I was leaving work yesterday after a long day.

Tired. Ready to get to my vehicle and make the interstate commute home. Was already thinking about my playlist for the ride home.

I am a production supervisor in a large manufacturing plant. At one time, I seemed to know everyone there....and know them fairly well. The place has expanded and grown significantly over the years. Lots of new faces.

So, I'm walking down the main aisle with my tired mind lost in my thoughts about my music and a couple phone calls I needed to make to arrange some schedule changes. Waving at and speaking briefly with some folks as I walked on by. Nearing the main plant entrance I hear a horn blow and look back and see a dude riding up on his material handling cart. He's a big guy, too. Appears to be fairly tall, young and really, really heavy. He's taking off his work gloves and extending his hand.

We introduce ourselves and he said he's seen me around the plant and I'd been losing a large amount of weight and he was simply hoping I'd share how with him.

I was straight up with him and gave him a fast rundown of the my sleeve surgery process and how, where, why it unfolded like it did. I was 100% honest with him and broke down the costs and how our insurance was not so great.....covering only 50% of the actual surgery cost, but not the related tests and things that are required. I told him how it was actually significantly cheaper for me to have self funded the deal. Crazy scenario, but true. I urged him to pursue a couple different avenues for finding out further information on how to fund the surgery.

He had very specific questions as to what I could eat, what I could take for meds and what I could drink. He wanted to know what days off were like and what working days felt like.

We talked for at least 30 minutes and I tried to think of the the things he'd not asked that I could answer, too.

He thanked me profusely and I can say that I instantly felt like the last 14 hour workday was erased.....I had recharged my batteries. I felt absolutely great. I can only hope that he'll be able to sort things out and find out the information that he needs to find out to better make his battle plan.

So....I'm almost out the main entrance....but then veer on a new course. I stopped off at the nice gym we have at work and spent 30 mins working out before refilling my 30 oz Water bottle and getting in the car for the well hydrated ride home.

Life is good. I am grateful for each day....but yesterday was really cool. I looked at this guy and could see in him the same desire to change that I had......the same confusion as to how......and I'm hoping that things will line up for him. I know that our HR department and our benefits are lacking in regards to wls. I need to study up on the various financing options and have this information readily available....contact info and such so I can be better prepared for the next such conversation I have with potential wls candidates.

Thanks for reading my ramblings.

I hope that today brings another such conversation with someone like this young guy. I hope that each of you have this experience and can feel a sense of calm and relief in the person you are talking to. It is a powerful moment and one that is very rewarding.

To date, it's one of the very best NSV's I've had.

Oh, man ... that's powerful, Dub.

Well done.

That's awesome. Good for you, Dub.

Tearing up. As much as I have been very quiet amongst those I love re; who I share my surgical plans with, I've been open with strangers and coworkers. One of my co-workers at work is going to look into it now too, just from our talks.... And I haven't even been sleeved yet. I imagine you gave him a lot of hope, which is indeed a very powerful thing. Great job.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using the BariatricPal App

What a great way to pay it forward! Have you thought about being a motivational speaker? I know you would be a great one based on your writings I read. Good move in using the company gym too. Just curious was anyone else working out there too?

Wow that is a powerful story on so many levels.

What is so fantastic is that it is not just a NSV for you but also for him too. It sounds like the seed was already planted but boy you sure are the water!

I know that this man's life will be different because of you. You are awesome.

I was leaving work yesterday after a long day.

Tired. Ready to get to my vehicle and make the interstate commute home. Was already thinking about my playlist for the ride home.

I am a production supervisor in a large manufacturing plant. At one time, I seemed to know everyone there....and know them fairly well. The place has expanded and grown significantly over the years. Lots of new faces.

So, I'm walking down the main aisle with my tired mind lost in my thoughts about my music and a couple phone calls I needed to make to arrange some schedule changes. Waving at and speaking briefly with some folks as I walked on by. Nearing the main plant entrance I hear a horn blow and look back and see a dude riding up on his material handling cart. He's a big guy, too. Appears to be fairly tall, young and really, really heavy. He's taking off his work gloves and extending his hand.

