Obesity Help 2011 Events - Coupon Code - Announcement!

Feb 25, 2011

Obesity Help 2011 Events - Coupon Code - Announcement!

Picture 1
I am MM. 

I am NOT fabulous.  But, I LOVE OH with big puffy hearts.

"For the past 10 years, ObesityHelp.com has served the nation as the #1 online resource center offering peer to peer support and the very best information about the treatment options for obesity and plastic surgery after weight loss.

Now, the trusted name in the industry travels nationwide in hopes to meet you in person and to provide you with the opportunity to meet your peers face-to-face and to speak with the leading industry experts who can answer your questions and further provide you with the education, information, and support you deserve."

We are scheduling many events that cover a wide range of issues: pre-op, post-op, plastic surgery, insurance summits and much more."

I've been attending conferences since 2008, and I have to say, I LOVE ME SOME OBESITY HELP EVENTS. 

I do.  The proof is in the hundreds of photos.   (However, I tend to not be in them until the cupcakes come out because I am permanently attached to a Nikon.)

Where ELSE can you be in the same place with hundreds of your weight loss surgery peers?  Uh, it never happens. 

We have a great time, learn a whole heaping lot, and did I mention having a great time?

We do.  It's always fun, amazing and inspirational regardless of your stage in this insane journey or stage of broken.  Seriously. 

I'm broken, and I still love going to meet my peers.  They support me in ways you can't imagine.  

Don't think you "can't go," because you've got a broken, a regain, or you're just not ... feeling it. 

Frankly, I am the Anti-Fabulous MMTM, with sparkly Chucks.

We know this.  I post often about my anti-fabulousity.  I've decided, I'm going to go regardless, barefoot, and have a KICK ASS TIME, sans any fabulous!

You are our people.  Come.  Meet us.

 

Effing-Fabulous
Need some motivation? 

  • All commission PROCEEDS from the sale of tickets with the code "meltingmama" will directly benefit the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) and the BBGC Education Fund.
  • Yep.  I am donating my earnings back.  (As are some of my BBGC peers.  I will link.)  Pay it forward we do.
  • Let's go! 
  • Come to SEATTLE, NEW YORK + NEW ORLEANS!  Come be unFABULOUS WITH ME!

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2 comments

What do you want?

Feb 20, 2011

  I have heard it before. I will hear it again.  And, again, I'm hearing it loud, clear and I don't know how to respond.

Due to the nature of who I am or how I present myself, not everyone is going to "like me."   Fine.

Back when I taped those long-forgotten web videos of Melting Mama's Reality Bites, I was told something.  I was told that I couldn't go "mainstream" until I cleaned up my "act" and you know, changed.  At that time, I couldn't fathom what "mainstream" was, because I wasn't blogging for any reason other than to blog.  

What do you mean mainstream?  

Bloggers didn't blog to make wads of money, for fame or notoriety, did they?  Certainly not in my niche.  Weight loss?   That's crazy talk.  Oh, they DO?  Nobody told me!  Clearly I wasn't paying attention.  

"If you'd just ____________ you'd be unstoppable."  For what?  I wasn't trying to be unstoppable.  I just wanted to write.  

You mean -- if I stopped dropping the f-bomb in my personal blog, that's going to make me Successful Beyond Compare?  I just wanted to write.

If I don't get exasperated and rant once in a while, I will land a million dollar advertising contract with Johnson + Johnson for Band Aids?  "Sure Thing!"   Uh.  No. 

Even if I buff off the rougher edges of my personality, it is still unlikely that I would fit a corporate definition of whatever it would take to be "unstoppable."  

What is it that you want me to do?   I told you I was open to options, I am "technically" unemployed, but, what?  I just want to write.

I already told you, I'm not a billboard type.  Even if I had a one hundred percent perfectly post op experience, I don't see the Before and Afters the same way you do.  I see Before and During and Later.  It's a constant progression, undefinable by a certain time frame or others descriptions of success.

