Guest guest Posted October 24, 2006 Report Posted October 24, 2006 Wow, I guess I'm in for some big trouble according to Oprah. She's on TV now saying that " Thousands " of people who had this surgery are now alcoholic's, drug abusers, sleeping around on thier spouses etc. Apparently I only traded one addiction for another. I don't see that happening. Well Oprah, I had the surgery on 5 Sep this year and I'm doing great. Guess I'll just do the best I can for those people having problems and pray for them. Wish you all the best as always, this is a great site. Take care everyone! Quote
Guest guest Posted October 24, 2006 Report Posted October 24, 2006 I think there is a truth in the show. I think what Oprah is trying to do is create awareness. http://www2.oprah.com/tows/pastshows/200610/tows_past_20061024.jhtml I don't think EVERYONE can relate, but there are things to think about and a person having gone through the surgery needs to see a counselor or have a support group to turn to FOREVER. It is life changing (so I have been told). For a person like myself who is in the preop stages, I fear my addiction in spending. I LOVE Clothes. But I also recognized recently that I am always trying to " make-over " the outside and still not accepting the person on the inside. Since I decided to have surgery - I have not shopped for clothes and am doing with what I have. I think 's comment earlier - while in the PRE-OP - get your head straight. Who knows if in the future - we maybe seeing insurance companies having people go through therapy for 6 or so months. wrote: Wow, I guess I'm in for some big trouble according to Oprah. She's on TV now saying that " Thousands " of people who had this surgery are now alcoholic's, drug abusers, sleeping around on thier spouses etc. Apparently I only traded one addiction for another. I don't see that happening. Well Oprah, I had the surgery on 5 Sep this year and I'm doing great. Guess I'll just do the best I can for those people having problems and pray for them. Wish you all the best as always, this is a great site. Take care everyone! --------------------------------- Talk is cheap. Use Yahoo! Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates starting at 1¢/min. Quote
Guest guest Posted October 24, 2006 Report Posted October 24, 2006 I think there is a truth in the show. I think what Oprah is trying to do is create awareness. http://www2.oprah.com/tows/pastshows/200610/tows_past_20061024.jhtml I don't think EVERYONE can relate, but there are things to think about and a person having gone through the surgery needs to see a counselor or have a support group to turn to FOREVER. It is life changing (so I have been told). For a person like myself who is in the preop stages, I fear my addiction in spending. I LOVE Clothes. But I also recognized recently that I am always trying to " make-over " the outside and still not accepting the person on the inside. Since I decided to have surgery - I have not shopped for clothes and am doing with what I have. I think 's comment earlier - while in the PRE-OP - get your head straight. Who knows if in the future - we maybe seeing insurance companies having people go through therapy for 6 or so months. wrote: Wow, I guess I'm in for some big trouble according to Oprah. She's on TV now saying that " Thousands " of people who had this surgery are now alcoholic's, drug abusers, sleeping around on thier spouses etc. Apparently I only traded one addiction for another. I don't see that happening. Well Oprah, I had the surgery on 5 Sep this year and I'm doing great. Guess I'll just do the best I can for those people having problems and pray for them. Wish you all the best as always, this is a great site. Take care everyone! --------------------------------- Talk is cheap. Use Yahoo! Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates starting at 1¢/min. Quote
Guest guest Posted October 24, 2006 Report Posted October 24, 2006 I don't have a spouse does that mean I won't be able to experience the sleeping around? I used to drink quite a lot during my early 20s almost 20 years ago. I rarely drink now. I don't see this as a problem. I've never taken any drugs other than prescriptions and have never abused them. I dislike drugs and the feeling(s) I experience when taking them. Did Oprah have a source or was it her vast clinical experience she was referencing? > > Wow, I guess I'm in for some big trouble according to Oprah. She's on > TV now saying that " Thousands " of people who had this surgery are now > alcoholic's, drug abusers, sleeping around on thier spouses etc. > Apparently I only traded one addiction for another. I don't see that > happening. Well Oprah, I had the surgery on 5 Sep this year and I'm > doing great. Guess I'll just do the best I can for those people having > problems and pray for them. Wish you all the best as always, this is a > great site. Take care everyone! > Quote
Guest guest Posted October 24, 2006 Report Posted October 24, 2006 Ah well addiction is separate from WLS surgery. There's no surgery I'm aware of that will cure an addiction (other than maybe a labotomy). If you're addicted to anything you need to get therapy for it. Probably long term therapy. Mike in GR > Wow, I guess I'm in for some big trouble according to Oprah. She's on > TV now saying that " Thousands " of people who had this surgery are now > alcoholic's, drug abusers, sleeping around on thier spouses etc. > Apparently I only traded one addiction for another. I don't see that > happening. Well Oprah, I had the surgery on 5 Sep this year and I'm > doing great. Guess I'll just do the best I can for those people having > problems and pray for them. Wish you all the best as always, this is a > great site. Take care everyone! > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > Talk is cheap. Use Yahoo! Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates starting at 1¢/min. > > Quote
