... at HaaseVP@... wrote: No, you don't owe the world an explaination, and yes I understand how you may not want to tell the world your going to lose weight because you had surgery, when you failed at all other attempts to lose weight . . . I've been there and thanks for coming " clean. " And you are right and realistic . . . bottom line is eat less, or more energy out than calories in. I am almost 4 years post op and I am doing great. I lost 100% of my excess weight and have been maintaining the loss for a little under a year (I lost slow and steady). You seem to have been in the right place emotionally to have the surgery and the same place to keep the weight off. Just remember, whatever to do to lose the weight you have to do to keep the weight off. Its nice to have a healthy future isn't it??? ) Vicki in Ca > > > Dear Mr. Roker: > Congratulations on your terrific weight loss and welcome to the > family of WLS patients. > I had my RNY (lap) surgery on October 11, 2000, and have lost 110% > of my excess weight. My surgeon was Dr. JK Champion in Atlanta, > Georgia, and I honestly feel that he saved my life. I am sure you > feel the same about your surgeon and that your results will be just > as dramatic! > I understand completely the need to keep quiet during the early > stages of post op life. We all have lost and regained too many times > in our lives for us to believe (without hesitation) that this surgery > will work. I did not tell anyone for an entire year and only then > did I tell when asked. I was blessed with anonymity and not in the > public spotlight; a major difference between us, I'm sure. > We share a surgery date of March 15, 2002, for that is the day I > had my plastic surgery to remove all of the excess skin that refused > to go away! Prior to plastics, the WLS took me from a size 26/28 to > a 12/14. Plastic surgery completed the downward spiral to a 4/6/8. > You will probably be facing such surgery once you reach your 18 month > post op mark; I swore I would never succumb to it, but vanity reared > it's ugly head! LOL > Thank you for coming out and telling your story. Obesity is very > rarely the result of laziness or overeating. The problem lies much > deeper and without surgery very few people can ever successfully lose > the weight and keep it off. The prejudice of the overweight is the > last " accepted " prejudice in our society and for too many years now > we have all been the recipients of cruel jokes, snide remarks, and > stares. To have someone of your stature in the public arena lends > such credence to our problem. Education of society is the key to > overcoming this stigma and the general public -- as well as insurance > companies -- need to understand that obesity is a disease and thus > needs to be treated as such. I would love for you to entertain the > idea of speaking on behalf of the WLS patients and the surgeons that > provide this life-changing surgery. And I would be more than happy > to help in any way possible. > Again, congratulations on your outstanding accomplishment and > continued best wishes for success during your " honeymoon " period. > > > Sincerely, > > Deborah M. > > > > > > > Dear Deb, > > Thank you for the e-mail about my weight loss surgery. And > congratulations on your success. I only wish I were as far out as > you! Isn't this journey amazing? > > I will not lie and tell you that this has all been a piece of cake > (bad pun!). For it has not. Fortunately, I had the loving support > of Deborah and that made my journey easier. > > I am including the text of my journal about this, and there's an > article in this week's People magazine. If you get a chance, watch > the Dateline special on Tuesday, November 11. > > Continued good luck with your post op life. If you are ever in the > New York City area, please stop by the studio and say " Hello " . I > would enjoy discussing postop life with you... > > Sunny Skies, > > Al Roker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 13, 2002 Report Share Posted November 13, 2002 Deb, What a great letter you wrote! And, what a nice response from him. BTW, if you ever plan on visiting NYC, you must let us know so we can arrange a NYC get-together. We could all try to visit the Today show, but we'd probably scare poor Al off! Then again, you never know. LOL I wonder if he's on this list. ) in NJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 13, 2002 Report Share Posted November 13, 2002 In a message dated 11/13/2002 10:10:52 AM Eastern Standard Time, BandonBarb@... writes: > BTW, that was a great intervies on Dateline. > I'm glad that they did not downplay the FACT that --this IS a MAJOR > surgery. > It was a nice change to NOT have to hear about " the easy way out. " I > thought > it was factual and well done! > BARB B. *********************************** I agree. He is, obviously, still in the honeymoon phase, but those positive feelings are indicative of returning good health...that's what it's all about. I hope he finds his way to this list eventually, if he hasn't already. in NJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 13, 2002 Report Share Posted November 13, 2002 In a message dated 11/13/2002 10:10:52 AM Eastern Standard Time, BandonBarb@... writes: > BTW, that was a great intervies on Dateline. > I'm glad that they did not downplay the FACT that --this IS a MAJOR > surgery. > It was a nice change to NOT have to hear about " the easy way out. " I > thought > it was factual and well done! > BARB B. *********************************** I agree. He is, obviously, still in the honeymoon phase, but those positive feelings are indicative of returning good health...that's what it's all about. I hope he finds his way to this list eventually, if he hasn't already. in NJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 13, 2002 Report Share Posted November 13, 2002 In a message dated 11/13/2002 10:10:52 AM Eastern Standard Time, BandonBarb@... writes: > BTW, that was a great intervies on Dateline. > I'm glad that they did not downplay the FACT that --this IS a MAJOR > surgery. > It was a nice change to NOT have to hear about " the easy way out. " I > thought > it was factual and well done! > BARB B. *********************************** I agree. He is, obviously, still in the honeymoon phase, but those positive feelings are indicative of returning good health...that's what it's all about. I hope he finds his way to this list eventually, if he hasn't already. in NJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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