We introduce ourselves and he said he's seen me around the plant and I'd been losing a large amount of weight and he was simply hoping I'd share how with him.

I was straight up with him and gave him a fast rundown of the my sleeve surgery process and how, where, why it unfolded like it did. I was 100% honest with him and broke down the costs and how our insurance was not so great.....covering only 50% of the actual surgery cost, but not the related tests and things that are required. I told him how it was actually significantly cheaper for me to have self funded the deal. Crazy scenario, but true. I urged him to pursue a couple different avenues for finding out further information on how to fund the surgery.

He had very specific questions as to what I could eat, what I could take for meds and what I could drink. He wanted to know what days off were like and what working days felt like.

We talked for at least 30 minutes and I tried to think of the the things he'd not asked that I could answer, too.

He thanked me profusely and I can say that I instantly felt like the last 14 hour workday was erased.....I had recharged my batteries. I felt absolutely great. I can only hope that he'll be able to sort things out and find out the information that he needs to find out to better make his battle plan.

So....I'm almost out the main entrance....but then veer on a new course. I stopped off at the nice gym we have at work and spent 30 mins working out before refilling my 30 oz Water bottle and getting in the car for the well hydrated ride home.

Life is good. I am grateful for each day....but yesterday was really cool. I looked at this guy and could see in him the same desire to change that I had......the same confusion as to how......and I'm hoping that things will line up for him. I know that our HR department and our benefits are lacking in regards to wls. I need to study up on the various financing options and have this information readily available....contact info and such so I can be better prepared for the next such conversation I have with potential wls candidates.

Thanks for reading my ramblings.

I hope that today brings another such conversation with someone like this young guy. I hope that each of you have this experience and can feel a sense of calm and relief in the person you are talking to. It is a powerful moment and one that is very rewarding.

To date, it's one of the very best NSV's I've had.

This is awesome and so rewarding.

Not knowing your company, but maybe you could serve as an advocate to your company and see if they can change their policy on weight loss surgery.

You are a living, breathing example of how much it can benefit them.

Congratulations!

paying it forward always - that's YOU @@Dub

We are lucky to have you here - on BP sharing your thoughts, feelings, everything you post has your heart in it and it shows...much appreciated.

Thanks @@Dub for sharing that NSV. It's a great example of how your success can inspire those around you!

You're made of good stuff, Dub. You deserve the calm, centered feeling (and the energized part, certainly) that you got from taking time to talk with the young man. Feeling right on the inside tells us that we're doing right.

Well done sir. Good to some guys piping in on results and experiances..

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

"Not knowing your company, but maybe you could serve as an advocate to your company and see if they can change their policy on weight loss surgery."

I was just about to suggest what innersurfergirl already did above!

You are such an inspiration on this site. I always appreciate your comments and posts and the way you keep it real.

those are the moments in life after WLS that makes everything you go through, all the ups and down, that makes you beam with pride. I had that experience when i was at my lowest... Paula was my Dub. I did the same thing... i walk up to her and ask all those same questions.... she planted my seed of hope. You my friend planted your seed of hope... You probably will never know the emotional impact you have made on this young man. If it works out and he does the WLS... Oh man... the pride.

I have had two such seeds that were planted.... My friend Leslie..Every time she saw me she would say...Chrisy you look great... i would say Leslie.. you can do this i know you can.. Well Last April 1st she had the sleeve done... i was there at the surg with her and know it would be a battle because of the negative family members... but i kept encouraging her... she has to date lost 109lbs. I beam with pride every time i see her... the other day i was going to Walmart and getting out my car... i hear Satan's helper (girls scout) ask, mam would you like to buy some Cookies... and i hear a very familiar voice say... No thank you.. I had bariatric surgery and i don't eat that anymore... It was Leslie... she saw me and said... Did you hear that Chrisy... I said.. I sure did... God i am so proud of you.

My friend Jessie.... she had GB in june and has lost 115lbs.... i had dinner with her the other night.... OMG... She kept saying... thank you over and over... and how i inspired her... she is now paying it forward with her mother...

It's those moments..... Dub...you keep encouraging and inspiring... You are doing an amazing job... but then again.. i always knew you would.