Guest guest Posted October 24, 2006 Report Posted October 24, 2006 Ah well addiction is separate from WLS surgery. There's no surgery I'm aware of that will cure an addiction (other than maybe a labotomy). If you're addicted to anything you need to get therapy for it. Probably long term therapy. Mike in GR > Wow, I guess I'm in for some big trouble according to Oprah. She's on > TV now saying that " Thousands " of people who had this surgery are now > alcoholic's, drug abusers, sleeping around on thier spouses etc. > Apparently I only traded one addiction for another. I don't see that > happening. Well Oprah, I had the surgery on 5 Sep this year and I'm > doing great. Guess I'll just do the best I can for those people having > problems and pray for them. Wish you all the best as always, this is a > great site. Take care everyone! > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > Talk is cheap. Use Yahoo! Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates starting at 1¢/min. > > Quote
Guest guest Posted October 26, 2006 Report Posted October 26, 2006 omg that gave me a headache hahaha sorry Mike. My mind just could not wrap around that. I am sure you have a point in there somewhere. Mike wrote: Ok its analogy time . Smoking is an addiction. So can be drinking in this example too but let's just stick to smoking. Let's say you only smoke when you go to the bar and drink/party. Otherwise you NEVER smoke. Maybe you can convince yourself you're not addicted or that it's not dangerous or that your second hand smoke doesn't KILL non-smokers like me. Whatever. Let's say you decide for whatever reason you want to quit smoking entirely. To do this you figure that you won't go to the bar anymore. The bar causes you to want to smoke so cut out the bar and wham bam no smoking. Let's say this works too except that now when you go out to dinner instead of the bar you want to drink more or, even better, EAT more. You start to gain weight or have alcohol addiction issues. You've substituted one addiction for another and yet you've cut out the source of the first addiction. To say that not going to the bar is causing you to shift from smoking to eating or drinking more is so illogical I can't accurately relate how silly the assertion is. It is just as false to claim that WLS has anything to do with other addictions. It is the ADDICTIONS and stopping them that leads to other addictions not the methods employed to stop the initial addictions that causes/leads to other addictions. I realize that maybe this is seen as splitting hairs. I mean surely the wls or the bar contributes to the initial addiction so that simply HAS to float down to any subsequent addictions right? I mean if the person in my example hadn't quit going to the bar or someone doesn't have wls then the new addictions wouldn't have come about because the person would never have stopped smoking (or eating/gaining weight) right? That is simply not correct. It is possible (albeit improbable) that a person addicted to smoking at the bar or eating/lethargy could change without stopping going to the bar or having wls, that alternative change would essential free them or at least control their initial addiction and THAT would then cause them to assume other addictions. Logical statements can be written in many ways as well and these other forms have identifying names: They are the biconditional, the converse, the inverse, and the contrapositive. Consider the following conditional statement: " If I try then I will succeed. " That is basically what people are claiming, " If I have wls surgery then I will transfer to other addictions. " The biconditional form for this given conditional statement would be: " I will succeed if and only if I try " . Consider, " I will transfer to other addictions if and only if I have wls. " Obviously this is false and illogical. The converse would be " If I succeed I try " . Again, " If I transfer addictions I have had wls surgery " That's not necessarily true because I'm sure you'd agree it doesn't take wls to transfer addictions in many people. The inverse would be: " If I do not try then I do not succeed " . Here we would have, " If I do not have wls then I will not transfer to other addictions. " This is completely inaccurate of course because you may find another way to control your initial addiction. Finally, the contrapositive would be: " If I do not succeed then I do not try. " or " If I do not transfer addictions then I did not have wls. " Of course this makes no sense whatsoever because people might not transfer addictions for a number of reasons. It's simply not possible for a conditional statement to be true while all the others are false. It's not logical. Mike in GR (sorry for the book again) > > I completely understand about the transfer addictions. I do have > addictive tendencies and overeating was part of the cause of my > weight gain. > I can personally see the relationship with WLS and other addictions. > I didn't watch Oprah. > > ~ > --------------------------------- All-new Yahoo! Mail - Fire up a more powerful email and get things done faster. --------------------------------- Stay in the know. Pulse on the new Yahoo.com. Check it out. Quote
