Duuuude!!!

[Guest guest]

She'll probably call in a few days after she's had a chance to mull things over

a bit.

I was presumptious enough not too long ago for someone that was obviously

suffering...cane, short of breath, sweating in 45degree temperatures...I felt

troubled for her. Anyhow, I just went up to her while she was sitting on a

bench in front of a store and asked if I could sit down...she was happy just to

have someone to sit with as most folks probably do to her what they used to do

to us...either ignore or make fun of.

Anyhow, I broke the ice with my driver's license that I still use that was made

pre-surgery. I just told her that " I've got a picture of someone that I used to

know and felt terrible for " and gave her the license...she was confused as I

expected; I told her to look at the date of the license which was 1.5 years ago

and now look close at my face. She did NOT express feigned amazement or

joy...she turned major pissed off and I let her start with her " you know I get

sooooo very tired of people like you... " and " I'm happy with the way I am.... "

and " if you could only realize.... " the same old bovine effluvia.

Since I didn't go away, she started to get up and I asked her to please sit and

listen because it was just a year and a half ago that I was sweating in the

Winter, using a cane (I didn't...but it sounded good) and " had listened to

people make fun of me all of my life....and now people like YOU accuse me of

being like them. People don't believe it's me in my driver's license and I have

the best time with that little card (probably won't one day when pulled over),

but I really only wanted to show what I wished someone had shown me years ago

with regards to WLS. "

She asked " stomach stapling? " and I corrected her by explaining what the

procedures are and what they'll do, what's to be expected and my results from

the RnY. By the time I'd finished that explanation, 15 minutes had passed and

she had listened but hadn't quite absorbed it all. I gave her my MD name and

number and told her that he won't consider anyone anyless they've attended at

least two group sessions. She didn't make the first one...but she was at the

last one.

I guess the moral of the story being...you can only point folks in the

direction, but it's gonna be up to them. I think you're a great example as to

what a year or so will make in anyone's lifestyle...but, first you gotta

convince these folks that have been in turmoil (or something like that) all

their lives that you're actually one of them...recently dismissed.<G> And I

recall from past experience, I didn't nor would I trust too many folks that had

something to " cure me " because I'd run across too many of those over the years.

But....it was good of you to try and she may very well be looking into the

procedure via the WWW to see what's up. So, don't whack yourself too much if

she doesn't call back...she's gotta convince herself first. If she's got any

class about her, she'll call you back once she realizes the potential and thanks

you for being concerned enough to risk getting the crud beat out of you for

touching on a tender topic.

Good for you old bean!

Dan

rny 10.13.98

~170# and almost at goal!

Date: Mon, 1 May 2000 07:11:38 -0500

Subject: unsolicited help

Dear Friends:

Yesterday, I was at a special movie screening. A young lady, 30 or so,

walked in ahead of me. She was morbidly obese and had to use one of those

aluminum canes to walk. This movie house had note pads because it's one

where you write down your food and drink order and they deliver it to your

seat.

Anyway, I decided to write her a note about WLS. I confessed to being

presumptuous to write a note, but gave her a few details and invited her to

call me to discuss it or cuss me out for being rude. I waited until the end

of the movie and then approached her and told her I had a note I wanted to

give her. She nodded and said okay, so she wasn't the kind of person who

was freaked that someone would do this. Anyway, she didn't call and now I

feel stupid.

I thought, maybe I should restrict myself to just helping people who

approach me through email or my doctor's referral. But then I thought, this

woman doesn't consent or ask for all of the bogus advice we get on TV and in

ads about all of the stuff that DOES NOT work like Metabolife, liquid diets,

Slim-Fast, etc. So I did it.

I appreciate getting to vent. I guess I'm still glad I did it. She hasn't

called which means she hasn't had a chance, doesn't want to, whatever. She

may even file it away in her brain and use it a year from now. Oh, well.

Bandas

Austin, TX

RNY 4-28-98, Dr. Selinkoff, San , TX

Then: 305 Now: 185

120 pounds gone forever!