An Invitation to Share Your Story, or Someone Else’s!

Do you Facebook? Probably. Do you use Facebook as a support tool for obesity care or post bariatric support? If not, you should! These resources are a great way to keep up to date with your caregivers, with peers, and with science. It is far easier than going to individual webpages on a regular basis.

An even better way to get to an ” index” view of information is Twitter. If you still have not joined because of the “teen/celebrity” effect, prepare to be surprised! The great thing about Twitter is how efficient you can be sorting through whatever looks valuable, since most posts are brief “headlines” with link to source blog or article. Then you can either share forward with a comment or hashtag for a group that might be interested (like #wls or #obesity), or using the original article to share back with Facebook pals.

Don’t feel pressure to talk about yourself, but know that your story is valuable (especially when delivered in person to an elected representative !)

Please join us in any way you feel comfortable. A great way to start this through the ASMBS site ThisTimeItCounts.com with a short video. I highly recommend it for inspiration, and to give you material to share with others. Every journey is valuable, and worth sharing!

PS – sharing someone else’s story doesn’t mean a fellow patient – it means retweeting 🙂

Below are some of my favorite Twitter sources. Most of them can also be followed on Facebook if you prefer. Happy Sharing!

@preegerc– the great Reeger Cortell’s Weight Loss Surgery Podcast!
@Eggface – the indispensible Michelle Vicari leading patient blog
@MMBBGC – the indispensible Beth Sheldon-Badore “Melting Mama”
@mcnee – Rob Portinga’s postop journey, and journalism!
@asmbs – American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
@ConscienHealth – Ted Kyles daily obesity policy and science blog
@NeilFlochMD – the most active bariatric surgeon I know of for sharing info
@DrSharma – Canada’s best science source
@YoniFreedhoff – Canada’s best health policy source
@UConnRuddCenter – awesome work on Bias in Medical practice, and in public
@strong4surgery – initiative to best prepare patients for surgical stress
@bariatricpal – online community
@obesity_help – online community
@ywmoac – links to Your Weight Matters convention and magazine (disclosure – I am on planning committee)
@ObesityAction – Link to Obesity Action Coalition (disclosure – I am on Board of Directors)
@LindstromAppeal – the leader in insurance appeal work
@NYTimesHealth – article links
@NYTimesWell – blog links
@wlsDailyPlate – Cassie Story RD
@SurgeonGeneral
@ObesityMedicine – the American Board of Obesity Medicine
@ObesitySociety – the great research organization (obesity.org)
@bonuslife – That’s me!

Don’t forget to follow the ASMBS Foundation and the Walk from Obesity!
@ASMBSFoundation
@WalkfromObesity

Article Written by:
Walter S. Medlin, MD
ASMBS Public Education Committee