[BreeChick]

I was at a church function tonight and realized something. It's really easy to share with others about it *if you want to share that* in easy ways.

Our church function had a big ole booth with free root beer sundays and coldstone creamery ice cream. I was talking with one of the other women and we were talking about the ice cream. She was saying she could only do a little bit of it cause of her diabetes and I shared that I could do a few bites of it but beyond that ice cream and I didn't get along. Then I said that was cause of the gastric bypass. Then she shared how she'd been looking at the lapband and had gone to a meeting for people interested in any of the WLS. She said she wasn't treated quite nice by the super heavyweights in the room. She's got 100lbs she said to lose. Looking at her, I could tell in her neck and wrists she is probably very very small framed. But overall she doesn't strike you as hugely obese.

So...you never know when you can share about what surgery you had and how it can open a conversation. "cause you never know if someone's been looking at that process or is IN the process if YOU don't share!

[dixieladybug]

This is so true. You just never know. I was at the doctors office the other day with my step daughter. I was talking to a lady in the waiting room and just in casual conversation she mentioned that she had gained so much weight over the holidays and that she needed to lose over 100 pounds because her diabetes was really out of hand. That opened the door to a conversation about WLS. She was so interested in it and had though about it for herself. I gave her the info about the center I went to and she was going to call the clinic for info. We exchanged email address and I got one from her last week to tell me that she had gone to one of the seminars and had an appointment to see the doctor next week. She was so happy. It made me feel good that I could share my story and maybe help someone to made a choice to start this journey. She said she would keep in touch and let me know how it goes.
Thanks for your post. Maybe it will give others the though to share there story with others also.

[Gee-ma 47]

Good idea Bree! Our Assistant Pastor called and asked what did I want to put on the annual calender for activites from the ministerial staff. I chose 2 saturday mornings in Feb for a "Body & Soul" hour. I plan to talk about working toward good physical, mental and spiritual health. At first I felt awkward because people constantly comment on my weightloss, but now I see it's a good opportunity to tell them about wls and what a difference it's made in my life on all levels.

[not quite Barbie]

Don't forget that this site is also a big way to share our journey with people who are wondering about the surgery. That's how I got here in the first place, I googled WLS and found this site. We have many visitors who lurk and read but don't feel comfortable sharing. But they are seeing all the good and bad things about this surgery and it helps them to make that big decision.

[BreeChick]

That is so awesome Gee-Ma! I've been toying with the idea of putting up a flyer for those who wanted to walk in prayer 2 twice a month at our dog park canal. We could take dogs and let them off leash and walk together (women only) So your post is making me think I should just go with it and use it as a time to get to know new people!!