Question:
The Local newspaper in my town wants to follow me through surgery .

I am still pre-op and Will have surgery July 7th.The local paper here wants to do a story of my weight loss beginning with pre-op testing and follow it through skin removal. The health reporter wil do a story every month in the health section. She feels that this will be very news-worthy as Carnie wilson has been in the news and this surgery has gotten some exposure. I have not hid this surgery from anyone and gladly tell people what I am about to do. I did commercials for Nutri -System for 7 months 3 years ago.But my problem is , is this going to be different,once I agree to do this I am obligated to it,and cannot back out. I know that there are hundreds of people here that are not aware that this is an option.I would lke to do this but don't want to regret this after surgery. any one go through any thing like this, and what were your feeling    — STAR W. (posted on June 10, 2000)

June 10, 2000
Although I have never had a newspaper follow my surgery I would welcome the chance to share what I went through. The surgery has been a blessing for me and I have lost a tremendous amount of weight. Besides that i hsve gained a new found sense of purpose. you may feel frightened remeber there are people in this group that can help. Feel free to call on us. Many of us have had the same experiences with surgery even though we might be men or women. Feel free to email with questions, concerns etc.
   — snicklefritz

June 10, 2000
Star, How great this is going to be. What a support group you are going to have. This should give some of us regular people the added exposure that is needed. And maybe other people the courage to try what some are doing or have done. GOOD LUCK and BEST WISHES ALWAYS!! Colleen Kubat
   — Colleen K.

June 10, 2000
This sounds on the surface like it would be great but I've seen some very bad experiences with similar situations. I'd caution you to proceed only if you can stop anytime you feel you need to and if you have your entire family's wholehearted support in it. Sure it would be great to get out the positive side of this surgery but your privacy is much more important in a time when you are engaged in such a serious private process. Support is critical now and public intrusion is likely to be very uncomfortable. What if, God forbid!, you have some difficulties....Will they go away if you want them to? Once they have started? Or will they then adopt an agenda of generalizing from your difficulty to smear the process for all in your community? I guess it's obvious that I don't trust them. But experience is a hard teacher. Newspapers are notoriously manipulative and untrustworthy. They aren't out to tell the truth, they are out to SELL papers. I say tell them all about it later... once you are well and feel strong enough. Now is a time to be self protective. Good Luck whatever you decide. Carol in Philly
   — Carol M.

June 10, 2000
I would be very cautious about the integrity of the reporter. You may want to tell your story to the world in a positive way, but she may not report it like that. If possible, ask her for references - people who she has done stories on. As far as you not being able to back out - if she isn't being fair or truthful, those are very good reasons to quit.
   — Paula G.

June 10, 2000
Hi Star.. Although I respect Paula Green very much and her answers are always thought through and helpful, I have to say that if it were me, I would seize the moment and get my story told. The reason I say this is because so many people are so ignorant about this surgery. They don't know the first thing about it and you now have the opportunity to enlighten people about it. I wouldn't stop at just the surgery. I would make sure that this reporter told the true story about the struggles of all with the insurance companies, the prejudice of people towards large people etc. I would insist on editing priviledges to an extent. This way, your first write up can be about all of the above and not just about the surgery itself. Tell her that she is coming in on the easy end of things and that just getting this surgery was a trial for you. This should be the first article I think. On another site, I have begun to advocate for the unfortunate people who are being turned down by insurance companies and this is the opportunity of a lifetime. What I wouldn't give now for someone to want to write my story! I honestly had no problem with insurance but I still feel that it's still my obligation to help those who do. I hate the descrimination in all forms that we large and formerly large people have had to endure. On the other hand, I, like Paula, agree that there should be some method to back out of this. Make sure that there is a clause in there for YOU. You will go through some depression possibly, or possibly, (heaven forbid) some complications, and at that time I wouldn't want a reporter in my life. You have inspired me to call my local paper and see if a story might interest them. I wish you luck and love and whatever decision you make, make it for YOUR best interests. Barbara 6/99-280 6/00-116 BPD/DS
   — BARBARA R.

June 10, 2000
Star - I don't believe in regrets - whatever decision you make will be the RIGHT one. (If YOU choose it, how can it be wrong?!!!). I did want to tell you about a friend of mine; his local paper was going to follow him in their weekly Sunday magazine and met with him pre-op. He had alot of anxiety up thru surgery - and this seemed to add to the pressure and tension for him. (plus the wacky doc that was to perform the surgery took him off meds pre op, which really didn't work). He walked out on the morning or surgery. (He does have a new doc and is doing wonderfully, surgery rescheduled, etc). Can you handle the added pressure? I imagine it might get a little intimate - would you be comfortable publicly discussing complications? hygiene? etc? Please keep us posted with your decision - and of course we want to see any articles, if you decide to go forward.
   — Toni B.