Anyone see the oprah episode 12/7 about WLS's?

Howdy everyone, My friends and family know that I am working on having the RNY.  I am still waiting for my surgery date...I have already saw the dietitan, am seeing the pshycatrist, started my phone classes that Health Partners is requiring. I have had 2 of my closest friends call me and beg me not to have this surgery because of what they saw on Oprah on December 7.  I guess she had people on the show that had WLS and since the surgery and weight loss they have a new addiction...being drugs, alcohol, gambling or even addicted to the strip clubs. I wasnt able to see the show, so just wondering if anyone of you saw the show and what they thought? I told my friends that I appreciate their calls, but I was doing the surgery to be healty for myself and mainly for my family.  My family is number one and there would be no way I would jeapordize anything to lose that, so they have no worries.  :) Take care and talk to you all soon. Happy Holidays ~Jodi~

I have seen that show they have had a few on about that. It hasn't changed my mind one bit. Those are some extreme cases and they don't happen to everyone. It was my friends who had surgery as well that were proof that this could sucede and not be addicted to something else that help me decide. Besides the support group meeting that I recently attended reassured me even more. Friends and family mean well but unless they walked in your shoes they can't understand. Best of Luck Jennifer 

I saw the show and was VERY disappointed with Oprah.  Oprah had a few people on who are having problems with drinking since the surgery. It appears they did not have much counseling before the surgery.  Oprah has not mentioned that there are success stories out there. She has a personal bias against WLS and lets her feelings be known.

Check out the post about Oprah on Dec 7th.  It's on page 4 Go with your gut feeling and don't listen to her, yes people do have problems agter WLS but didn't we all before?!?  I sure did, I ate too much. LOL Tammy

I personally think that the folks on this show didn't have the proper support systems in place both pre and post op.  I think that they thought this surgery would solve EVERY problem in their life.  But, to make up you own mind follow this link.  There are snips of the show you can read! http://www2.oprah.com/tows/pastshows/200610/tows_past_200610 24.jhtml

Nothing on the show was a surprise to me.  The PNC program specifically brings up addiction transfer and to watch for it.  Oprah did say that 30% of people will have problems.  But what she didn't say is that 70% don't.  And of the 30%, how many would have had these problems even if they didn't have the surgery.   As long as you are confortable with your decision, you have to worry about you and not the feelings of others.  Take care of you!!!

There is the possiblity of ANYONE who has ANY type of BODY SHAPE ALTERING surgery going through this type of issue. Women who have breast augmentation simply because they want bigger breasts go through addiction issues as well as self esteem issues. People who have had traumatic injuries from accidents that finaly have a surgery that "fixes" the issue have reports of their personalities totally changing. Why doesn't Opera have any stories about that??? People who have WLS and then have a transfer addiction issue had that issue before, it was called FOOD ADDICTION. Of course if you take away their addiction and they go through withdrawls, ie: our last supper, some peope who are not mentally ready for this surgery may struggle, It does not mean they are weak, it does not mean they are bad. They simply have a personality that is prone to addiction, and need to make sure that they are properly prepared for this possibility. That's why there is such a focus on the psych eval prior to approval. And look at al the sucesses here, obviously some of us struggle, and we use this forum to be held accountable for it. Obviously not all of us go through this, and for those who do, we help each other get through it and make [suggestions for people who are strugging. Shame on Opera for only showing one side of this issue!!!!

My mother was all shook up by the show- called me up and asked about it- I told her mom everything is going to be fine.  I don't drink, do drugs, and i'm not going to start- If  I should have an addiction i think i'll make it being addicted to cleaning my house.  My mother laughed and said , "Yes, That would be a good addiction for you." 

Yes i did see the Oprah show, i am a recovering alcoholic and the most important person on that show was the therapist and Carnie Wilson, please let everyone concerned know that the 1st lady on the show with her daughter and her husband is still wanting to blame someone or something for her behavior, she needs to admit that she has a problem and needs help, that she is not willing to do she does not want to stop when she said she was sexually abused by a family member that is the real reason she is drinking she is not dealing with the pain from the past.  She used to use food to self medicate, then now alcohol, even if she were to stop drinking and not deal with the pain from her past she will turn to another form of addiction, until she deals with the real reason for the pain.  I do know this 1st hand similar situation.  I thank god daily for surgery and bringing me to treatment, for i got to the bottom of my true pain when they made me deal with everything in my life the good and the bad.  I hope this post will help explain things to family and friends who saw the show.   Enjoy your journey to WLS this is only the beginning and you will have more people say not to have the surgery because of things they have heard, remember it is you and your doctors decision! peace, Kimmie D

Thank you all for your encouragement!!  I believe I am doing the right thing, like someone said I have an addiction and it's food and it needs to stop.  I cant wait to be on the losers bench :) Happy Holidays!! ~Jodi~