Re: Fibbing about how we lose weight -

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 11/1/2001 2:34:31 PM Pacific Standard Time,

sage@... writes:

> I am really unclear as to why so many people have a hard time talking to

> others about their surgery. I talk about it to anyone who is interested.

> I

> haven't been shunned, stoned, or discriminated against in any way.

>

Nick...I completely feel the same as you have stated...a few have lost

interest when I say surgery so I shut up...but I've had a huge response and

alot of positive things from others...and because I share several others are

now going thru this and will get their lifes back...

~*~ AJ ~*~

Age 37 5'8'' Post op 7/24/01 Open DS

self pay - Dr Baltasar -Alcoy Spain

07/24/01 BMI 64 415.1

08/24/01 BMI 58 386.5 -28.6 lbs!

09/24/01 BMI 55.8 367.1 -48.0 lbs! -37.75 inches

10/24/01 BMI 52.6 346.0 -69.1 lbs!

11/01/01 BMI 51.6 339.0 -76.1lbs! -62 inches

My profile:

http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/profile.phtml?N=E982002956

My website:

www.wls4aj.homestead.com

www.wlsbellingham.homestead.com

[Guest guest]

Sometimes I am not in an appropriate environment to discuss it. Then I tell

them that it is a long story and when we have time to talk I will give them

the whole story.

Or if it is someone who in no way would qualify for surgery and I don't want

to lie, but I don't feel a need to divulge all of my personal information I

will say, " I have been working with a doctor and he only works with people

who have A LOT of weight to lose. "

Dawn--South Suburban Chicago area

Dr. Hess, Bowling Green, OH

BPD/DS

4/27/00

www.duodenalswitch.com

267 to 165 5' 4 "

size 22 to size 10

have made size goal

no more high blood pressure, sore feet, or dieting

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 11/01/2001 5:46:26 PM Central Standard Time,

andem4@... writes:

> As for my neighbors, I didn't really feel like stopping my kids

> from enjoying Halloween to talk about my surgery. I figure next time

> I see some of them I will explain a little more about what I did.

>

>

I too don't like to continually go into details in front of my kids. My kids

know I have had the surgery (not initially but now they do), but in wanting

to keep their lives free of " diet " and " weight " issues, I don't want my

losing weight and such to be a constant conversation around them. So that is

especially when I tell people that I will tell them all about it some time

when we have more time. I did not tell anyone about my surgery until I was

one year out and happy and healthy. I did make a mental note of everyone

that had asked me how I lost weight before this and I think I have gotten

back to everyone now and told them about the surgery. But even when I wasn't

tell about the surgery, I discussed concepts that are in Overcoming

Overeating, Seven Habits of Slim People, Breaking Free, etc. and talked about

he evils of dieting.

Dawn--South Suburban Chicago area

Dr. Hess, Bowling Green, OH

BPD/DS

4/27/00

www.duodenalswitch.com

267 to 165 5' 4 "

size 22 to size 10

have made size goal

no more high blood pressure, sore feet, or dieting

[Guest guest]

I am really unclear as to why so many people have a hard time talking to

others about their surgery. I talk about it to anyone who is interested.

Me too, Nick! If someone had surgery and told me they dieted when I was

hungry for any information on getting the weight off quickly and permanently

I would be very disappointed to think " one more diet " when we all know they

do not work long term.

I share with anyone who wants to know......anyone! And even some who have

no idea....

Judie

[Guest guest]

Nick,

I have to agree with you. If anyone is interested enough to ask how I lost

the weight, I am more than willing to tell them. I am very happy with my

decision and would like others to share my joy. I have had nothing but

positive responses and total support. I was concerned that I would have

some negative from my family in the beginning (2 siblings are doctors and

skinny). The people who know me and care about me are happy for me that

this surgery is available.

I was concerned about telling the people at work, but the HR person blabbed,

so everyone at work knew beforehand. It actuallly helped me because they to

were so very supportive. They are always encouraging and checking on my

progress.

