The Oprah Show

Hello Everyone, I saw the show today regarding addictions after weight loss surgery. While it was very informative regarding alcoholism after weight loss surgery, it almost sounded as though Oprah was bashing weight loss surgery as a quick fix. Dr. Robin was astonished at the fact that the guests who were on the show only met with the psychiatrist one time prior to their surgery. While I do agree that WLS isn't going to solve the deep root of our problems with obesity, I feel that Oprah should have had success stories to even the playing field. What are your thoughts?

I'm so tired of the whole "reason behind the fat" theory Oprah ascribes to. I mean, for some people, I absolutely agree that they are fat as a result of some trauma in their life. But why can't I be fat JUST because I like cheesecake? I grew up in a loving - but fat - family. I had a great - but fat - childhood. I'm happily married to a wonderful - but fat - guy. No one beat me, molested me, assaulted me, attacked me, made me feel less than worthy. I just like to eat. The end. No Dr. Phil needed here. I like the fact that Carnie Wilson admitted she had always been addicted to something - I think that was helpful. But not everyone who is fat is using food to cover up. Sometimes, we're fat because we use food to celebrate life.

Isn't that the truth...Our environment can also make us fat. I know that with my family, my mom cooks a big Sunday dinner. Now with the holidays coming, it's going to be very challenging to stay on track. I know that for Thanksgiving, one of the traditions is wearing stretch pants so that we have room to breathe after eating such a big feast. While my eating habits are better today than they were six month ago when I had my surgery, I too enjoy food, but now with a smaller stomach I also appreciate every bite and savor the taste.

Anna, OMG you are so funny! I love your post! I am sure there are certain reasons for some...but for most, its just like you said!!!

BRAVO!!!! ANNA!!!!! I am the SAME. I am fat because my family celebrates life with food! I come from a very happy, functional, loving FAT family who love to eat! We love Thanksgiving for the stuffing and mushrooms, we LOVE christmas for the cookies and all of the italian specialties we have, we LOVE birthdays because we go to the favorite resturant of our choice...etc. I love to eat, but Im DONE being fat. I dont need Dr. Phil either. I just need DR DAVIS to do my surgery in November. again...B R A V O!

One of my friends *completely* got on my case after this show, saying how she was afraid that I'd swap one addiction for another. Then she told me to start counseling, because the desire to eat an entire cake isn't "normal". Bull. The desire to eat an entire cake isn't healthy, but I think that if it wasn't normal, then it would be a lot less common! I told her that everyone I talk to stresses after care, and that includes support groups, and that we were done talking about this now. I haven't even got insurance approval for surgery yet, and already I'm dealing with the doubters. I shouldn't have told her.

Tami: I see you have Cigna as your insuror & are having denial issues. If you continue to have problems, let me know. I can refer you to someone who can write an appeal for you. She wrote mine & I was approved in about 72 hours after they received it. Dr. Nusbaum is *the* best! P~

I have to agree with Anna also. I had a great childhood, a supportive family and loved to eat. Still do, except now it's small portions and I'm careful what I eat. Oprah is lucky to have had a cook and personal trainer to help her lose her weight. WLS is not an easy way out. I failed at all diets. WIth WLS I've kept 165 pounds off for 3 years now. It's the only type of weight reduction that I've had success with. There are a lot of us with great WLS stories and then there's some of us who have had bad experiences. It's like everything in life. Cathy