June 25th Fun Day

I gotcha, totally understand where you are coming from. I didn't know if there was something going on with the event that I was unaware of.

So are you guys saying the OH event is something that is more relevent to pre-ops? It just seems there is so little interest in it.

NOT AT ALL, the event sounds like it is for anyone (pre or post-op) and I definitely think if anyone is interested in attending to find support, share ideas, get info, etc...they should go! I have never attended an OH.com function so my choice has NOTHING to do with the event itself, my choice to not participate is completely based on where I am in my head with my own surgery progress right now. Actually, I probably would have attended it up until a few months ago. Please keep in mind that I was 432lbs less than a year ago (250lb and 5'10 today) and so many people are focused on my weightloss (not me as a person) that sometimes I kind of feel overshadowed by my success. I have struggled with the compliments and comments since the beginning and am working on that and my body image issues right now. I cant explain it on the board in a message and I have discussed this with others who are close to goal or have lost as much as me or more and I know this is pretty common. so I know I havent completely lost it . I just have no desire to be discussing WLS for days right now. Again this is a personal decision based on my own demons/insecurities right now, it has NOTHING to do with the event. Sorry if that was misinterpreted. Amy !

Amy- Thank you for your candid answer. I am sorry if I put you on the spot. I was just curious. I can not attend either event since I am not driving these days due to some health issues. However, I believe I understand. At some point you will need to leave the image of the MO person behind if you are going to continue to grow and move on with your life. That does not mean you are selfish or that you can not continue to be supportive of pre-ops and your post-op peers. But you will probably want to move into that world that is not obsessed with with weight, and scales and food, and supplements, and all of those things. I would imagine that is the world in which you wanted to live. After all isn't that is why you had the surgery in the first place. Red

I attended the event in DC and I thought getting together and meeting others who had been through a similar experience to me was great. Sort of what the meet and greets do to. It was really awesome to get together with everybody--the event itself, I could take it or leave it. It just seems silly you guys are planning a get together at the same time as the event is going on. The best part of the events are the b&a get togethers. Just my two cents.

I vote for a pool party/ BBQ since I will be jsut coming out of surg.

all the ideas sound like such fun . i really enjoyed the m&g and look forward to doing any of the things suggested . tina -140 lbs

I miss the last last m&g but I would love to partipate I have Disney, Cpyruss garden, and Seaworld, and Bush Garden . The pool is a cool idea also.

Due to financial reasons I was thinking of not attending the OH event nor anyof the parks though I love to walk & ride them alll I think the BBQ and pool sounds like a "swimming" idea. I'd love to come. I need to have some time off due to job related stress.

As far as Omar and I not attending the event there are a few reasons for our decision. The first being we could use the $80 for something else. Second, Omar is 2 years post-op and he just isn't in the frame of mind anymore for seminars and such. I can understand how he feels. So, we just decided not to attend and try to have or own "fun day". It looks as if we will probably be doing the cookout/swimming. I have to talk to my brother yet though. Those of you attending the OH seminar please have fun. Sincerely, Dawn Post-Op 9/23/04 339/263/200