Guest guest Posted October 26, 2006 Report Posted October 26, 2006 omg that gave me a headache hahaha sorry Mike. My mind just could not wrap around that. I am sure you have a point in there somewhere. Mike wrote: Ok its analogy time . Smoking is an addiction. So can be drinking in this example too but let's just stick to smoking. Let's say you only smoke when you go to the bar and drink/party. Otherwise you NEVER smoke. Maybe you can convince yourself you're not addicted or that it's not dangerous or that your second hand smoke doesn't KILL non-smokers like me. Whatever. Let's say you decide for whatever reason you want to quit smoking entirely. To do this you figure that you won't go to the bar anymore. The bar causes you to want to smoke so cut out the bar and wham bam no smoking. Let's say this works too except that now when you go out to dinner instead of the bar you want to drink more or, even better, EAT more. You start to gain weight or have alcohol addiction issues. You've substituted one addiction for another and yet you've cut out the source of the first addiction. To say that not going to the bar is causing you to shift from smoking to eating or drinking more is so illogical I can't accurately relate how silly the assertion is. It is just as false to claim that WLS has anything to do with other addictions. It is the ADDICTIONS and stopping them that leads to other addictions not the methods employed to stop the initial addictions that causes/leads to other addictions. I realize that maybe this is seen as splitting hairs. I mean surely the wls or the bar contributes to the initial addiction so that simply HAS to float down to any subsequent addictions right? I mean if the person in my example hadn't quit going to the bar or someone doesn't have wls then the new addictions wouldn't have come about because the person would never have stopped smoking (or eating/gaining weight) right? That is simply not correct. It is possible (albeit improbable) that a person addicted to smoking at the bar or eating/lethargy could change without stopping going to the bar or having wls, that alternative change would essential free them or at least control their initial addiction and THAT would then cause them to assume other addictions. Logical statements can be written in many ways as well and these other forms have identifying names: They are the biconditional, the converse, the inverse, and the contrapositive. Consider the following conditional statement: " If I try then I will succeed. " That is basically what people are claiming, " If I have wls surgery then I will transfer to other addictions. " The biconditional form for this given conditional statement would be: " I will succeed if and only if I try " . Consider, " I will transfer to other addictions if and only if I have wls. " Obviously this is false and illogical. The converse would be " If I succeed I try " . Again, " If I transfer addictions I have had wls surgery " That's not necessarily true because I'm sure you'd agree it doesn't take wls to transfer addictions in many people. The inverse would be: " If I do not try then I do not succeed " . Here we would have, " If I do not have wls then I will not transfer to other addictions. " This is completely inaccurate of course because you may find another way to control your initial addiction. Finally, the contrapositive would be: " If I do not succeed then I do not try. " or " If I do not transfer addictions then I did not have wls. " Of course this makes no sense whatsoever because people might not transfer addictions for a number of reasons. It's simply not possible for a conditional statement to be true while all the others are false. It's not logical. Mike in GR (sorry for the book again) > > I completely understand about the transfer addictions. I do have > addictive tendencies and overeating was part of the cause of my > weight gain. > I can personally see the relationship with WLS and other addictions. > I didn't watch Oprah. > > ~ > --------------------------------- All-new Yahoo! Mail - Fire up a more powerful email and get things done faster. --------------------------------- Stay in the know. Pulse on the new Yahoo.com. Check it out. Quote
Guest guest Posted October 27, 2006 Report Posted October 27, 2006 OMG...What's your point???? > > > > I completely understand about the transfer addictions. I do have > > addictive tendencies and overeating was part of the cause of my > > weight gain. > > I can personally see the relationship with WLS and other > addictions. > > I didn't watch Oprah. > > > > ~ > > > Quote
Guest guest Posted October 27, 2006 Report Posted October 27, 2006 Hi all -- I have read many of the posts made on this topic, and feel like I need to chime in a little. Since I do not post too much in this group any more, and there are so many new people that do not know me...let me give you a little history on me. I had RNY in April 2003. I went into surgery at 395 lbs, and in 16 mos lost 240. I currently maintain a weight of 160-165, and have done so for about 2 years now. I attended support group meetings religiously for a few months prior to surgery, and for over 3 years after surgery...often times hitting 2 meetings a week. I have worked in a bariatric surgeons office, given many informational seminars regarding the effects of obesity and the possible outcomes and complications of surgery. Taught pre-op classes for patients as well as rounded on