So I have never noticed before how many heavy people are really out there untill I started this journey.Now when I am out and about I look at heavier people and there is this string in my heart that gets pulled. I feel so blessed to have this opertunity to have this surgery done, but I know that not everyone has this option due to finances or even just lack of knowledge. I see them in pain as they are walking , or even just tthe depression in there face, and all I can think of is how benificial this surgery would be for them. I have brought up the topic with some of the heavire people that I would with ( not trying to push it on them, but about what I am doing) and I have had quite a few people ask me for the number to my dr which i gladly tell them and give them all the infor they would need to get started. But clearly I cant just waslk up to some strainger and sugest that they go and have wls no matter how benificail it would be for them. I really just wish there was more advertising out there about there options or even like more grants to become healthy for the people who can not afford it. Well just wanted to get that out, not sure if it make any sence but thakss for reading!

I agree. I talk about my surgery pretty openly because I am trying to spread the word. I especially feel bad for heavy kids. I've been there and I know how tough it can be.

I'm now near goal, so people meeting me for the first time think I'm a normal-weight person. It's weird. I know I'm a formerly heavy person who managed to lose weight, but all others see is a thin person. It's like I'm passing or something.

So I have never noticed before how many heavy people are really out there untill I started this journey.Now when I am out and about I look at heavier people and there is this string in my heart that gets pulled. I feel so blessed to have this opertunity to have this surgery done, but I know that not everyone has this option due to finances or even just lack of knowledge.

Same here. I'm still quite overweight, but when I see people who are also overweight, I feel bad (not guilty, but bad) that I'm going to lose this weight and most likely, they aren't. It really is saddening.

As you mentioned, many don't have insurance and can't afford it. I am a member of the WLSFA (Weight Loss Foundation of America). They are a non profit organization whose goal is to educate about obesity and to provide grants for those who can't get surgery any other way. They recently announced their first recipient and it was just wonderful.

You can find them here: http://wlsfa.org/

In the morning, I leave for San Antonio for The Texas Meet and Greet. Where members from the Texas weight loss community will meet for a week end conference and reception. I am so exited. I help support them as I feel like you do. There are so many out there who need help.

I agree. I talk about my surgery pretty openly because I am trying to spread the word. I especially feel bad for heavy kids. I've been there and I know how tough it can be.

I'm now near goal, so people meeting me for the first time think I'm a normal-weight person. It's weird. I know I'm a formerly heavy person who managed to lose weight, but all others see is a thin person. It's like I'm passing or something.

So funny, just last week I wrote a blog about passing for thin:

http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/blog/232/entry-941-passing-for-thin/

I feel the same way! I have just gotten my date, but am projecting my feelings about the weight loss already...

This post was so interesting to me - I have been feeling this way too. Especially in restaurants when I see someone the size I used to be, pigging out the way I used to. I LONG for them to find the help and healing that I've been able to have - not only surgery, but all the work I've done in therapy through my emotional eating issues, and learning intuitive eating. What a blessing. I have even had some people in my life ask me further details about surgery... and when they hear what it's really like, and they no longer see it as a quick fix (which they need to understand it's not), they say... whoa... I think I'll just try dieting again. I smile and try to be supportive, even though I know they have less than a 2% chance of EVER being successful losing weight long term on their own. My heart aches.

I have had SUCH a hard time putting this into words to anyone, without coming off sounding like I'm being judgmental. I feel like someone will think I'm saying "I'm thin now, I'm a changed person and I feel so sad for all the fat people." When A) I'm not thin yet, and I know that, and B ) that's not how I mean it... but I feel like it comes out that way. I've tried verbalizing it to one fat friend, and one thin friend, and neither of them understood. You expressed exactly what I've been feeling...... maybe it's something only a WLS patient can understand?

Also so great to hear about the organization that is giving out grants!!! What a great step in the right direction!

Yes I think this is something that only a person who has successfully lost a massive amount of weight can understand, whether or not they did it with surgery.

there is a book I used to refer to as my "Fat Bible", it's a memoir written by a woman named Frances Kuffel and it is called, "Passing For Thin". She joined an OA-style group and lost 180 pounds through diet. She's very tall so even though her lowest weight was 149, she appeared very very thin. Not only is she an excellent writer, but she frankly addresses the exact notion we are talking about, and for her, the rage she felt. She eventually relapsed and started eating again, and I believe she is in "recovery" for the 2nd or 3rd time at this time, but that does not negate the truth in her words. I recommend it.