12 steppers and WLS (was; The woman in the mirror - )

[Guest guest]

rhonda.cox@r... wrote:

> I also am a member of Al-Anon. I have heard many different things

> about resentment. I also was a member of OA at one time. This

> friend of mine has also been a member of a couple of different 12-

> step programs, so she knows all of this stuff too. She has worked

> through the problems she was having about me having the surgery.

We

> have talked a few times since then. She is afraid to have any kind

> of surgery now because she is afraid she will die on the table. I

> have only shared with her what it has done for me. I have not

pushed

> her one way or the other to have it or not have it.

Hi Rhonda!

I'm Jenn, and I'm a compulsive overeater and sister 12-stepper.

I believe that that was the best way to handle the situation with

your friend... share your experience and allow her to come to her own

decisions in her own time.

For years I had been too scared to take the step and have WLS, due to

my mother almost dying from extreme malabsorption from the Jejuno-

Ileo bypass she had as WLS in the 70's. But when I did decide to

have the MGB, I did so with full confidence and no fear whatsoever.

I just needed to make up my own mind... and I'm glad I did when I did.

I'd been involved in OA for quite some time prior to having WLS. I'm

not active in face to face OA meetings any more, but am involved with

an online 12-step group for people who have had ANY type of WLS and

those who are considering/researching WLS.

Unlike the usual 12 step groups, " Cross talk, " is allowed, and we

consider WLS to be another tool for management of overeating. (A

tool that only we as individuals, in consultation with our Higher

Power can choose to use.) Also, expression of how our Higher Powers

as we see Him/Her/It in relation to our own journey is allowed,

rather, encouraged... nobody is expected to censor themself and not

talk about their perception of the Higher Power in their life....

whether they be Christian, Buddhist, Taoist, Wiccan, Native American

spirituality (which I am), eclectic, Agnostic, or whatever. We are

currently starting a step study and started with step one, " Admitting

our powerlessness over compulsive eating, " last Thursday.

Should anyone wish to have more info on the group, please feel free

to email me privately, and I will be glad to answer any inquiries.

This is not intended to be promotion, rather information to do with

as each wishes. *smile*

My best! Walk in Peace;

Jenn.... Vancouver, WA

MGB 11-1-00 #300

8-2-01 #194

106 gone!!