Question:
Has anyone heard of the theory that we inherit our fat genes only from our mother?

I heard this a week or two ago on TV, but I can't remember where or when exactly, so I might not even have this all down correctly. But it was said that we inherit our fat genes from our mothers because we get her mitochondria from the egg cell, and it's the mitochondria that's responsible for energy production & metabolism. My mother is skinny, so I guess that means I'm fat because I was nothing but a gluttonous, lazy, good-for-nothing pig. When I look back at all the times I binged & stuffed myself with food, then this description seems to apply to me. I hope I didn't knock anyone out there. I'm just feeling down about myself. I guess it's that good ol' post-op depression setting in. I had my surgery (open distal RNY) on 5/21/01, almost 5 weeks ago, and I keep getting these thoughts that I'm failing; that I'm gaining instead of loosing (I don't weigh myself 'cause I don't have a scale to fit me; I wait till I go to the dr's); that I will be one of the ones that this surgery won't work for. Though, if the above theory is correct, then I should be able to loose quickly, since my mother is skinny, right?    — lalasmommy (posted on June 23, 2001)

June 23, 2001
I can understand feeling so badly about yourself but putting yourself down like you did will not help. You took a very positive, major step in having the surgery. Whatever caused you to be overweight (genes, overeating because of depression, etc) is not the point now. The point is you've done something about it and you should feel very good about yourself for taking such a positive step. At 5 weeks post-op you can't be coming close to eating the amounts of food you ate before your surgery. You should be happy about that alone, even if the scale hasn't moved - but, I'm sure the scale has moved and I suggest you go to your doctor's office just to use their scale to weight yourself. I'm sure they won't mind if you explain that you don't have a scale to use, and you'll see that you are losing, and much more than you think. I'm 10 weeks post-op from Lap/Rny and still feel very bloated in my tummy from the surgery, even though I've lost 45 lbs. Sometimes I still feel like I haven't lost even though the scale says I have. I think we still have a negative mental image of ourselves from being overweight for such a long time. We have to work on changing our mental image of ourselves by saying nice, positive things because we are a different person now. But, please remember that you should not center your success around how fast the scale moves, but that you're eating less than you ate before and it's a permanent, positive and healthy change. I think you're right when you say you're in the middle of post-op depression and like your extra weight, the depression will also go awy with time. Be patient and be kind to yourself. You deserve it.
   — [Anonymous]

June 23, 2001
Hmmm...if that theory was right, why am I the only daughter in the family and the only child that didn't inherit my mom's thyroid problem? Mom was very thin until she hit menopause. Now, at 71 and after 4 kids, well, she's plump, but she has never been obese. <p> That aside, let's work on playing some different tapes, Alexandra! I used to do the same...I could hear inside my head "fat, lazy, ugly, !@#$@, !@#$#, !@#$#..." Next time you feel that way, you need to come up with different adjectives, "fabulous, wonderful, caring, thoughtful, intelligent..." Pretty soon, you won't hear those nasty words anymore. Anonymous said it well - look forward to all the wonderful changes you have in store for you and put the past behind. You will soar! Good luck and God Bless!
   — Allie B.

June 23, 2001
dont i just WISH i inherited my fat genes from my mother. cause then i would be a perfect size 14 with an hourglass figure!!!!! i did, in fact, inherit my fathers fat genes. from his mother to present day 80% of his side of the family were or are morbidly obese. most of them died of their co-morbids. the ones who still live (my generation of cousins) suffer from their co-morbids, as i do, all the same symptoms. it doesnt matter who we inherit from. we need to concentrate on the fact that we r taking positive steps to help ourselves live longer, healthier & happier lives.
   — sheryl titone