Emotional topic (long)

I just got finished watching Maury and he had on people who have lost over half their size. He just told their story and then out they came. Retold the story and off they went. It was never said how they lost it or anything. But it was the headlines that got me..I used to fat and dumpy now I'm sexy and skinny. I know everyone on this site can relate. We have an eating disorder but society can take the blame for most of the obesity issues that is now plagueing us. Think about it..We have many decisions to make when going to the grocery store. You have and option either pay cheap for food that is fattening and bad for your health (why make it anyway?) or pay up the ass for healthy foods that keep you at a normal weight. The greed and power hungry make these foods addicting so that again we have a round about effect. Just like cigarettes..and alcohol...it all makes us have to go to the doctor eventually. Which in turn makes us have to pay for pharmacy or DM equipment. Then again we go back out and eat this food because it has and additive in it that makes us. Yet society puts the overweight in a "unhealthy or bad" catagory and over does the showing of skinny women as if to shame us. The only time a big women is shown is for "special reasons" We don't see them in ad, television, movies, singers, athletes, etc..they make it so we are "special". It is a shame that society feels that color is the only racist thing in america. It really isn't. We don't see many rehabs for food addicts. 28 days to recovery..overnight somewhere to help people who are addicted to food to overcome what their issues are. Learn to eat healthy, drink water, eath controlled portions, read lables.excercise.etc. We have to resort to cutting our bodies to become healthy and even it isn't a cure all. We still have the issues that plagued us before getting cut open. The head hunger, the food addiction..after surgery..what is next? Ultimately we feel this is it..if this doens' work then it's death..no one wants to be fat like most people think..We need to somehow get the fattening food off the market..why make it at all if it is unhealthy for you? Its like cigarettes..we know for a FACT it is cancer causing..yet we keep manufacturing it..to make someone rich for the demand..yet a pill (phen phen) that helped the obese lose weight with only some people getting sick from it from not doing what they were supposed to do while on it gets pull so fast from the market it made my head spin. This subject has made me cry..today..because I still have food issues..this surgery never ended that and it is an ongoing battle. Demons. They are not good demons. And we should not have to fight them like we are. McDonalds trys to become healthy but we all know they are not..no matter how much they have that fruit salad out..it is still on the board next to the milkshakes and the burgers. What good is it? The only choices we should have in restuarants, fast food, grocery stores are healthy choices. They change my kids lunch menu at school to fit into what is healthy..it does no good though if in the next hall is the vending machine..full of candy and crap..and they aren't getting the same at home. It defeats the whole purpose. We all need to get on the same page..Obesity will be at least at a smaller rate than what it is. Some folks benefit some don't but we are talking about life. And before we all know it our life may be taken from us before we have lived. I'm out for now..thanks for listening.

I didn't get to see the show but if it is the one I am thinking of there was a person from the website on there. She is a WLS patient as well. I cannot remember her name.

Is it Julie Hedges? Here is her website: http://www.e-dreamerz.net/JULIE_WEIGHT_PAGE/

There are so many issues raised in this posting that I'm not even going to try to address them all. I really do understand your frustrations - today was my first day back at work and everyone has a million questions for me. The first thing I talked about was how carefully I'm monitoring everything I eat and drink, exercise, and vitamins. I didn't talk much about the surgery, and I think it's mostly because I don't want them to think this is an easy solution for me. Another lady I work with (large office) had the lap band last year and started gaining weight back after the first six months, so now everyone thinks this is not only easy but ineffective. We have to handle, in some way, the social prejudices of not only weight but WLS. Anyway, the food issues are demons we've all got to deal with; there is no way to circumvent that. I'm so jealous of the insurance companies and doctors that support counseling/therapy for their patients. You might want to ask your doctor for a referral, because it does sound like you're really suffering with this. I also wonder about your support system at home. Are the important people in your life making these lifestyle changes with you? It has made a huge difference for me that my husband and kids are eating the same foods as I am (with the occasional exception) and we talk openly about portion control and which foods are healthy for us. We talk more about food now, and I feel like I'm finally able to provide a positive role model to teach them a better way to live. We also walk together most evenings. Please don't think for a second that I'm discounting your pain. It's so apparent that this is a horrible reality for you. But like with cigarettes, you have to make the choice everyday to do what is best for you and your family. Temptation is everywhere, sex, drugs, food, and the only way to battle your demon is to replace them with something that is not only satisfying at the time, but helps you to feel better about yourself and the "big picture". This surgery is not about being "sexy and skinny", it's about bringing out the best, healthiest you possible, so that you can really LIVE your life and not be weighted down by these demons anymore. Would you ever want to be one of those people who allow themselves to be exploited for ratings, anyway? This journey has only just begun for us. As we take each step in recovering from the surgery, we have to find positive ways of dealing with these demons as they come up. I see it as a way of becoming reacquainted with myself. Many of us have used food to avoid issues, and now that we don't have that buffer, we will have to address them and find our own answers. A counselor, therapist, clergymember, or trusted (and patient) friend/family member can help you to identify the underlying issues and find ways to deal with them and replace the behaviors with ones you want. I don't mean to ramble (again) but I really do hope to help. Good Luck, Kristie