Re: Don, approaching others

[Guest guest]

Lori, Don and All:

Wouldn't it be great if we could approach people obviously suffering from their weight and let them know that there is not just hope, but a solution? Unfortunately, it probably would not be well received in most cases.

I have a dear cousin; we grew up together and are more like sisters. She lives in NH and if she weighs a pound, she weighs 400 pounds. I saw her for the first time since my surgery just before Christmas. Needless to say, she was amazed at my progress and was very complimentary. She even volunteered that an acquaintance had the same surgery recently in NH and was also pleased.

However, at least 3 times she said that she was happy for me and as long as I am happy, that's fine and as long as it was something I wanted to do, fine too. I know her well enough to know that means I should not even remotely suggest she give the surgery a thought (not that I would; each individual must reach that place on his/her own). She says she plans to join Weight Watchers (again) after Christmas and "lose a few pounds". And this is from someone I love and loves me. I can't imagine the reaction of some strangers if they were approached. Sad to say, there are many obese people out there who are in denial and can't believe they are as heavy as they are or look as overweight as they do.

Wish we could be more help, but unless people want to ask.....

Just my two cents worth.

Lois

[Guest guest]

Lois,

I agree w/you 100%. There is no way of walking up to a person suffering from obesity to tell them what we have done, and how.

I do however think that if someone chooses to "open a can of worms" per say, by wearing something because they're proud of their achievements, then someone approaching them, there's nothing wrong with that. That would be the other person's choice to ask.

I honestly believe there are LOTS of people out there who suffer from the terrible disease, that are very unclear of their choices. If it weren't for a computer, and television, I myself would have never known about Gastric Bypass Surgery, and researched it to the extent I did prior to surgery. I know being 433+ lbs. prior to surgery, the LAST place you would have found me was walking to a library to check out their info they have on this, or any other types of weight loss reduction methods.

I thought POSSIBLY by offering a dance that was open to people of the "larger size", that more and more people would opt to chose coming to something that they would feel more comfortable at. Once they are there, and start to ask questions, IF they're interested in learning more, we could help direct them to the needed places for them to discuss this option as a tool further, or research it to there own extent.

Make any sense? I'm tired! LOL!

Dawn

-----Original Message-----From: Petzx7@... Sent: Monday, January 01, 2001 5:49 PMTo: OSSG-NewEnglandegroupsSubject: Re: Don, approaching othersLori, Don and All: Wouldn't it be great if we could approach people obviously suffering from their weight and let them know that there is not just hope, but a solution? Unfortunately, it probably would not be well received in most cases. I have a dear cousin; we grew up together and are more like sisters. She lives in NH and if she weighs a pound, she weighs 400 pounds. I saw her for the first time since my surgery just before Christmas. Needless to say, she was amazed at my progress and was very complimentary. She even volunteered that an acquaintance had the same surgery recently in NH and was also pleased. However, at least 3 times she said that she was happy for me and as long as I am happy, that's fine and as long as it was something I wanted to do, fine too. I know her well enough to know that means I should not even remotely suggest she give the surgery a thought (not that I would; each individual must reach that place on his/her own). She says she plans to join Weight Watchers (again) after Christmas and "lose a few pounds". And this is from someone I love and loves me. I can't imagine the reaction of some strangers if they were approached. Sad to say, there are many obese people out there who are in denial and can't believe they are as heavy as they are or look as overweight as they do. Wish we could be more help, but unless people want to ask..... Just my two cents worth. Lois