Oprah Feedback Wanted!!!!

So I don't post often anymore, I guess life has just gotten in the way. I do though log on to read up on everyone and I am glad to see everyone is doing well. I myself am great, haven't been to a hospital in ages, gained some weight back from when I was sick which is fine and I have my ducks in a row! Eating right, ok not exercising but I will get there in due time and really enjoying all NYC has to offer! Want to thank Karen I for bringing last nights Oprah to all of our attention. I did watch it and I know how I felt about it (will fill you all in later), but I was curious what other people thought. So this is a forum, I want to hear people's opinions! Love to all! BTW, please feel free to check out the picture I posted just taken last weekend at the NY Botanical Gardens! Ilyssa 268/164 1 year 4 months post-op!

I also watched the Oprah show last night to my son's chagrin. I don't always like her sanctimonious, holier than thou attitude, but I do think she has interesting people and topics on her show. I thought the problem with the show was that it showed a negative side of WLS and the transfer of addictions without also promoting the positives of it. I am an addict, my whole family is addicted to something or other so I understand the transfer of addictions. I went through a shopping frenzy a few months afer my surgery, through Ebay, but reined myself in before having to sell my first born to pay off the bills. I agree very much with Carnie Wilson when she said that the woman who drank heavily needed to be surrounded by a support group and she had to share her experiences. That's why I think support groups are a very important part of our "recovery" program with WLS. And who understands our tragedies and triumphs better than someone who has walked in our shoes. I've been told by my support groups that WLS is a tool and not the magic cure and I totally understand that. I feel as tho you either fix your head and lose weight, or with WLS, lose weight and fix your head, but either way, the reason for the weight gain has to be addressed or recovery might not be successful. Overall, I thought the show was good, but I wonder what the statistics are that show how many people transfer addictions, what percentage of the WLS population is affected by this. I also think she should have tempered it with more balance because this can scare people off. I also watched a show last night about a woman who had WLS surgery and lost about 200 lbs. I think it was on Discovery or The Learning Channel. I felt much better about that because this was a more positive story. Thanks for posting this, I was curious to get feedback on this, too. Sue

Thanks Sue, I see I don't really need to post what I was feeling b/c you hit the nail on the head. My friend and I just sat there yelling at the TV "STOP F***ING DRINK" and "GET THERAPY"! I am curious about the actual stats behind the transfering of addictions and WLS, guess we have to keep our eyes and ears peeled for that. Look I would guess 50 - 70% of us have some sort of addiction, we all didn't get to be our weights from eating popcorn! Thanks for posting! Ilyssa

Ilyssa, Thanks for posting this hun. ~hugs~ I did not get to see the show but did talk to a friend tha****ched it, well this is a very important subject I think. People need to understand that if they do not deal with their food addiction that it can transfer to other things. I am working with a counselor myself to deal with addiction, I was spending money on new clothes and shoes to get my "new" high but thank goodness that I noticed this was getting out of hand and we are dealing with the transfer of addictions now!!! I know I am an addictive person so I do have to watch! I would also like to know how many people have transfered addictions that had WLS. This seems to be getting so much attention right now and maybe that is a good thing since this can lead us right back to the eating addiction itself, I know for myself when I had the WLS I was thinking I can NOT eat any of these things that got me fat after surgery but I was WRONG and I think others need to know that. I know for a fact that the GOOD outweighs the bad for me but with more knowledge would have been better before going into this surgery. I for one am glad to see that people are talking about this and making it known. Debra P

Thanks Debra for your post! I really do believe we all need to watch out for addictions in life. Our society makes things too easy for us. More and more rehabs, BAD snack foods in the vending machines, several bars on every block and drug dealers who make house calls! Gosh what is this world coming to! LOL! But seriously we all need to becareful regardless of WLS or not! Ilyssa

Hi, Ilyssa. I watched the show and was pretty shocked about the alcohol addictions. I knew about addiction transferral, but I had no idea people COULD drink after WLS. I'm only 4 months out and can't fathom putting alcohol into my sensitive tummy ever! The one thing Oprah said that pis-ed me off, though, was that people are having WLS routinely, like going to the dentist. She has no idea what some of us go through to get the surgery. It's not routine, and not simple to do! But, whatever, she's the billionaire, not me! Traci

Hi Traci, Welcome to the losing side of WLS! I knew that people do and could drink, but I didn't try anything until I was about 9 months out. Even now, I only drink about once a month or so. Sometimes more sometimes less, but on average AND I can only handle 2 drinks well, anything more and I am HAMMERED!!!!! I was very annoyed w/ everything Oprah was saying and just kept yelling at the TV! Thanks! Ilyssa

Can I comment on your comment about Oprah's comment with people having surgery routinely............. I agree with her......... I am 15 months post-op and I have seen patients go through this weight loss surgery and put themselves through a tough walk without knowing what they are doing because some people take this as a quick fix. I have seen people in our groups, in my family etc go through this surgery because they wanted it, not because they needed it and now one of them has regrets. Some people don't take this surgery seriously until they go through it and findout they really didn't want it. Some people want to be like others and have what others have and in the end can't handle it. So Oprah is right by saying what she said. For some people, it is routine because they don't do their research first. For some poeple in our surgeon's practice, came for surgery, not really needing it and int he end their surgery got cancelled cause they can't comply with the rules. Our surgeons are strict in a way that if you can't handle a program before surgery, how can you handle it after surgery, so they cancel or postpone your surgery and they have done ti to many. Oh wel. JMO Marie

Hi, Marie. I hear what you're saying. I agree that some people go in unprepared and some don't really need it. The program I started out in was very strict, and they wouldn't even see you if you didn't meet their standards of need from a written evaluation! I guess for people like me, who did their homework, what she said feels like a slap in the face. You know what, though? I've decided I don't really care what she thinks. It's like Kenny said, her life-cir****tances are WAY different from mine. Maybe I'd have done better with a personal chef and personal trainer... who knows? Take care. Traci

I think Oprah is doing the media thing and looking for all the negative hype for WLS. Granted are there isssues with people who transfer addictions...yes, but is that the biggest issue for WLS patients post op? I don't think so, if anything the biggest issues are dealing with being a "new" person, and how people relate to you. Sure you have a small percentage that go off the deep end, but that can happen with any major life change. Just look at people who have just recently lost a love one. Oprah has made her opinion of WLS abundently clear, time and time again. She is not for it, she doesn't support it, and she thinks it's the "easy way out" (that is a direct quote). So what if it is the easy way out? Should I have stayed 500 lbs because you don't agree wtih the way I lost weight? Pesonally I think Oprah is jealous that she didn't have WLS. I mean she's gained and lost weight at least once every 2 years since she's had the show. Someone should have DS'ed her butt a long time ago..then she shouldn't have had a problem with weight regain...LOL...or at least lap band her head...maybe it will strink a bit..because it's gotten to big. Scott