Hey guys! It's Ron here.....

Some of you knew this and others are not aware of it yet but I am the Keynote speaker at the OH event in LosAngeles on Nov.1st.. I had the typical speech made and then go to thinking. Maybe I should see what you guys want to hear more about. tell me what you think would be some really important topics that I should touch on.
I hope you are doing well and look forward to hearing your ideas very soon!!!

I would most certainly bring up the issue of penis growth after WLS.   Standard convention is 1 " per 25 pounds.  That will raise a few eyebrows...... 


Guy

Damn right!!! Hahahahaaaa I might just go ahead and do it ****s and giggles!!!!!!

 Focus on the mental effects of the surgery because many people don't realize what actually will happen to them mentally and emotionally once food no longer can be their comfort item.

The funny thing is that these are the things I do focus on more then anything! I agree, that more people need to hear there is almost more downs, it feels like, then there is UPS! I struggle with the fact that even at my size I still see the 508lbs guy in the mirror! I sometimes miss him! Crazy huh?
The funny thing is if I hadn't have done the RNY/DS I would be dead and then,,,,well no need for the mirror!
Know what I mean?
What is somethings about yourself you are or have gone thru?

 I've noticed that before my surgery I was unhappy, extremely self-conscious, and a social recluse. I didn't feel any joy being with groups of people anywhere because I just felt like they were all staring at me and wondering about how I got so huge. After surgery though while I'm still self-conscious, it's less severe than before. Another thing is I can look at myself naked now and I rarely could do that before the surgery. I would always see this gigantic disgusting THING and it literally made me want to committ suicide. I was so unhappy for so long without having the surgery I would've probably committed suicide or just died because of the obesity. I'm extremely grateful for the surgery because not only did it save my life from obesity it also saved my mental health. I see myself in a better light and I enjoy being around other people. I'm no longer socially reclusive and I can and do enjoy being with others and going out in public even. Before the surgery I MADE someone go with me basically everywhere I went. I wouldn't go to the store without someone going with me even. I couldn't go anywhere in public looking the way I looked by myself I always made my little brother go with or someone because to me it felt less awkward going with someone than going alone. I always felt like people were giving me that "why are you so fat?" look and now I don't get that. I get more "oh, he's normal" glances rather than the pitying ones I used to get. So emotionally the surgery has changed my life completely. I am more assertive now, I don't just let people talk to me any kind of way like before, I value myself more, I have more energy and I feel that I'm more accepted in general by my peers. If you were to say today "Lance, I will give you 100 million bucks if you would have your surgery reversed and go back to the way you were" I would say not no, but hell no. 

i am with lance on this one.  The physical stuff was easy for me, but the mental stuff takes a lot more work.   Things like finding some really good food, but only being able to eat a few bites;  learning how to function effectively in a society so focused on food, learning to eat in restaurants and taking more food home than you eat, etc.  These are all fine for me now, but I struggled with them for a while.   Just had to learn that being different was OK.  Good luck with the speech.
Steve

I haven't gotten to goal yet, but I can already tell that once I get there staying there is gonna be a ***** Finding ways to stay motivated long term, after the "magic" has worn off, is gonna be the true test. That being said, one thing I find that helps me stay true at this point, and I think will help me stay true long term is acknowledging  and celebrating all the little victories. One reason I come here is to read about other guys victories along the way. Big vics, like Boner biking over some big assed mountain or Kyp Duran running in a freakin' marathon, and little vics like any of a dozen of us bragging about wearing some piece of clothing that we haven't worn in years. It helps me recognized, acknowledge, and celebrate my own little vics when I read about others. And that helps me make a better decision when the opportunity arises sometime down the road. So mentioning all the little things that you're appreciative for that you can do now and couldn't do at 500 is certainly worthwhile I think. The vets can participate mentally by reviewing their own journey, and any newbies or pre-ops will be motivated to seek their own healthy future.

Oh......and it would be cool if you shared your own personal Lindsay Lohan and Brittany Spears pooter stories.

Amen JFish.  Couldn't have said it any better myself.  You are so right on the money my friend.

Taz