Question:
Do you think this is a good way to promote WLS?
Last week I sold a bunch of junk at the flea market and watched all the MOs walking by many struggling to get around. I have more junk to sell and was thinking of hanging up a pre op picture of me, with a sign if you want to know how I lost the weight feel free to ask. Do you think this is appropiate? I would have a mini bio of some of my profile, along with contsact info here and my surgeon. I figure while I am sitting there making a few bucks I can ake some new friends and perhaps even help others. — bob-haller (posted on June 30, 2003)
June 29, 2003
I do not see anything wrong with that. I practically scream from the roof
tops HEY I HAD WLS ASK ME IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. I think it is a great
non aggressive way to promote surgery, show people that you can really have
a normal life after WLS and to have someone that really understands your
fears and concerns be there. Good for you!
— Stephanie B.
June 29, 2003
That sounds like a great idea, Bob. Especially, since there are so many
misconceptions about WLS floating around out there. It is great to see
people living "normal" lives, looking a happy and healthy!
— teresa M.
June 29, 2003
Great idea!!! I will have to remember that one next garage sale. Take care.
— April G.
June 29, 2003
Appropriate? Absolutely not. I personally don't think it's right for
people to evangelize their WLS.
— TMF
June 29, 2003
Bob - I think it's a good idea (despite what "T F" thinks *G*).
I just wouldn't get overly aggressive in pushing it. Maybe even just
hanging the pre-op and post-op picture side-by-side is enough to get people
to ask without the sign...JR
— John Rushton
June 29, 2003
Add me to the "great idea" column. TF is right about evangelizing
but this is more than appropriate. You are just offering to give
information.
— Deborah B.
June 29, 2003
Bob, Why not! Yes, it sounds like a great idea. If I had had any info on
this kind of help years ago. I sure would of done it then. I think if
anyone is interested they will come to you, because you opened yourself up.
so they will feel comfortble asking. by the way Im so proud about having a
successful wls and doing well in my loss that I also wanted to let the
world know. All I came up with was having a pen made. saying "I
SURVIVED WLS" then I have my date 12/6/02 under it. It's a large red
button with large black letterings I pin it on my pocket book. Alot of
people ask what does WLS mean. and I tell them. And everytime it starts up
a good conversation. Anyhow I say go for it. Let us know what happens.
— Naes Wls J.
June 30, 2003
I think that is a very nice way to maybe get people interested in the
surgery without being obnoxious. I would caution you, though, about giving
out the information on your surgeon. (He might not appreciate THAT much new
business!) If you have a computer, you might consider printing some
business cards with your name and phone number (if you wish) or the web
address for obesityhelp.com. My DH and I were at King's Island this
weekend and I wish I could set up a booth there! Whoa, buddy, more than a
few folks that could use the surgery! And just this morning, coming into
work, I watched a very nicely dress MO lady coming into work with her
oxygen tank. She still had to stop and catch her breath. I really felt
sorry for her. (That's the kind of person you want to run up to and start
telling them about weight loss surgery. Not that I would ever do that.)
— koogy
June 30, 2003
I think that is a very nice way to maybe get people interested in the
surgery without being obnoxious. I would caution you, though, about giving
out the information on your surgeon. (He might not appreciate THAT much new
business!) If you have a computer, you might consider printing some
business cards with your name and phone number (if you wish) or the web
address for obesityhelp.com. My DH and I were at King's Island this
weekend and I wish I could set up a booth there! Whoa, buddy, more than a
few folks that could use the surgery! And just this morning, coming into
work, I watched a very nicely dress MO lady coming into work with her
oxygen tank. She still had to stop and catch her breath. I really felt
sorry for her. (That's the kind of person you want to run up to and start
telling them about weight loss surgery. Not that I would ever do that.)
— koogy
June 30, 2003
Bob, coming from you, yes it would be appropriate. If it wasn't for you, I
would never gotten through my early post-op. You give the best advice. You
ARE very helpful.Take care.
— Debbie W.
June 30, 2003
Sounds good to me! I also have one of the obesityhelp.com bumper stickers,
and as soon as my family lets me I am going to put it on the bumper!!
— Tim W.
June 30, 2003
Bob, What an excellent idea, go for it!!!!
— Kriola
June 30, 2003
I also think it is a good idea. I would not give the surgeons information
out unless you have his permission. I would also print up a few cards that
people can take with your email address on it. I know I would never have
enough nerve to ask you about WLS- I mean someone might hear me and then
pass judgment- I am sure alot of pre-ops have low self esteem, however, if
a card is available for them to email you- I am sure you would get alot of
response!!Good luck- I think it is so sad to see MO people who are
suffering when this has been a great journey for me and am sure many
others. I wish more PCM's would also bring up WLS.
— Jan S.
