Colorado Ball or Worship Service?

Yes, I went to the ball last night...and was the only one around not genuflecting at the altar of the surgeon in whose honor the ball was held! The invitation...from an OH person who lives in TN...said it was open to everyone. NOT!! It was a lovely idea, having a ball for all the WLs patients...we need to do more things that are fun. And how many of us missed our prom or never go out dancing anymore? They have started 13 new support groups all over the Denver area. What a terrific idea! I thought ObesityHelp.com was for all of us...no matter who our surgeon was. But apparently not. In Colorado, this one doctor runs, and is supported by, ObesityHelp.com. I wrote in to attend the ball 2 weeks ahead of the event...and nobody had the courtesy to answer my several emails. Open to all? Not hardly! They gladly took our money at the door however. Money, by the way, we were told were going to pay for the support groups all over town. If I'd known that beforehand I would not have been there! The support groups are free to the members...a great idea but at what a price! Groups who are self-supporting do not have to promote any sponsor's products and practices. I think I'd rather pay a nominal fee occasionally to go to a support group where I feel free to take or leave the information presented. I went out, dressed up, excited to go out dancing for the first time in ages..and ended up being surrounded by people praising one surgeon to the skies. What a disappointment. What is it with ObesityHelp.com? I'm flat done with it! I had no idea it's purpose was to promote worship services for one doctor in a state. Adios!!!

If it was the ball for Dr. S I refused to go. I am his patient but am not happy with him lately. did you have a nice time though? I agree to the support meetiung should be free. If you want email me privatly and let me know what the ball was like? Hugs, Michelle

I too sent e-mails asking if it was open to all WLS patients. I did not use the doctor in question (I am a proud patient of Dr. Brown in Denver!!) But I got no response, so my wife and I did not go... From the sounds of it, maybe it is a good thing. Thanks for the update!! /Hugs William (RNY - 09/20/04 - 372/268/191) "Don't be afraid your life will end; be afraid that it will never begin."

Life really is not so much what happens to us, but how we view it and react to it. Saturday evening was a wonderful occasion for so many 300 or so anyway. Why didn't you just cut your losses by either not attending or after seeing this was not your cup of tea, go to the head table and ask to be refunded. I know that it was never the intent of anyone to have you so distressed over a few hour period. Ralph Lewis A Most Happy Gala Participant

I am also glad that we decided not to attend, it sounds like a one way support meeting to me. IMHO. kris -103!