These are two of my seeds.... I know they would be ok with me showing there face... but i blocked out anyway... Leslie is holding her pants.... and jessie is in the white jeans... (that was at 85lbs lost, she has lost 30 more since)

Love this story! I really hope this guy ends up figuring out a plan.

What a great story!! There is nothing better than sharing the joy and rewards our weight loss surgery can bring!! Knowing you may have inspired someone to make a life changing decision is powerful!! Way to go.

Thank you everyone for your support and extremely kind words.

The folks here on this sight have been a secret weapon and source of strength, wisdom and absolute truth at a time in my life where these ideals were scarce.

I am a better man for getting to know you all. You have been a sounding board for my thoughts, planning and helped shaped how I felt about my life in general. I am so very grateful for the inspiring people here on Bariatric Pal and their acceptance of my erratic arse. I'm glad I didn't have to walk this walk alone.

The harsh realities of being overweight and the toll this takes on health, relationships and capabilities is all but overwhelming. My friends here helped me to see this and to help me embrace weight loss surgery and with refining a strategy that has been working thus far. You've helped me in much deeper ways, too. You've helped me deal with life during & after some initial success with the weight battle. You helped me when this occurred and I found out that even though I was gaining leverage over the source of my frustrations.....it wasn't a cure-all for eroding relationships and years of living as I had. It is almost as if I've been living in a fog for years....now it's gone and I can see with great clarity. Everything isn't perfect and ideal.

The wls is certainly a little bit of magic.....but it has a limited sway over the rest of my life. You, my friends, have helped me immensely with gaining insight on the areas left uncured by wls.

Thank you so very much.

What a great way to pay it forward! Have you thought about being a motivational speaker? I know you would be a great one based on your writings I read. Good move in using the company gym too. Just curious was anyone else working out there too?

Once I get further along.....maintain at goal for a while.....deal with the excess skin that's surely going to be there....heal and continue on with my progress......yes....I'd very much like to speak on wls for my bariatric center's briefings and seminars. I'd love to share my story with potential patients who are seeking a tool to get the results they are desiring. It would really make me feel good to answer their questions and perhaps alleviate some of their concerns and fears.

I don't want to sugarcoat anything, but to simply speak on my own experiences.....good, bad & ugly.

those are the moments in life after WLS that makes everything you go through, all the ups and down, that makes you beam with pride. I had that experience when i was at my lowest... Paula was my Dub. I did the same thing... i walk up to her and ask all those same questions.... she planted my seed of hope. You my friend planted your seed of hope... You probably will never know the emotional impact you have made on this young man. If it works out and he does the WLS... Oh man... the pride.

I have had two such seeds that were planted.... My friend Leslie..Every time she saw me she would say...Chrisy you look great... i would say Leslie.. you can do this i know you can.. Well Last April 1st she had the sleeve done... i was there at the surg with her and know it would be a battle because of the negative family members... but i kept encouraging her... she has to date lost 109lbs. I beam with pride every time i see her... the other day i was going to Walmart and getting out my car... i hear Satan's helper (girls scout) ask, mam would you like to buy some Cookies... and i hear a very familiar voice say... No thank you.. I had bariatric surgery and i don't eat that anymore... It was Leslie... she saw me and said... Did you hear that Chrisy... I said.. I sure did... God i am so proud of you.

My friend Jessie.... she had GB in june and has lost 115lbs.... i had dinner with her the other night.... OMG... She kept saying... thank you over and over... and how i inspired her... she is now paying it forward with her mother...

It's those moments..... Dub...you keep encouraging and inspiring... You are doing an amazing job... but then again.. i always knew you would.

These are two of my seeds.... I know they would be ok with me showing there face... but i blocked out anyway... Leslie is holding her pants.... and jessie is in the white jeans... (that was at 85lbs lost, she has lost 30 more since)

I don't begin to know how to thank you.

You were there in the very beginning for me. I was a wreck. I didn't know which way was up.

Your encouragement and insight was....and continues to be.....highly, highly valued and appreciated.

Be proud of what you have personally accomplished and take great pleasure in knowing the guidance you offered was taken to heart by the Leslies, Jessies and Gregs of your world. You were there for us and we are each in better places because of this.

Thank you so very much.