Ya can't win em ALL!! (looong!)

What a great provocative topic this story has become. I could certainly see myself becoming a crusader for wls but its a very personal thing and I sure can't imagine going up to complete strangers and handing them a vsg chart. But I am very open about my surgery and when people comment about how much weight i have lost i tell them what i did. The only person I sought out and brought up the subject with unsoicited was my brother and he is proceeding toward vsg now.

I do feel its important for us to take any opportunities that might arise to educate people. Two years ago I first heard of vsg at Cirangle's program. Had no idea there was such a thing. Thought there was only by pass and band and went to seminar with band in mind. My internist had discouraged me from wls because she had provided hospital care for a number of people with complications from a surgeon in our small town. So I went forward on my own when i saw the lap sf ad thinking i would just get free info and lo and behold, found the expert. So in our rural area I do share my story with people who seem interested. Got my dental hygenist to come to a lapsf program and others and at the seminars i show newbies my "before" pic and even my tiny scars. Deep down, its really a form of self affirmation as for over 50 years I was overweight and could never keep weight off no matter what I did. I finally just gave up dieting and tried to accept my weight but it kept creeping up and started to cause me  health problems. So I now know that I just never had the right medical advice all those years and that this is the only potential solution to my weight issue. There are others out there in the same boat and when someone seems curious, I expound. Not everybody is comfortable in talking about this and thats ok, but those of us that are I think are doing a good deed by doing so even if you get the occasional dope like Jimbo did. The next one may be different and you may save someone's life.

Frisco, my husband has been told by several physicians he should consider wls but he still thinks he can do it on his own. He loses 50 pounds and then gains it back. He has seen my success and how easy and comfortable my surgical experience was. I don't nag him as thats no good but I really wish he would do this before he finds himself with a serious health problem. I think I will share your post with him as a "non-nag".

Anyway, great topic Jimbo. Keep going to starbucks for the entertainment value!    Diane

I would never go up to someone and broach the subject....but I let people know when asked.  Or when regarding questions on my diet. why i drink protein drinks etc.  I have had a direct impact on 3 people...and counting! ( 2 at work and 1 at my old gym all are in the approval process for WLS)  I don't know how many people I   "persuade"  at the support groups I attend .....but several who were on the fence are now looking into VSG....or have had it!  Many tell me after the meeting of their new choice!  I am always mindful that the VSG is not for everyone.    I always state that one must be "self aware" of how they became obese, eating habits.....medical issues etc.  and make their own decision on that basis.....not cause someone has done well W/ a certain procedure......we are ALL unique even W/ the same procedure!  At one time and still (in one of my support groups I was the ONLY VSGer!)  Now I am noticing a "shift" in the #'s.   As M.S. says......"it's a good thing!"

Well, everyone in my life knows about my surgery and I have a brother that weighs probably in the neighborhood of 425 - 475.  He just says no way would he ever consider anything that "drastic".  So, I'm the crazy one I guess, who went and had the majority of an organ cut out.  Even my 29 year old daughter weighs in at 250 and she just says she could not imagine living the life of deprivation that I do.  Well, I don't feel deprived at all. I eat fun things...just not every damned day like I used to.  I actually appreciate food more now and things taste better because I'm not indiscriminately shoveling crap in my pie hole.  I take time to savor.  I would never stand in a line and eat a cookie like that lady...not anymore.  I would wait and sit down and sip the coffee and take small bites of that dang cookie, enjoying every bite. 

That woman just can't face her own behavior.  Bull **** if she doesn't eat that way often...she wouldn't be 50lbs overweight if she didn't.

Laura

 I'm in the same boat....3 of my sibs are MO...one is SMO!  I hope the SMO will choose WLS to change his life.....doesn't look like it will,    I realize everyone has to hit their "rock bottom" before they will make a significant change.   Some will never hit a "rock bottom" or maybe that is death!  Sad but the nature of most self-destructive/addictive behaviors..

 My brother and his wife are vegan, they used to be really snotty about it but are getting better. That said they are both very very very overweight. They fry everything… including their tofu and live on pastas and such. They always tell us all at family get togethers that "humans were not meant to eat meat" and go on to say they are healthier as they pile in whole bags of pasta and fake butter. My husband always tells them "well if your so die-hard pull out your k-9s" haha. I have a good friend who is vegan on the other hand and eats very healthy foods and is thin… Some people are just stupid and cant hear what you're saying and rather hear what they think you're saying. 
I tell everyone about WLS.. and when I say everyone.. I mean it.. My mail lady knows, the hair dresser and like everyone who works here at the salon, all my clients, friends, everyone on my FB page. I even told the guy I buy my shoes from lol hahha I wish someone had told me sooner.. so I share. I am not embarrassed by it and feel like I should not have to live a lie.. I wanna live in the truth and shout it form the rooftop baby!