June 30, 2003
Ahh...if only telemarketers worked this way!! : ) I agree with one of the
previous posters..this is a non-agressive way to inform people of WLS. If
they want to ask, they can, if not, they don't feel embarassed by someone
in their face telling them they are obviously overweight and surgery may be
an answer. Some people don't have insurance or perhaps have already been
denied. There are some MO's that are proud to be MO and don't want to lose
weight. There is even a club I've seen online (can't remember the name)
that is for MO's who are proud and against WLS. I say whatever floats their
boat. Anyway, I think your "non agressive" approach is a good
idea. Good Luck.
— J. W.
June 30, 2003
I think this approach is much better than walking up to someone unsolicited
to talk about the surgery, but I still don't think this is a good idea.
When I was M.O., I saw commercials, advertisements (even on telephone polls
-- "call 555-1234 to lose 40 pounds in a month!", etc.), and
other ads advising me of great ways to lose weight. Over the years, I came
to learn that anything that had to be advertised that way was probably not
effective (I tried so many of them!). If I was poking about at garage or
sidewalk sale, I really wouldn't be looking for weight loss plans -- it's
kinda not the right setting (or the most credible). I'd wonder "what
was in it" for the person urging me to ask about their weight loss.
Terrible to be so cynical, I know, but given the emotions behind being
M.O., the constant advertising of ineffective methods, the notion that
people are always noticing your weight even when you're just trying to go
about the normal business of living, the painful history of failures many
M.O.'s have, and the proposed setting, I dunno, it just doesn't "speak
to me" as an idea. Plus, I'd be real self-conscious about my weight
if I approached someone who had that sign up (if I approached them at all)
just to buy something at the sale, out of fear I'd get an unsolicited
speech about weight loss surgery (you may not intend to do that unless
asked, but anyone approaching you won't really know that for sure). Plus,
I'd agree with those who caution against advertising on behalf of your
surgeon in this way, without running it by him first -- as a professional,
he may not want his services advertised this way (and as a stranger, I'd
wonder about a doc who'd allow it, and it would be an early strike against
him in my book as a professional). I hate to be such a nattering nabob of
negativism -- and this is a creative twist of an idea with a good heart
behind it -- but I just don't think we should be looking so darned hard for
ways to tell other people how to run or improve their lives when all they
want to do is go out and have a nice morning browsing at a sale. Just my
(respectful and perhaps a bit cranky) opinion.
— Suzy C.
June 30, 2003
bob, you are such a compassionate, caring man & i admire you
tremendously. you are truly one of AMOS'S angels. i also, see M.O.'s &
immediately empathize with them (silently of course) having 'been there,
done that'& now i am lucky enuf to have 'left there, wont do it again'.
it is so hard to squelch the urge to approach people & say 'listen to
me. there is help for you in the medical community.' & then to tell
them about WLS. when the opportunity arises & it allows me to get on my
WLS soapbox, i do it in a heartbeat. Big BUT here...i never ever tell
anything except my own story & i never give out the names of WLS
surgeons. what i DO do is this...i write on a piece of paper my email
address - feel free to email me anytime if you have any questions about
WLS. under that i write...OBESITYHELP.COM - the best internet resource for
researching WLS. CHECK IT OUT! as soon as i can afford ink for my printer i
am going to print my 'WLS Success Cards' & give them to anyone who
expresses interest in learning more. i think my b & a pic will inspire
a person to at least looking at AMOS. i have already been an inspiration to
my dear brother in law who is 1 year post op & down 140 lbs & to a
dear friend who is 6 mos post op & down 100 lbs. the feeling of knowing
it was i, who helped turn their lives around, is indescribable! if you are
in a position to help someone, i say GO FOR IT! but, instead of hanging a
sign, why not wear an AMOS t-shirt & put your WLS Success Cards in a
very noticable place on your table. since you will be in the people's
faces, so to speak, they cant help but notice your shirt. your shirt will
serve as a conversation opener & if they express real interest, you can
hand them one of your cards. if someone comes along but, is too shy to ask
questions or embarrassed to have someone 'hearing' them being interested,
they can discreetly pick up one of your cards. in my humble opinion, i
think this would be the more tactful way of 'advertising' our wonderful new
lives. whatever you decide, i wish you the best of luck & a prosperous
weekend at the flea market.
— sheryl titone
June 30, 2003
GREAT IDEA!! I'm going to do the same thing, now! :~) I've been trying to
figure out how to help others out, too, and can't stand the thought of
approaching them first... I thought about making a button or t-shirt with
my pics on them and saying, "Lose weight now, Ask me how! I'm not
selling anything, either!" With, of course, the obesityhelp.com
website underneath! :~) OR... perhaps, "Watch me Shrink!" Like
I have on my email signature! :~) Great Idea!!
— Sharon M. B.
June 30, 2003
I appreciate ALL the comments! Oddly enough if you have sold stuff at a
flea market sales are better when more folks are at your booth. I thought
this idea might help increase sales but it wasnt why I was doing it at all.
I rountinely give my surgeons name and phone number out when asked but I
will run it by him at tomorrows support group meeting. My goal is truly to
help others!
— bob-haller
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