patients in the hospital, and been a post-op support for a lot of people. I have a lot of clinic knowledge as well as personal experience regarding surgery. I had it, my mother had it, my husband had it...my mother married a man who's son had it (OMGoodness are holiday dinners different now than a few years ago)...I literally have over 1000 people I know well who have undergone WLS surgery in one aspect or another. OK -- so here's my take on the comments made about the Oprah show...understand I do not watch Oprah because I feel that she tends to focus on shock-value to gain ratings. That being said...here goes. WLS surgery is NOT a cure for obesity. Obesity is a chronic disease which needs to be monitored by the subject on a daily basis... forever. WLS is merely a tool to help one gain the control on hunger and appetite to aid in weight loss. Some people consider their eating to be an addiction, although there is no scientific proof that food- addiction actually exists. However, we all ate for more than hunger...we ate to mask pain, numb feelings of inadequacy or anxiety, show control over some aspect of our lives, out of lack of self respect to care for ourselves...you name it, some of us fit into that...and most of us fit into more than 1 category. Therefore, after WLS, we can no longer use food to hide behind, numb our feelings/pain, show control, etc. So -- if we do not get a handle on that part of our personality and behavior, it becomes very easy to transfer that behavior to another that we CAN use for comfort...like alcohol or drugs. Studies show that somewhere between 25 and 40% of WLS patients end up addicted to something else...so it is a very real issue that the addictive personality traits we used toward food can transfer to another substance. As well, it is well known in the addiction-medicine world, that cross-addiction is a common problem. A speed addict needs to abstain from ALL mind-altering drugs, including alcohol, pain meds, marijuana, etc. Because, addiction is a disease of the brain, and the brain will transfer the addiction to another substance very easily. WLS is very good at bringing out the extremes of relationships. If the relationship is good, it tends to become better -- if it is weak or unhealthy, it tends to fall apart. Whether it be a marriage, siblings, parent-child, or friends. No relationship goes unchanged. That also works with your relationship with yourself. If you are numbing yourself with food before surgery, you really need to be ready to seek counseling if you see (or someone who loves you sees) that same tendancey shift to alcohol, shopping, gambling, etc etc etc. I honestly believe that we all need to have a support system in place, and that system needs to include people who have and have not had this surgery. We need to have some type of counseling, whether it be in a group or individual situation -- or both. Remember that surgery is not just to lose weight -- it is to gain a healthy relationship with food, learn to live a healthier and longer life. And believe me -- there is more to that than jsut having the suze of yourstomach reduced! OK -- so the other point that I wanted to make is this -- we are ALL individuals. Just because there is the possibility of becoming dependant on drugs after WLS, does not mean that everyone will. Just because there is a chance that people will regain 15% of their excess weight long-term, does not mean that YOU need to. This is all information, and information is power. The more we have, the better we can use it to the advantage of ourselves and those that are important to us. Know that the possibility is there, and the tools to avoid it are available as well. Blessings to all -- Jodi'butter-butt' Brown(excuse me while I step down and slide the soap- box back under the bed so it is available to anyne who feels the need to use it. :- ) > > Wow, I guess I'm in for some big trouble according to Oprah. She's on > TV now saying that " Thousands " of people who had this surgery are now > alcoholic's, drug abusers, sleeping around on thier spouses etc. > Apparently I only traded one addiction for another. I don't see that > happening. Well Oprah, I had the surgery on 5 Sep this year and I'm > doing great. Guess I'll just do the best I can for those people having > problems and pray for them. Wish you all the best as always, this is a > great site. Take care everyone! > Quote
Guest guest Posted October 27, 2006 Report Posted October 27, 2006 My point is wls does not cause addiction transfer nor does wls cause addictions. If you have an addiction to food wls does not cure it. It may force you to not be able to fully realize that addiction and IF you are the type of personality to transfer addicitons then you might do just that (transfer the addiction to something else) but the WLS did not cause you to have the food addiction nor did it cause you to transfer it. Mike in GR > > > > > > I completely understand about the transfer addictions. I do have > > > addictive tendencies and overeating was part of the cause of my > > > weight gain. > > > I can personally see the relationship with WLS and other > > addictions. > > > I didn't watch Oprah. > > > > > > ~ > > > > > > Quote