I have several friends that I feel would benefit from surgery, so I have

told them about mine. I am always careful not to push them as they will

have to make their own decisions. They may not want surgery or are not yet

at the point where they are disgusted enough (as I was) to pursue such a

" drastic " measure. Each person much make his or her own decision, but I

don't mind being the one who plants the seed to lead someone in that

direction.

M. in KC

BPD/DS Aug 28, 2001

Down 52 pounds to date

Fibbing about how we lose weight -

If people are possibly in need of surgery themselves and ask you how you are

going about losing weight, it is a bit unfair to tell them that it is

because you are eating carefully and exercising.

I can tell you this from experience. I have a friend who I had not seen in

some time who lost a bunch of weight and kept it off. I asked her and got

the same answer that many of us give about the diet and exercise. I was

disappointed because I wanted to know about her experience and I know durn

good and well that she had surgery.

I am really unclear as to why so many people have a hard time talking to

others about their surgery. I talk about it to anyone who is interested. I

haven't been shunned, stoned, or discriminated against in any way.

Best -

Nick in Sage

----------------------------------------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Part of the problem I had initially was that I didn't want a lot of

people questioning my decision right after my surgery when I needed

support the most. Now that a few months have past I am changing my

mind a little about it. I have a co-worker who I know could use

surgery and I have been trying to get in touch with him for the last

few days. As soon as I get the chance, I will talk to him about what

I did. The people I tend to keep it from are the ones that I don't

really know and who obviously don't need surgery. All of my family

knows and all my closer friends know. Everyone I have told is very

supportive, but I know there are some people at work that would use

it against me. I am a female in a mostly male area that is run by

all men. Some of the men at work see me as a threat and think I will

get better opportunities because of being a woman. Never mind all

the hard work I have done or the time I spent getting my masters

degree. Sometimes I have to work twice as hard to get half the

recognition. Not everyone is that way, but there are a few who have

tried to sabotage my advancement. I know of one person in particular

that was complaining to management that I wasn't putting in my full

work day. Little did this person know that I come in at 6:00 am so

my full day ends much sooner than his. He has always been a back

stabber to many people and I wouldn't trust him farther than I could

throw him. He is very nosey and has been inquiring about my health,

etc. As for my neighbors, I didn't really feel like stopping my kids

from enjoying Halloween to talk about my surgery. I figure next time

I see some of them I will explain a little more about what I did.

I know most people would be very supportive and there are some that

could use surgery themselves. I do want to help these people and I

hope I can help educate others about the process as well.

Kathy M.

[Guest guest]

At 2:30 PM -0800 11/1/01, Nick wrote:

>...

>I am really unclear as to why so many people have a hard time talking to

>others about their surgery. I talk about it to anyone who is interested. I

>haven't been shunned, stoned, or discriminated against in any way.

Nick,

Maybe it's because you and I are males over 60. We just don't give a

damn what people think about what we do with out lives. But,

younger, more sensitive people might worry.

--Steve

--

[Guest guest]

>

> Maybe it's because you and I are males over 60. We just don't give a

> damn what people think about what we do with out lives. But,

> younger, more sensitive people might worry.

>

> --Steve>>>>>>>

Thats one of the blessings of getting older, Steve......Mike thinks the same

way......Im getting there LOL

Judie =)

[Guest guest]

I had not seen my brother in several years. When I saw him after my surgery

he confided that he had been fearing getting a phone call for years that I

had dropped dead. He went on and on as to relieved he was that he no longer

would have to worry because the surgery had saved my life.

I don't say this to validate the science behind his statement, but to show

that sometimes people are a lot more sensitive than you expect. BTW, my

brother's BMI must be somewhere in the low 20's, so he has no concept about

being MO.

Best,

Nick in Sage

[Guest guest]

I just want to clarify-if someone who is MO asks me I will tell them about my

surgery. I don't tell people who have 5 or 10 pounds to lose and I don't

really know them. I will help everyone that is MO and discuss this surgery

but I am selective. Ellen(Pam