To Whom it May Concern...

[AmandaRaeLeo 2,146]

To whom it may concern:

Surgery is scary. Leaving the country can be scary. Leaving the country to have surgery?Terrifying.

Coordinators:

We don't need bogus reviews, paid reviews, vague reports of tragedy, and referral kickbacks out there amongst us muddying the waters. We need you to answer our questions... Honestly. We need you to hold our hands in spirit and in person whenever possible. We need you to represent your company and the surgeons who contract through said company with integrity and dignity. If you struggle defining those words or relating to them I suggest a career change.

Medical Tourists:

We need some solidarity. We are all, or have been, in the same boat. For whatever reason surgery at home isn't happening. We've made the bold decision to reclaim control over our obesity and we've kicked it up a notch.

All VST members:

We come from all walks of life. Various roads and life experiences have brought us all to this point. WLS. Many of us, if not all if us, have been criticized or teased regarding our weight issues. Many have felt "less than" because we are "more than". Why on earth are we attacking each other? What are we gaining from it?

Take a long look in the mirror. Tell yourself you are going to try and be the best *you* that you can be. And then... Live it. Own it.

“You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.”

― Ralph Waldo Emerson

[annaf 3]

Well said.

[SerendipityHappens 1,594]

Pffft... there she goes again, being all rational and stuff.

[AmandaRaeLeo 2,146]

Pffft... there she goes again' date=' being all rational and stuff.[/quote']

When its soooooooo overrated.

[Butterthebean 8,146]

Yeah...I think I liked you better when you were sticking your blue tongue out at everybody in disdain.

[AmandaRaeLeo 2,146]

Say wha?!

[Luv2bslim 11]

Bravo! Thank you for that post.

[AmandaRaeLeo 2,146]

Bravo! Thank you for that post.

Thank you. We call all be such an asset to each other but we've, collectively, lost sight of all that recently.

[tbrown9 8]

Amen!!!

[chickadee73 57]

Not here a whole lot and not sure what unsupportive activity is referenced, but I have been here long enough to realize that when Amanda posts, I read it, and I always like what she has to say. Including this.

[AmandaRaeLeo 2,146]

Not here a whole lot and not sure what unsupportive activity is referenced' date=' but I have been here long enough to realize that when Amanda posts, I read it, and I always like what she has to say. Including this. <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />[/quote']

Wow!! Thank you for that. I really appreciate it. You made me smile.

[HoosierGirl 780]

Amen my friend! Keep us straight!!!

[Ms.AntiBand 2,984]

YES

I'm a huge, unpaid, unsolicited, unknown, advocate for WLS in MX. Basically, because of the vast experience over state side surgeons. As patients, It's important to have extensive knowledge prior to going and it's a whole lot better with what you posted. Good job girl with blue tongue