Guest guest Posted October 27, 2006 Report Posted October 27, 2006 Mike is that you posting with another name?? LOL...... Re: Oprah > Hi all -- > I have read many of the posts made on this topic, and feel like I need > to chime in a little. > Since I do not post too much in this group any more, and there are so > many new people that do not know me...let me give you a little history > on me. I had RNY in April 2003. I went into surgery at 395 lbs, and > in 16 mos lost 240. I currently maintain a weight of 160-165, and > have done so for about 2 years now. I attended support group meetings > religiously for a few months prior to surgery, and for over 3 years > after surgery...often times hitting 2 meetings a week. I have worked > in a bariatric surgeons office, given many informational seminars > regarding the effects of obesity and the possible outcomes and > complications of surgery. Taught pre-op classes for patients as well > as rounded on patients in the hospital, and been a post-op support for > a lot of people. I have a lot of clinic knowledge as well as personal > experience regarding surgery. I had it, my mother had it, my husband > had it...my mother married a man who's son had it (OMGoodness are > holiday dinners different now than a few years ago)...I literally have > over 1000 people I know well who have undergone WLS surgery in one > aspect or another. > OK -- so here's my take on the comments made about the Oprah > show...understand I do not watch Oprah because I feel that she tends > to focus on shock-value to gain ratings. That being said...here goes. > > WLS surgery is NOT a cure for obesity. Obesity is a chronic disease > which needs to be monitored by the subject on a daily basis... > forever. WLS is merely a tool to help one gain the control on hunger > and appetite to aid in weight loss. Some people consider their eating > to be an addiction, although there is no scientific proof that food- > addiction actually exists. However, we all ate for more than > hunger...we ate to mask pain, numb feelings of inadequacy or anxiety, > show control over some aspect of our lives, out of lack of self > respect to care for ourselves...you name it, some of us fit into > that...and most of us fit into more than 1 category. > Therefore, after WLS, we can no longer use food to hide behind, numb > our feelings/pain, show control, etc. So -- if we do not get a handle > on that part of our personality and behavior, it becomes very easy to > transfer that behavior to another that we CAN use for comfort...like > alcohol or drugs. Studies show that somewhere between 25 and 40% of > WLS patients end up addicted to something else...so it is a very real > issue that the addictive personality traits we used toward food can > transfer to another substance. As well, it is well known in the > addiction-medicine world, that cross-addiction is a common problem. A > speed addict needs to abstain from ALL mind-altering drugs, including > alcohol, pain meds, marijuana, etc. Because, addiction is a disease > of the brain, and the brain will transfer the addiction to another > substance very easily. > WLS is very good at bringing out the extremes of relationships. If > the relationship is good, it tends to become better -- if it is weak > or unhealthy, it tends to fall apart. Whether it be a marriage, > siblings, parent-child, or friends. No relationship goes unchanged. > That also works with your relationship with yourself. If you are > numbing yourself with food before surgery, you really need to be ready > to seek counseling if you see (or someone who loves you sees) that > same tendancey shift to alcohol, shopping, gambling, etc etc etc. I > honestly believe that we all need to have a support system in place, > and that system needs to include people who have and have not had this > surgery. We need to have some type of counseling, whether it be in a > group or individual situation -- or both. Remember that surgery is > not just to lose weight -- it is to gain a healthy relationship with > food, learn to live a healthier and longer life. And believe me -- > there is more to that than jsut having the suze of yourstomach reduced! > > OK -- so the other point that I wanted to make is this -- we are ALL > individuals. Just because there is the possibility of becoming > dependant on drugs after WLS, does not mean that everyone will. Just > because there is a chance that people will regain 15% of their excess > weight long-term, does not mean that YOU need to. This is all > information, and information is power. The more we have, the better > we can use it to the advantage of ourselves and those that are > important to us. Know that the possibility is there, and the tools to > avoid it are available as well. > Blessings to all -- > Jodi'butter-butt' Brown(excuse me while I step down and slide the soap- > box back under the bed so it is available to anyne who feels the need > to use it. :- ) > > > > > >> >> Wow, I guess I'm in for some big trouble according to Oprah. She's > on >> TV now saying that " Thousands " of people who had this surgery are > now >> alcoholic's, drug abusers, sleeping around on thier spouses etc. >> Apparently I only traded one addiction for another. I don't see that >> happening. Well Oprah, I had the surgery on 5 Sep this year and I'm >> doing great. Guess I'll just do the best I can for those people > having >> problems and pray for them. Wish you all the best as always, this is > a >> great site. Take care everyone! >> > > > > > > We are a very active support group. > If the email becomes overwhelming, > please change your setting to NO EMAIL! > Please contact Group Creator > Robyn@... > > > Quote