If it's clear that I am not a success by the standard definitions, why would you want me to be "unstoppable?"  Why would you want me as your example?

Because, if you ask me to "just stop doing this, change that, alter this, and start doing that," it's no longer me.  Who do you want?  What do you want?  I just want to write.

I didn't get HERE by being a Picture of Post Op Perfection.  I got here, by just writing.  I have had more success than I could imagine, by just writing.

I am somewhat respected by those who want to know they don'tHAVE to be a Picture of Post Op Perfection, and want to know that they did not fail, because their surgical procedure FAILED THEM.  Also, by those who have had a super successful experience, but enjoy the candor of being a little too real, because you know what, it's like looking in a mirror, no?

The reason I have any success at this point, is that I AM THE MAJORITY.  We are the majority.  The not-perfect results.  

*Your Results Will Vary.  And, they do.  I ask you this, do you know ANYONE that has had weight loss surgery and NOT had a side effect, complication or emotional distress?

<cricket, cricket>

No.  You don't.  

For those who we "look up" to in the community, who propogate the ideas of Post Op Perfection are more broken than you know.  We are all equal.  

The difference between they and I?  They may have learned to hide the "broken" a little bit better to sell themselves. "Fabulous!  And don't you look AMAZING!"   I didn't care to do so, because I didn't care about the potential for money nor the career goals in my WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY.  What does lying get you anyway?   I am not out to get a career as a long term weight loss surgery whore, so why am I constantly asked to do just that?  What am I not seeing?  I just want to write.

My surgery was a complete success.  I am a success.  I repeatedly say this.  So what?  I don't need to plaster it somewhere.  My blogging came out of the need to write because I needed something to keep me entertained while I was home, because my "successful surgery" broke me in other ways!  I just wanted to write.

So, you tell me.  What do you want from me?  Honestly.  

Besides the obvious:  "Don't say f____, Beth, it's offensive.  Don't pick on Beachbody, that's irritating and I do not appreciate it ."  

You don't think I know this?  Do items like this require emails to discuss?  Come on.  I'm not stupid.  I know it's offensive.  I know I push buttons.  It's half the reason people follow my rantings.

What?  What is it that you think is this magical thinking that is going to take me from a semi-successful blogger to UNSTOPPABLE LIKE OPRAH?  Seriously.   I just want to write.  I think I just did.

 

6 comments

Obesity Help 2011 Events - Coupon Code - Announcement!

Feb 17, 2011

Obesity Help 2011 Events - Coupon Code - Announcement!

Picture 1
I am MM. 

I am NOT fabulous.  But, I LOVE OH with big puffy hearts.

"For the past 10 years, ObesityHelp.com has served the nation as the #1 online resource center offering peer to peer support and the very best information about the treatment options for obesity and plastic surgery after weight loss.

Now, the trusted name in the industry travels nationwide in hopes to meet you in person and to provide you with the opportunity to meet your peers face-to-face and to speak with the leading industry experts who can answer your questions and further provide you with the education, information, and support you deserve."

We are scheduling many events that cover a wide range of issues: pre-op, post-op, plastic surgery, insurance summits and much more."

I've been attending conferences since 2008, and I have to say, I LOVE ME SOME OBESITY HELP EVENTS. 

I do.  The proof is in the hundreds of photos.   (However, I tend to not be in them until the cupcakes come out because I am permanently attached to a Nikon.)

Where ELSE can you be in the same place with hundreds of your weight loss surgery peers?  Uh, it never happens. 

We have a great time, learn a whole heaping lot, and did I mention having a great time?

We do.  It's always fun, amazing and inspirational regardless of your stage in this insane journey or stage of broken.  Seriously. 

I'm broken, and I still love going to meet my peers.  They support me in ways you can't imagine.  

Don't think you "can't go," because you've got a broken, a regain, or you're just not ... feeling it. 

Frankly, I am the Anti-Fabulous MMTM, with sparkly Chucks.

We know this.  I post often about my anti-fabulousity.  I've decided, I'm going to go regardless, barefoot, and have a KICK ASS TIME, sans any fabulous!

