Diary of a Fat Girl

We both know that your WLS reality is much different than mine...and I have always appreciated your honesty.

I was there, and I'm pretty sure no one at Ethicon is loving me all that much right now. I had posted about it:

http://divatauniablog.com/2011/04/obesity-online-forum-conference-review-or-how-to-not-make-any-powerful-friends.html

Hey -

Let me clarify something. The discussion about EES paying for our trip is a requirement by the FTC put forth in 2009. You can read about it here -

http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/10/endortest.shtm

"The revised Guides also add new examples to illustrate the long standing principle that “material connections” (sometimes payments or free products) between advertisers and endorsers – connections that consumers would not expect – must be disclosed. These examples address what constitutes an endorsement when the message is conveyed by bloggers or other “word-of-mouth” marketers. The revised Guides specify that while decisions will be reached on a case-by-case basis, the post of a blogger who receives cash or in-kind payment to review a product is considered an endorsement. Thus, bloggers who make an endorsement must disclose the material connections they share with the seller of the product or service. Likewise, if a company refers in an advertisement to the findings of a research organization that conducted research sponsored by the company, the advertisement must disclose the connection between the advertiser and the research organization. And a paid endorsement – like any other advertisement – is deceptive if it makes false or misleading claims. "

This includes paid-for travel.

If a company sends me a sample to review? I have to disclose it. Same difference.

I can tell you that several of us (Kaitlin Nelson, Beth, Michelle) were NOT buying some of what was being sold. We're skeptics, and BBGs at heart. I can tell you that I even asked outright "WHy are you paying for us to come there?" because it just did not seem normal to me.

I will state that EES did not push a surgery. They did not push their band, did not push anything. There was discussion of a sleeve case they are showcasing (which you'll notice I did not link.. feels too coerced.. but that's just me). But there was nothing that was said "Please go out and push surgery." I NEVER will sell surgery. And I'll never buy bullshit about the nutritional deficiencies like I was told. I truly am an advocate for people who weren't there - because I've struggled with my surgery and I've known too many others who have as well.

ANd neither will those intelligent ladies I mentioned above.

We may never get invited again for failing to toe the company line - but I can tell you that we didn't necessarily buy everything shoveled.

But I will say - it was a nice vacation. Up until the whole "sleeping in the airport" thing.. and "coming home to a town destroyed by tornado" thing.

If you have any questions, please feel free to find me and ask. I'm an open book and willing to share anything I can.