Hello-

I am writing a research paper for my Social Psychology class. I am toying with the notion of writing about how society reacts to obese and non-obese people.

I had my VSG surgery on August 1^st of this year. While I am technically still obese- I have lost nearly 70 pounds since the start of the year. I am now an average weight for my local area. I have noticed a drastic difference in the way people in general treat me.

I am looking for volunteers that would be willing to complete a brief questionnaire about your experiences after VSG surgery. No names will be used only facts gathered from the questionnaire.

If you are interested in participating please let me know.

Thank you

Thank you all for your willingness to help. I am 5 months out and I have noticed drastic differences in the way I am treated now vs the way I was treated before. I was curious if anyone else had encountered the same issues. I will be sending out the questionnaires soon. It does not matter to me how far along you are on your journey, I would be glad to include your data in my research and send everyone a copy of the final paper. This is just a small college research paper- but perhaps it will at least be interesting reading given the data will come from people like us. I will not use anyone's name. I also will not include your questionnaire in the final paper that is sent to everyone. If I quote you in the paper- I will give you a fake name.

Thanks again for your help...and anyone else that would like to join please let me know.

Count me in. I received a rather significant promotion this summer that, while I was completely qualified and deserving, I do not believe I would have recieved had I not lost the weight. Since then, I have been very interested in this topic.

Amanda

Honestly, I noticed I was treated differently more when I decided to start wearing makeup, fixing up my hair and dressing nicer even though i haven't lost much weight. My personal opinion is that at least some of how you are treated is a reflection of how you treat yourself, carry yourself and show your own self confidence. I too would be willing to participate, but I am only a few weeks out from surgery.

I'm also willing to participate and would love to read the final version, too!!

Lissa

Count me in. I am very happy to help.

11 1/2 months, I'm in.

I'm 2 years out and would love to participate if you still need volunteers! PM me with the info

I'm 10 months out, and a sociologist as well, and find this topic fascinating. I'd be happy to participate.

Thank you all for your willingness to participate. Attached is the obesity survey along with instructions on how to return your completed survey. I will be collecting the survey through the month of January for anyone interested in participating. If you are interested in reading the final paper please indicate you would like to have a copy when you turn in your survey.

Thank you all for your help!!

OBESITY SURVEY 2.rtf

Yep, I'm in...

Very interesting!! I'd love to participate...count me in as well! :-)

I ditto your post! I would love to participate- just send me a PM with the pertinent information.

Also, on the whole wearing makeup thing. I'm not into wearing much makeup, am more a jeans and t-shirt kind of gal, always have been. That being said I do have a professional job and when I'm heavy I tend to only wear concealer and nothing else, maybe eye liner. I don't know that I will ever get to the point of eyeshadow and all that, but I do enjoy trying to make myself look nicer in the morning before work. Whether its wearing jewelry or adding a scarf, etc. I also know that I present myself differently because I feel better about myself- especially knowing I won't be the fattest person in the room anymore. And, that when I talk with someone I don't have to spend time (or as much) wondering what fat characteristics I have. I am starting to notice my face seems to have a bit of looseness now instead of the plump chipmunk face I had. Oh well, I'd rather have that than the chipmunk face.

Honestly, I noticed I was treated differently more when I decided to start wearing makeup, fixing up my hair and dressing nicer even though i haven't lost much weight. My personal opinion is that at least some of how you are treated is a reflection of how you treat yourself, carry yourself and show your own self confidence. I too would be willing to participate, but I am only a few weeks out from surgery.

Thank you to the additional Volunteers. I will be continuing to collect the survey until the end of Jan 2012. I will send you a copy via email...also there is one attached to this post. Thank you all so much.

Looks like you have had lots of volunteers, but if you still need people I would LOVE to help you with this!