Question:
How can I encourage my sister to consider surgery?

What help is available to a family member to get help for someone who doesn't want it? My sister is 50 years old, 400 lbs, holds a top management job that requires much traveling. I've seen her life shrink over the years. I now worry about her dying. I don't want to lose her. She has difficulty walking now (shortness of breath, arthritis in her feet, pain in knees, hips) and her job requires that she does a lot of it on trips. What can I do to help her quality of life? I've heard of interventions that families can have for alcoholic members where each member confronts the person and tells how much they mean to them. My sister has cut off other family memebers, my aunt and uncle, who have mentioned her weight. She hasn't talked to them for 10 years. Should I send away for all the information available on morbid obesity and present it to her? Should I just let it go and try to make her life as easy as possible? I now clean her apartment, do her grocery shopping and go on any errands I can for her. I need help. I love her.    — Colleen K. (posted on January 18, 2001)

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