Guest guest Posted October 27, 2006 Report Posted October 27, 2006 Thanks for the CHIME! and for putting WLS in this prespective! Jackie T. hmmmm -- only my friends know wrote: Hi all -- I have read many of the posts made on this topic, and feel like I need to chime in a little. Since I do not post too much in this group any more, and there are so many new people that do not know me...let me give you a little history on me. I had RNY in April 2003. I went into surgery at 395 lbs, and in 16 mos lost 240. I currently maintain a weight of 160-165, and have done so for about 2 years now. I attended support group meetings religiously for a few months prior to surgery, and for over 3 years after surgery...often times hitting 2 meetings a week. I have worked in a bariatric surgeons office, given many informational seminars regarding the effects of obesity and the possible outcomes and complications of surgery. Taught pre-op classes for patients as well as rounded on patients in the hospital, and been a post-op support for a lot of people. I have a lot of clinic knowledge as well as personal experience regarding surgery. I had it, my mother had it, my husband had it...my mother married a man who's son had it (OMGoodness are holiday dinners different now than a few years ago)...I literally have over 1000 people I know well who have undergone WLS surgery in one aspect or another. OK -- so here's my take on the comments made about the Oprah show...understand I do not watch Oprah because I feel that she tends to focus on shock-value to gain ratings. That being said...here goes. WLS surgery is NOT a cure for obesity. Obesity is a chronic disease which needs to be monitored by the subject on a daily basis... forever. WLS is merely a tool to help one gain the control on hunger and appetite to aid in weight loss. Some people consider their eating to be an addiction, although there is no scientific proof that food- addiction actually exists. However, we all ate for more than hunger...we ate to mask pain, numb feelings of inadequacy or anxiety, show control over some aspect of our lives, out of lack of self respect to care for ourselves...you name it, some of us fit into that...and most of us fit into more than 1 category. Therefore, after WLS, we can no longer use food to hide behind, numb our feelings/pain, show control, etc. So -- if we do not get a handle on that part of our personality and behavior, it becomes very easy to transfer that behavior to another that we CAN use for comfort...like alcohol or drugs. Studies show that somewhere between 25 and 40% of WLS patients end up addicted to something else...so it is a very real issue that the addictive personality traits we used toward food can transfer to another substance. As well, it is well known in the addiction-medicine world, that cross-addiction is a common problem. A speed addict needs to abstain from ALL mind-altering drugs, including alcohol, pain meds, marijuana, etc. Because, addiction is a disease of the brain, and the brain will transfer the addiction to another substance very easily. WLS is very good at bringing out the extremes of relationships. If the relationship is good, it tends to become better -- if it is weak or unhealthy, it tends to fall apart. Whether it be a marriage, siblings, parent-child, or friends. No relationship goes unchanged. That also works with your relationship with yourself. If you are numbing yourself with food before surgery, you really need to be ready to seek counseling if you see (or someone who loves you sees) that same tendancey shift to alcohol, shopping, gambling, etc etc etc. I honestly believe that we all need to have a support system in place, and that system needs to include people who have and have not had this surgery. We need to have some type of counseling, whether it be in a group or individual situation -- or both. Remember that surgery is not just to lose weight -- it is to gain a healthy relationship with food, learn to live a healthier and longer life. And believe me -- there is more to that than jsut having the suze of yourstomach reduced! OK -- so the other point that I wanted to make is this -- we are ALL individuals. Just because there is the possibility of becoming dependant on drugs after WLS, does not mean that everyone will. Just because there is a chance that people will regain 15% of their excess weight long-term, does not mean that YOU need to. This is all information, and information is power. The more we have, the better we can use it to the advantage of ourselves and those that are important to us. Know that the possibility is there, and the tools to avoid it are available as well. Blessings to all -- Jodi'butter-butt' Brown(excuse me while I step down and slide the soap- box back under the bed so it is available to anyne who feels the need to use it. :- ) > > Wow, I guess I'm in for some big trouble according to Oprah. She's on > TV now saying that " Thousands " of people who had this surgery are now > alcoholic's, drug abusers, sleeping around on thier spouses etc. > Apparently I only traded one addiction for another. I don't see that > happening. Well Oprah, I had the surgery on 5 Sep this year and I'm > doing great. Guess I'll just do the best I can for those people having > problems and pray for them. Wish you all the best as always, this is a > great site. Take care everyone! > --------------------------------- Stay in the know. Pulse on the new Yahoo.com. Check it out. --------------------------------- Stay in the know. Pulse on the new Yahoo.com. Check it out. Quote
