I must be a good example.

Last week my sister and bro-in-law attended an orientation session for WLS. Today, my Mom called and said her primary care pyhsician had referred her for surgery, and her insurance company had approved her for pre-op testing. I couldn't be happier for all of them. Now if I could only get my Dad to buy into it- I'd be exstatic. Of course these are the same people who tried to talk me out of WLS last spring : because my Dad's sister had her stomach stapled in the '70's and almost died from it. I'm glad, because of me (humble aren't I), they've found the courage to pursue this life-changing (LIFE-SAVING) surgery as well. Has any other A- teamers surgerical experience influenced someone close to you to consider WLS? Please share. I feel like we're ambassadors of thin-livin' now. Love it. DD

Ohh that is great that everyone sees you as a positive role model...I think that this is great.....

My mom and my sister both had RNY last year - they actually influenced me. Having them for advice and support has been priceless. Its amazing to see our once really fat family move around as these now skinny beings - watching a family get together is pretty bizzare - where did the food go? It is by far the best thing we all could have done...

Did you hear on the news this morning that researchers are saying that people might "catch" obesity from other people? They also said the opposite...that people can "catch" becoming thin from other people. They said it works with relatives and friends. Hmm...seems as if some of your relatives are "catching" WLS from you. Obviously you're an inspiration! I have one friend who is considering WLS now, and another who is on a different weight-loss program but tells me she can't wait to catch up (down?) with me. I guess we are ambassadors...I am not being quiet about my surgery. I tell waiters who question why I don't want a glass of water with my meal, I tell the people at the gym, of course I tell my friends and my family...any time the topic can be broached I broach it. I want to educate people about it. Cool. Marcia

This surgery is a life saver and will bring many more years to you and your mom Yes people do die from surgery and complications do arise but life has no warrenty.When people said it was risky I said u know I could also die from a car accident my odds r higher dying from a car accident then surgery. Before I had surgery I went threw a battery of tests tredmill ,EKG Abdominal ultrasound, pulmonary function test, sleep apnea, chest x ray. upper GI ,pap smear all blood test for any diseases and smack panel 500 .. and a dental screening Why? becasue I was 48 older than most people having weight loss surgery.. So i assure u your mom will get a complete work up and if she does not find another doc .. I know Your dad is very worried but when my hubby had the RNY the doc told him with all his co morbities he had more chances dying from obesity than u do from surgery it was then and there he knew it was the right choice .. Aug 29 will be his one year mark and he is living not dying.. has lost over 120 lbs and all his co morbities r gone.. he had a tough road than most but would he do it again heck yes .. he does still vomit when eating meat and has a stricture and small ulcer but he has no sugar dumping. Would I do it again heck yes.. Wish your Mom the best outcome hugs Lisa

I think it's great your family is getting healthier because of you. I feel your pain about your aunt I have a cousin who had surgery in the '70's too and is now well over 400lbs still. But I have seen this women eat and my mom said she never stopped eating like that after her surgery. She kept eating like she always did and would vomit then eat again. I hear things like if you eat that you're going to end up like peggy did etc and it seriously ****** me off. I hope once your mom and sister have it done your dad see's how great it can be.

Wow, did you ever imagine you would be a WLS poster boy? Good for you for being such a positive role model. My boyfriend was very anti-WLS, but he is now admitting that it's done great things for me and it wouldn't totally be out of the question for him. I have a friend who is as large as I was pre-surgery, who has always been very adamant about being anti-surgery, but she is now starting to reconsider her opinion, based on how well I've done.

I was very quiet about my surgery beforehand. Now that I am over halfway to goal, I share it with some people. I am selective about it. These are people who need good info or are ones I trust. Since I was the only obese person in my family, I have not inspired them that way. However, my hubby has lost about 40 lbs and is almost at his High School weight. WOW for him. Since we eat different, it made it very easy for the pounds to drop off. I just get tired of hearing about all the people who gained all their weight back or died. Why is it always those stories that you hear from the uninformed? Who knows, I might inspire someone else. We will see.

DD - Congratulations for being such a great role model. Not only is your family sharing in your success, they want to just like you. Imagine all the mini-DD's running around in a year or so. I've had two ladies in the office talk to me about the surgery and are very interested...so we'll see. Another 2 ladies in the office joined the W****chers are Work program. We all go to lunch frequently and they clean their plates and I eat a little bit and box the rest up. One of them told me the other day that they were going to start doing like I do...eat a smaller portion and then box the rest or at the least start sharing the meal vs. ordering 2 separate meals. Since I consider them my 'skinny' friends anyway, it's nice to know that I'm having a positive impact on them too!!!

I've inspired a really sweet lady I work with to look into WLS. She took the time to share her trials with me, and seems to be going through the same things I went through before surgery. I feel like she's going to be a really good friend. It's a really nice feeling to share with her. Yep - things have evolved in surgery in 30 years - thankfully - for us all... good for you to influence your family. I'm hoping for the same for mine. My "litttle sister" is asking a lot of questions about it and hoping her next job will have insurance that covers it. So I'd say she's paying attention - even though she hasn't seen me physically. I guess she can hear it in my voice. (NE to AZ) HA!