You are our people.  Come.  Meet us.

 

Effing-Fabulous
Need some motivation? 

  • All commission PROCEEDS from the sale of tickets with the code "meltingmama" will directly benefit the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) and the BBGC Education Fund.
  • Yep.  I am donating my earnings back.  (As are some of my BBGC peers.  I will link.)  Pay it forward we do.
  • Let's go! 
  • Come to SEATTLE, NEW YORK + NEW ORLEANS!  Come be unFABULOUS WITH ME!

Share on FacebookPost to Google Buzz (1)Email this • 

0 comments

Maybe it's because I'm special, but I don't get it.

Feb 04, 2011

 


Maybe it's because I'm special, but I don't get it.

Binge-starve-cycle 

Maybe it's because I'm special.  Or in pain.  Or just not understanding because maybe I am in a different head space.  I am voting that I again, am not normal.

I'm watching online conversations about "food addictions" and  "binge eating" after weight loss surgery and I am awfully confused.  

For example -- a post WLS patient describes herself as a binge-eater, going through the steps of sobering up or breaking this addiction. 

Eating disorders happen after weight loss surgery, I know it can be a serious complicating issue.  I have several online friends who DO have diagnosed eating disorders post weight loss surgery, and a few that are definitely suspect, and who don't know they suffer.  It happens, it's reality.  So be it.   

I do not discount her experience.

However, what she describes, doesn't sound so dire.  

It doesn't sound anything at all like what my friends have suffered at the hands of their eating disorders.  At all.  

Again, I realize symptoms differ from person to person, and can be entirely different for each person suffering.  Unless there are major factors that she's not discussing, I am concerned that the behavior she is trying "break-free" from is quite normal, well, very normal... within the realm of a weight loss surgery patient.   In fact, they sound quite normal for lots of people who might absent-mindedly "go-to" food as a coping mechanism.   But, all out ADDICTION?

But, my sense of normal is obviously off the charts, I drink 1.5 pots of coffee per day and break half of the "Rules Of The Pouch."  That probably makes me certifiably insane by some of your post WLS standards.  Lock me away.  Just allow me coffee and cheese.

Why do I care?   Because many of us are reading about these issues -- and wondering --  no, I know they're wondering, because I'm getting the emails --

"WAIT A MINUTE, I DO THAT.  I didn't know it was WRONG!  What, do I have an eating disorder too?  Do I need treatment?  OMG.  Somebody tell me if I am okay?"  

And, to be honest, this reminds me alot of that scary window salesman who pushed Overeaters Anonymous on myself and my husband when I mentioned that we had weight loss surgery -

"You must admit that you have no power over food."

YOU!  OUT OF MY HOUSE!  

We're doing alright, WHY THE HELL are you scaring the newly UNFAT?  SHOO!  GET. OUT. OF. MY. HOUSE.

Get your God out of my crackers!  I happen to ENJOY eating.   Just, in Very Small Amounts!  I'm not going to hide my crackers, don't TAKE THEM FROM ME.  You do not want to mess with a hypoglycemic's snacks.

Binge eating, as described by the Weight Control Network:

Most of us overeat from time to time, and some of us often feel we have eaten more than we should have. Eating a lot of food does not necessarily mean that you have binge eating disorder. Experts generally agree that most people with serious binge eating problems often eat an unusually large amount of food and feel their eating is out of control. 

People with binge eating disorder also may:

  • Eat much more quickly than usual during binge episodes.
  • Eat until they are uncomfortably full.
  • Eat large amounts of food even when they are not really hungry.
  • Eat alone because they are embarrassed about the amount of food they eat.
  • Feel disgusted, depressed, or guilty after overeating.

It's pretty easy for anyone to slide into those categories, especially if we qualified for weight loss surgery.  You could probably qualify for many of these as a pre-op, and you didn't even think about it.  Many WLS patients were compulsive overeaters prior to surgery, and the surgery only partially helps.