Guest guest Posted October 27, 2006 Report Posted October 27, 2006 Thanks for the CHIME! and for putting WLS in this prespective! Jackie T. hmmmm -- only my friends know wrote: Hi all -- I have read many of the posts made on this topic, and feel like I need to chime in a little. Since I do not post too much in this group any more, and there are so many new people that do not know me...let me give you a little history on me. I had RNY in April 2003. I went into surgery at 395 lbs, and in 16 mos lost 240. I currently maintain a weight of 160-165, and have done so for about 2 years now. I attended support group meetings religiously for a few months prior to surgery, and for over 3 years after surgery...often times hitting 2 meetings a week. I have worked in a bariatric surgeons office, given many informational seminars regarding the effects of obesity and the possible outcomes and complications of surgery. Taught pre-op classes for patients as well as rounded on patients in the hospital, and been a post-op support for a lot of people. I have a lot of clinic knowledge as well as personal experience regarding surgery. I had it, my mother had it, my husband had it...my mother married a man who's son had it (OMGoodness are holiday dinners different now than a few years ago)...I literally have over 1000 people I know well who have undergone WLS surgery in one aspect or another. OK -- so here's my take on the comments made about the Oprah show...understand I do not watch Oprah because I feel that she tends to focus on shock-value to gain ratings. That being said...here goes. WLS surgery is NOT a cure for obesity. Obesity is a chronic disease which needs to be monitored by the subject on a daily basis... forever. WLS is merely a tool to help one gain the control on hunger and appetite to aid in weight loss. Some people consider their eating to be an addiction, although there is no scientific proof that food- addiction actually exists. However, we all ate for more than hunger...we ate to mask pain, numb feelings of inadequacy or anxiety, show control over some aspect of our lives, out of lack of self respect to care for ourselves...you name it, some of us fit into that...and most of us fit into more than 1 category. Therefore, after WLS, we can no longer use food to hide behind, numb our feelings/pain, show control, etc. So -- if we do not get a handle on that part of our personality and behavior, it becomes very easy to transfer that behavior to another that we CAN use for comfort...like alcohol or drugs. Studies show that somewhere between 25 and 40% of WLS patients end up addicted to something else...so it is a very real issue that the addictive personality traits we used toward food can transfer to another substance. As well, it is well known in the addiction-medicine world, that cross-addiction is a common problem. A speed addict needs to abstain from ALL mind-altering drugs, including alcohol, pain meds, marijuana, etc. Because, addiction is a disease of the brain, and the brain will transfer the addiction to another substance very easily. WLS is very good at bringing out the extremes of relationships. If the relationship is good, it tends to become better -- if it is weak or unhealthy, it tends to fall apart. Whether it be a marriage, siblings, parent-child, or friends. No relationship goes unchanged. That also works with your relationship with yourself. If you are numbing yourself with food before surgery, you really need to be ready to seek counseling if you see (or someone who loves you sees) that same tendancey shift to alcohol, shopping, gambling, etc etc etc. I honestly believe that we all need to have a support system in place, and that system needs to include people who have and have not had this surgery. We need to have some type of counseling, whether it be in a group or individual situation -- or both. Remember that surgery is not just to lose weight -- it is to gain a healthy relationship with food, learn to live a healthier and longer life. And believe me -- there is more to that than jsut having the suze of yourstomach reduced! OK -- so the other point that I wanted to make is this -- we are ALL individuals. Just because there is the possibility of becoming dependant on drugs after WLS, does not mean that everyone will. Just because there is a chance that people will regain 15% of their excess weight long-term, does not mean that YOU need to. This is all information, and information is power. The more we have, the better we can use it to the advantage of ourselves and those that are important to us. Know that the possibility is there, and the tools to avoid it are available as well. Blessings to all -- Jodi'butter-butt' Brown(excuse me while I step down and slide the soap- box back under the bed so it is available to anyne who feels the need to use it. :- ) > > Wow, I guess I'm in for some big trouble according to Oprah. She's on > TV now saying that " Thousands " of people who had this surgery are now > alcoholic's, drug abusers, sleeping around on thier spouses etc. > Apparently I only traded one addiction for another. I don't see that > happening. Well Oprah, I had the surgery on 5 Sep this year and I'm > doing great. Guess I'll just do the best I can for those people having > problems and pray for them. Wish you all the best as always, this is a > great site. Take care everyone! > --------------------------------- Stay in the know. Pulse on the new Yahoo.com. Check it out. --------------------------------- Stay in the know. Pulse on the new Yahoo.com. Check it out. Quote
