Venting - sometimes I wish ...

Yesterday I had to go get new passport pix done (I'll be travelling south in the winter).
The two ladies working in the little shop were both quite obese, and were enjoying a McDonald's icecream sundae when I walked in.

They were very friendly, and we got to talking, especially about the very different photo they took, compared to my old passport shot. And of course, WLS came up.

The larger of the two women - younger, very pretty - stated categorically that she would never have WLS because she had a couple of friends who had regained all their weight after the surgery.

She also had complicating issues like a difficult marriage etc.

But here's what I wish - i wish that I could speak freely with a woman like that.
Her life could be so much better.
But she's got to realize the necessity for serious change herself.
Without that recognition, she would be unsuccessful.

And it's not my business. I've got to watch my mouth.

But I wish, you know?

i wish too. but you have to want it to want it.

and us here? we wanted this. We needed this.

I'm so happy to offer to tell my story to anyone who will listen, but to those who don't, its their choice.

Been in that situation, I figure when they tell me someone else's failure story that it opens it up for me to offer my opinion that they didn't want it bad enough, that they didn't learn.  I was approached by a woman in the grocery store who said she had been watching me reduce over  the months.  I told her what I'd done, explained it briefly, then told her if she wanted more info to catch me another time - and she did - her referral went in last week I think. 

Years ago at work they gave us bumper stickers - if you want to know about university, ask me.  I feel like I should get a t-shirt - if you want to know about WLS, ask me.

It's kinda like religion. People don't like to be preached too. I am more than willing to share my journey so far with someone but if they don't want to hear it I won't force it down their throats. I know I don't like when people used to give me "advice" about my weight.

oh absolutely. Whenever someoen asks me about my weight loss, i tell them about my surgery, but i won't approach an obese person and start preaching the WLS gospel.

 Gaby....If you hadn't opened your mouth with me, I would never ever heard of OH forum!!! I'm so glad you shared with me!!!

It is great that you were able to talk about it with them.  You did what you could do. Talk about it and let them make the choice. I applaud you for at least making that step.

The sad part about the whole thing is most obese people are ok with being obese. They are stuck and not sure what to do so the give up.

As for the surgery part...Anyone that I have spoke with about the surgery do not know that it is covered under OHIP.  Doctors don't just come out and tell you either.  The only way I found out about it was through a friend of a friend. 

We were standing outside a club and a "juice head"  was trying to pick this chic up by saying he could bench so much. In return I was standing with a group and he pointed over and stated that he could pick me up. Then started laughing. Lets just say that ended my night.

I here what you're saying. My Aunt has a new husband who is very overweight. He complains all the time that he can't bend over and he gets out of breath walking upstairs. Whenever he's hungry he says it's because his blood sugar is low yet I know it's simply your body being acustome to always being full. I even took his blood sugar readings one day when he said that and they were normal. He eats constantly and sits in bed every night with 2 large bags of chips watching TV.
What do you say. I just want to scream at people and say look at me, look what making the decision to have this surgery has done for my life and you could have this life too. Unfortunately, you're right you really have to be in that mindset before you make the decision to save your life.

 Everyone has their own breaking point, where the risks of the surgery outweight (pun intended) the risks of being obese...

I hear what Gabygee is saying... i just want to shake people who as soon as they ask me what happened, give me a myriad of excuses why it wouldnt work for them.  Statistically it does work, but they are not in the mindset to hear it.  People gravitate to WLS when it is their time to.. all we can do is be positive ambassadors for it.
Being fat, in itself, is an act of utter defiance.  A stranger preaching it's virtues will fall on deaf ears. 

You did have an opportunity to plant a seed, when it's her time she'll remember you.