The countdown has begun. Just over three days from now I’ll be jetting my way to Las Vegas again. It’s kind of hard to believe – a month ago I really didn’t think I would be going. But after blowing my chance to be at the OAC/Ethicon event in NYC last month… I decided I had to bite the bullet and make this happen.
It’s kind of ironic… my being laid off was the reason I thought I wouldn’t make it, but my crappy employment last year also made it possible to go because I ended up getting WAY more back on my taxes than I would have thought of. And while I should be saving the money… well… yea. Should and do are two different things.
I know I’ve only talked about this in passing, so for those who may have been under a rock somewhere, May 13-15 is the “Second Vegas WLS Meet & Greet”, the first was last February, when I wasn’t even one-year post-op. It was primarily folks from YouTube, but a group of us from BTV made our own good time of it. Met some great people, had some great times. It led to my BTV premiere and me doing a number of videos for them since (and yes, there are more to come… things have just been… hectic). So yea, I’m going again this year to see some “old friends” as well as meet some new ones that I’ve gotten to know over the last year. Unfortunately there will be some conspicuously absent friends from last year.
Last year there was maybe a hundred folks… this year things are a little bigger. Like, over three times bigger. This year the WLSFA has taken things over and turned in to a weekend event of socializing, entertainment, motivation, and more, giving it the multi-leveled, yet appropriate name of “The Mother of All Meet & Greets”.
So I’m also going because of my involvement with them. Early on I was asked if I wanted to do some sort of a round-table discussion or come up with something that would involve interacting with folks in the vendor room. At the time I had to decline, cause I honestly wasn’t expecting to attend. Now that I am… I debating on trying to do something, but what? Between really having no idea what to talk about, and being short on time… yea… not gonna happen. At least not in any organized sense of the word.
I do know Andrea of WLS Vitagarten is going to be hanging out chatting with folks on a fairly informal basis, and I told her I would hang with her to try and dole out some of my (limited) nutritional advice. Trust me, I’m far from an expert… but I think I have a few tricks up my sleeve that may be of use to some folks. Hopefully. Maybe.
On top of that, I hope to help out the BTV crew where ever, however possible. I’ll have my own video camera – maybe I can get some footage of things that Mike can work his wizardry with. Heck, maybe even help Toni and Lynnda out with some stuff in front of the camera. Ya never know.
There’s a couple speakers on Saturday I do want to get a chance to hear, as well as meet the speakers. Connie Stapleton for example… there’s some things I’m really hoping to chat with her about… some things we’ve started talking about in emails that I want to follow up on. And Joe from the OAC. He gave me some great starting info on obesity advocacy – originally I was going to be speaking with my Legislators about this stuff Thursday before flying out to Vegas, but they’re going to be on the floor all day, so that ain’t gonna happen. But I do want to pick Joe’s brain a bit more so I’m even better prepared for when I do get those meetings.
And then there’s the vendor’s. I’m looking forward to checking them out… seeing what they have going on. Making some connections maybe. This sort of starts getting in to the “What’s In It For Me?” part of the title.
We’ll be talking about this on the BTV Radio Show tonight, but there’s an article out in the UK about how just 20% of WLS patients are men (US is pretty much the same). For every four women, there’s one guy. Normally I wouldn’t complain about odds like that… but that’s gotta change. I’ve heard too many guys over the last couple years say they would have had surgery sooner if they’d know more guys that had gone through with this.
And yea, I guess… I think I can help change that. I wish I could just say it’s because I want to help others turn things around like I have. To be healthier, to live healthier, to be more … I wish I could just say I want to pay it forward.
Don’t get me wrong. I do. I really do want to help others (not just the dudes by the way). And I think I’m finally getting to be in a position where I can do so. In some ways I think I’ve been holding myself back, for a few reasons. First of all, the idea of me being an “inspiration” for others is… it’s a difficult concept for me to grasp. I don’t believe I’m doing anything particularly special. I’m just putting what I do more “out there”.
Second, I’ve seen too many others out there that I feel have been putting themselves before others in this game. Looking to make a buck on the backs of others. Don’t get me wrong. I’m hoping to make some money at this too. It’s why I got my nutritional certification, it’s why I’m going back to school, it’s why I’m starting my own nutritional coaching business, and it’s (part of) why I’m going to Vegas.
It’s about meeting people. Patients, post and pre-op, the “big names”, the vendors. It’s about making connections, it’s about getting my own name out there.
But where I hope to be different, is it is about the people first. I’ve been in “customer service” positions since I was in High School. Scratch that… I believe we ALL, no matter what our jobs, are in customer service. In some way, you, in your job, have a customer to keep happy. And I truly believe that if you satisfy your customer, the rest will fall in to place.
Ok, that’s an over-simplification that I can expand on another time, but it is the foundation I am trying to build upon.
Meeting all sorts of people will be a means to that end for me. Learning about what both pre-ops and post-ops are looking for as far as information and support. Learning what vendors, doctors and other “experts” have to offer those looking. Building up connections so I have those “experts” I can trust and turn to when I don’t have an answer. Building relationships so if I want to tackle something like a fund raiser for obesity related organizations I have sponsors I can turn to for help and lots of people I can tap in to.
And in order to do that, it is going to me putting myself out there. Getting out of my comfort zone, breaking (further) out of my shell, and just plain “doing it”.
So what do I get out of it in the end? Fame? Riches?
Well, one can dream.
For now, I’m still rediscovering who I am, what it is that I want, and looking to do something that is more than a job, something I can enjoy. In Vegas, I’m shooting for some connections, maybe even a few clients, learn new things, and in the end being able to make enough money that I can make it to Vegas again (and being able to bring the girlfriend) next year.
PS: I’m hoping to be doing as much “social media” updating as possible while I’m out there. Mostly through Twitter, but also on Facebook and with some posts here, and uploading photos to the WLSFA photo sharing site I set up. If you can’t make it out there, you can at least keep up to date.
And because I love this song… and it was used as the theme song to the Las Vegas TV show, I figured I’d share it (BTW, it’s a great song to walk/jog or do other exercise to!)
Although I am not a man, I enjoy reading your articles and recommend them to others. I do wish more men would jump on this bandwagon and have WLS. I witnessed this weekend with my husband and grown sons. since I have had VSG and they go to a buffet and I drink my water and eat later, they come back with plates and plates of food and I think, “Gross!” Glad for me anyway. My husband sure could use this procedure. We are short stature and he already has sleep apnea and on bp meds. I’m trying to get him to read your articles.
And I understand about the unemployment thing. I went back to school to be a Sleep Tech, program was not accredited so I am back to square one. Looking for any kind of job.
I am 4 weeks post op as of today and lost 26 pounds so far and lovin it!!
Congrats on your success so far! I have a couple of good friends that are sleep techs… keep trying, it can be rewarding work… both in helping folks and in the money you can make. As far as your Husband… he will make the choice that’s best for him when he’s ready, but he’s lucky to have you there supporting him in the mean time.