Overeaters Anonymous

I've been to one Overeaters Anonymous meeting and plan on going to my second one tomorrow. So far it's a little strange because at the first meeting I was the only male in the room. I plan to shop around for a group with at least one other male in the mix. I've been wondering if any of you are involved in OA or if you've ever attended a meeting and what you thought of it. I've heard of some post-op folks who use OA as their support group. Thoughts? Mars

I read the OA 12 Steps book long ago. While there's no question compulsive (emotional) eating is addictive behavior, I wonder how basically the same 12 steps (including the bit about asking forgiveness, etc.) applies? I'm involved in a monthly WLS Support Group through my doc. But wanting to make this WLS work for a lifetime, I'm interested in what anyone else has to say about OA, etc.

track down scott..good luck

Didn't OA tell Scott he needed to piisss in his ice cream to eliminate the temptation?

Lots of good that did.  I have about 8 gallons in the freezer as we speak.    Unfortunately it only eliminated it for that particular ice cream.

I had the DS so that I wouldn't have to deal with OA...lol.  I'm defintely not OA material, they'd toss my ass out on the street. Scott

 < imaging Scottie passing out cookies to everyone at the meeting >    but seriously, I've wondered about the efficacy of OA, since eating is a natural and indeed essential bodily function, unlike, e.g., alcohol, cigarette or drug intake ..  I would think of it akin to someting like "Overbreathers Anonymous" ..    Hi, I'm Paul and I'm an overbreather ..  I breathe way too hard ...  I vow that in the future I will only breathe half as much as I do now ..    ! 

Your profile says you're hoping to have surgery. If that is the case then I'd find a RNY support group, assuming you want that type of surgery.  These groups are typically sponsored by surgical offices, but there are others out there that are not associated with any surgeon. I attended support meetings prior to my RNY surgery. You get a better feel of the first few weeks of the post op period by listening to recent post ops talk about their experiences. This may save you from making some mistakes after surgery, or help guide you through the whole process as effortly as possible. Surgery is only the tool, you still have to make decisions on eating habits, drinking fluids, taking vitamins, doing exercise, etc. 

Actually, I met my first in-person OAer the other night at, of all places, a support group meeting for depressed lawyers ..   And yes, it was a lady ..  She introduced herself to me at the meeting, as I was sitting next to her ..  I wanted to ask her about OA, but didn't know whether that was an appropriate place to do so, so I didn't ..    If OA is anything like our depression group meetings are, it must be kinda intimidating b/c everyone has to say their name before speaking, admit what their problem is, wait for everyone to say "hi X", and then, after they get done talking, have everyone say "thank you X" ..   I found that format so intimidating I just kept my mouth shut all evening (I know, HARD for me to do!   &:-D)  )  

A depressed lawyer?! I didn't know sharks had emotions. j/k  ( I feel so bad I took that once rich but now poor guy to the cleaners. His wife now has everything and all I got out of it was a lousy 30% and a bowjob! I'm depressed I should of held out for more... Yeah like 3 *******s and a house cleanin.)