Daily Post--7/18/08

Do you approach people you haven't seen since before your surgery even though you know they won't recognize you? What do you say to them?

No..I am definitely NOT a people person...I would not approach anyone first...not in my nature..but if they approached me - that is another matter entirely.

Yes, I approach them, and I just say hi and see where the conversation takes us. If they don't recognize me, I tell them who I am. It's just been a good laugh and a Wow in the past when that has happened.

A couple of months ago, I was walking through a department store when I saw a guy I used to work with, years ago. This guy is pretty scary looking, but I knew him well, and knew he was a big teddy bear. Unfortunately, I forgot two things; I had lost nearly 200 pounds since he saw me last, and he had had a motorcycle accident that caused memory loss! As he passed me in the aisle, I reached out and smacked him in the arm - a perfectly normal thing for me to do, but he reeled back and stared me down - as if I'd pointed a gun at him or something! Once I spoke and called him by name, he calmed down and I re-introduced myself, but since then, I've been more careful about who I approach and how I do it!!!

Yes I have. If they say something, I thank them for the compliment, if they don't no big deal. I hope I haven't changed in that capacity. I want to stay the same person(ality) I was before surgery.

Everyone always recognizes me. I run into people I haven't seen since grade school (45 years ago) and they still know me! So no matter how much weight I have lost, everyone still knows me.

Once...I saw my ex-husband outside and stopped. He looked at me rather confused then said can I help you? When I said hello he knew who I was immediately and ws just flabbergasted. All he could say was Holy S***. He must have said it 10 times in the 2 minutes I was there. Made me feel good...jerk.

I haven't had anybody not recognize me, but I think it would be fun. Jules

I do approach people I haven't seen in a while (but it's been almost 6 years since my WLS). Sometimes I ask them if they remember me and sometimes I just introduce myself and it clicks... It is funny when they realize.... Sheryl

So far I have not had the opportunity to approach anyone who does not know. If I go back to my mom's then I will see people who do not know, and will of course approach them.