Hello everyone!

I have a question I hope ya'll can help me with that's bothering me. Tonight at our TOPS meeting one of the members said she was fixing to have gastric bypass surgery in a couple of months. Will she still be allowed to go to TOPS? It just doesn't seem fair to me if she does this and receives awards for it over other people who are doing it the old fashioned way. I don't mean to make anyone angry but this is just the way I feel. What do ya'll think about it?

The rules were changed a few years ago and YES, since this is a doctor prescibed weight loss plan for this person, TOPS allows all recognition to be given. I do wish they had 2 categories for weight loss, because the ones that are going to be 'big' winners will likely be those that have had the surgury, leaving the ones that do it the 'Sensible' way behind. [Our 2001 State Queen had the surgury] Therefore I hope TOPS will make it fair for everyone. Maybe your chapter can make adjustments for 'in chapter contests' you may have.

Whatever it takes for a person to get healthier, the doctor has the right to decide and I am not one to judge the method. It's not an easy surgury and 1/200 never make it through alive.

I feel the same as Summer and she and I have talked about this several times. Our Queen this year had the surgery and I have another lady in my chapter who just became a KOP. I addressed the issue at a chapter level. We gave two prizes in the division that each lady was in. We give division prizes each week. But at the yearly level both ladies of course took 1st place. Nothing I can do about that but at a chapter level you can make adjustments so all receive credit for their efforts.
The surgery can be a life saver and under the right circumstances has saved many lives. It is not an easy out.

I understand how you all feel, however, the state of mind has to be there too. They do have an advantage somewhat. However, We have a lady in our group that had the surgery, due to medical reasons. Her intestines weren't working the way they should for one, another, she couldn't breath. They even debated on doing the surgery. She had the surgery last Nov. the doctor wants her to have so much weight gone by next month. She is about 26 pounds behind schedule. Last night, and at Christmas she gained. Not a .25 of a pound, a couple of pounds. I thought this would be impossible to do. But apparently it isn't. This could take her a long time to get to goal. Just like we have to have a good frame of mind, so do they. Just because the physcial being is taken care of, doesn't mean the mental part is taken care of. We all over eat for various reasons, and if we don't address those issues, the weight will either not come off, or come back on. I'm living proof of both. I lost 110 pounds years ago, but with a marriage that failed, getting pregnant, and not being active, and not dealing with the inside of me, I put 100 pounds back on. I like fatty foods, I like to eat for all occasions. It took some time, but I was still able to do it, and it wastn't till I got to that point of being so far over, that I figured I had to do things differently this time. I'm still working on the issues, but i'm getting better at it, and I'm losing it slower this time.

I do agree that they should have 2 catagories though. This would eleminate any possible issues in a later date.

I think having two categories is a great idea. That way no one's feelings get hurt.

Our chapter had an upset member last night who missed out on Best Loser of the Week because she is also an active member of Weight Watchers. She came back 3 weeks ago after being away without excuse since September last year. Her renewal is this coming April, and she had paid her dues to the end of December, so she just started in again as if she hadn't been gone. She has been doing great, but so have others (new members) who, as far as we know, are doing it "the old fashioned way". It is really an honor system, as who is going to be checking up on everyone, and how would you do that anyway?? We (the weight recorders and I)talked to her about it and explained the TOPS rules, but when it came time to say how much she lost, she had tears in her eyes and said she lost, but didn't give the total. (it was 6 1/2 pounds). She did win last week with 6 3/4 lbs lost, but I did not know she was going to WW, and the weight recorder did, but did not think about it disqualifying her. Someone else won last night with 5 lb. lost. We give a dollar gift and the tiara to wear for the evening, so it's not a big monetary thing. I guess if she is offended and does not return it won't be a big loss to our Chapter as she was not committed in any way - never volunteered to do a single thing in all the time I have known her.

Anyway, due to that, all the members know about the disqualification rules if they didn't before!