Guest guest Posted October 27, 2006 Report Posted October 27, 2006 Thanks for the CHIME! and for putting WLS in this prespective! Jackie T. hmmmm -- only my friends know wrote: Hi all -- I have read many of the posts made on this topic, and feel like I need to chime in a little. Since I do not post too much in this group any more, and there are so many new people that do not know me...let me give you a little history on me. I had RNY in April 2003. I went into surgery at 395 lbs, and in 16 mos lost 240. I currently maintain a weight of 160-165, and have done so for about 2 years now. I attended support group meetings religiously for a few months prior to surgery, and for over 3 years after surgery...often times hitting 2 meetings a week. I have worked in a bariatric surgeons office, given many informational seminars regarding the effects of obesity and the possible outcomes and complications of surgery. Taught pre-op classes for patients as well as rounded on patients in the hospital, and been a post-op support for a lot of people. I have a lot of clinic knowledge as well as personal experience regarding surgery. I had it, my mother had it, my husband had it...my mother married a man who's son had it (OMGoodness are holiday dinners different now than a few years ago)...I literally have over 1000 people I know well who have undergone WLS surgery in one aspect or another. OK -- so here's my take on the comments made about the Oprah show...understand I do not watch Oprah because I feel that she tends to focus on shock-value to gain ratings. That being said...here goes. WLS surgery is NOT a cure for obesity. Obesity is a chronic disease which needs to be monitored by the subject on a daily basis... forever. WLS is merely a tool to help one gain the control on hunger and appetite to aid in weight loss. Some people consider their eating to be an addiction, although there is no scientific proof that food- addiction actually exists. However, we all ate for more than hunger...we ate to mask pain, numb feelings of inadequacy or anxiety, show control over some aspect of our lives, out of lack of self respect to care for ourselves...you name it, some of us fit into that...and most of us fit into more than 1 category. Therefore, after WLS, we can no longer use food to hide behind, numb our feelings/pain, show control, etc. So -- if we do not get a handle on that part of our personality and behavior, it becomes very easy to transfer that behavior to another that we CAN use for comfort...like alcohol or drugs. Studies show that somewhere between 25 and 40% of WLS patients end up addicted to something else...so it is a very real issue that the addictive personality traits we used toward food can transfer to another substance. As well, it is well known in the addiction-medicine world, that cross-addiction is a common problem. A speed addict needs to abstain from ALL mind-altering drugs, including alcohol, pain meds, marijuana, etc. Because, addiction is a disease of the brain, and the brain will transfer the addiction to another substance very easily. WLS is very good at bringing out the extremes of relationships. If the relationship is good, it tends to become better -- if it is weak or unhealthy, it tends to fall apart. Whether it be a marriage, siblings, parent-child, or friends. No relationship goes unchanged. That also works with your relationship with yourself. If you are numbing yourself with food before surgery, you really need to be ready to seek counseling if you see (or someone who loves you sees) that same tendancey shift to alcohol, shopping, gambling, etc etc etc. I honestly believe that we all need to have a support system in place, and that system needs to include people who have and have not had this surgery. We need to have some type of counseling, whether it be in a group or individual situation -- or both. Remember that surgery is not just to lose weight -- it is to gain a healthy relationship with food, learn to live a healthier and longer life. And believe me -- there is more to that than jsut having the suze of yourstomach reduced! OK -- so the other point that I wanted to make is this -- we are ALL individuals. Just because there is the possibility of becoming dependant on drugs after WLS, does not mean that everyone will. Just because there is a chance that people will regain 15% of their excess weight long-term, does not mean that YOU need to. This is all information, and information is power. The more we have, the better we can use it to the advantage of ourselves and those that are important to us. Know that the possibility is there, and the tools to avoid it are available as well. Blessings to all -- Jodi'butter-butt' Brown(excuse me while I step down and slide the soap- box back under the bed so it is available to anyne who feels the need to use it. :- ) > > Wow, I guess I'm in for some big trouble according to Oprah. She's on > TV now saying that " Thousands " of people who had this surgery are now > alcoholic's, drug abusers, sleeping around on thier spouses etc. > Apparently I only traded one addiction for another. I don't see that > happening. Well Oprah, I had the surgery on 5 Sep this year and I'm > doing great. Guess I'll just do the best I can for those people having > problems and pray for them. Wish you all the best as always, this is a > great site. Take care everyone! > --------------------------------- Stay in the know. Pulse on the new Yahoo.com. Check it out. --------------------------------- Stay in the know. Pulse on the new Yahoo.com. Check it out. Quote
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