I suppose the difference is -- post surgery -- DOING SO CAN CAUSE DISTRESS.  Over-eating can physically cause PAIN, discomfort, dumping, nausea or any number of things.  That's a big impetus for many post ops to quit overeating to begin with -- to avoid the pain.  They aren't thinking about the emotional causes, triggers, to overeating, they just don't want to throw up.

We're not really thinking about being POWERLESS, we are thinking, "Holy shit, I don't want to break my pouch!"

I knew going in to roux en y surgery that overeating or eating the inappropriate foods would cause a physical reaction, and would put me in time out for being "bad."  That was part of my reasoning for choosing roux en y surgery, I wanted to know that I would PAY DEARLY for messing with Ben + Jerry.  

And, I do.  Pay Dearly.  Not, mess around with Ben + Jerry.  I have other vices.  Hello, caffeine!  But, on that thread, do I think I require 12 Steps Away From Coffee?  Maybe two.  One - STOP.  But, you know what TWO is?  MEDICATE.  There's always something else.  

I guess what I am trying to say is -- if we qualified for weight loss surgery, we sort of went in to this game with an eating problem, no?  It shouldn't come as a big surprise that later on --- "How did that stack of crackers disappear?"  Oh.  That was me.  Uh.  Sorry.  The crackers aren't holding Supreme Power! over me.  I'm stupid and I eat them.  I'm not saying YOU are, I am saying I AM.

We are aware that we have a problem when we go under the knife, that's why we're doing it, to "gain control," because we failed every other method.  (Or at least we pretended we did to get insurance coverage.)

But -- this?   Perhaps before weight loss surgery, but do you still do this now?

Compulsive Overeating/Binge Eating Disorder

  1. Fear of not being able to control eating, and while eating, not being able to stop.
  2. Isolation. Fear of eating around and with others.
  3. Chronic dieting on a variety of popular diet plans.
  4. Holding the belief that life will be better if they can lose weight.
  5. Hiding food in strange places (closets, cabinets, suitcases, under the bed) to eat at a later time.
  6. Vague or secretive eating patterns.
  7. Self-defeating statements after food consumption.
  8. Blames failure in social and professional community on weight.
  9. Holding the belief that food is their only friend.
  10. Frequently out of breath after relatively light activities.
  11. Excessive sweating and shortness of breath.
  12. High blood pressure and/or cholesterol.
  13. Leg and joint pain.
  14. Weight gain.
  15. Decreased mobility due to weight gain.
  16. Loss of sexual desire or promiscuous relations.
  17. Mood swings. Depression. Fatigue.
  18. Insomnia. Poor Sleeping Habits.

I am concerned that we're not allowing ourselves to be normal, normal former morbid-obese girls, though.   Cut yourself a little...slack here.  The function of most weight loss surgeries prevents you from creating too much caloric havoc -- you do have to work a little bit to break them.  (Want to learn how to gain weight with a gastric bypass?  I can teach you.  I'm totally writing an eBook.)

If we had surgery to "control" ourselves because we were out of control, and we then restrict our diets to a very limited intake to "control" ourselves, and then further "control" the situation by blowing up mostly normal post WLS food intake into sinful acts?  

We leave ourselves entirely out of control.  Nothing to eat, standing in front of the fridge recycling thoughts of what "I don't need."  Nothing like beating yourself up over a snack.  Is it worth it?

What is left to lose?   What are you going to do when you've villified all food and all food intake situations?  

If food is no longer an option -- you may very well find another -- "option."

Right.  It ain't knitting, honey.  (Well, for you it is.  But, you are weird.  <3)

Have you read Weighty Secrets?  Everybody done doin' something.  You just don't KNOW ABOUT IT.  

It's all too much.  

And, no, emailers, you don't appear to have an eating disorder, but if you do, so do I, and so do we all.  Let's book a whole wing someplace.  Wait, that sounds, appealing... actually.  

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About Me
24.7
BMI
RNY
Surgery
04/05/2004
Surgery Date
Mar 08, 2007
Member Since

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