Tired of Oprah bashing

I finally watched her show on cross addiction I had taped and it was great.  it was not anti-WLS.  She clarified that these problems could happen with any rapid weight loss.  She stated that people often think that going into surgery that all their problems will be solved if they get thin.  She has probably experienced this.  The doctor on the show said that dealing with our problems has to take place before, during and after surgery.  I think it is arrogant to think we became morbidly obese without having any underlying problems.  She also said any addictive type behavior is a red flag that we have a problem. Some of the things they addressed apply to people who has addictive behavior whether or not they have had WLS such as when we have children we give up the right to destructive behavior. No one said we are all doomed to destructive behavior, far from it.  But I did come away fro the show realizing that I am not losing my last 40 pounds for a reason.  My therapist released me from care last summer after many years.  I made an appointment this morning to go back and get to the root of my problem.  Something is holding me back and it is not physical. Sometimes with shows like these we need to take what we need and leave the rest.  Maybe all we need is knowledge about other peoples suffering.  Many hugs, Loris

Bravo..... There is a thread on another site that is an addiction thread.  It becomes increasinly evident that we as a population have a problem.   I think we all better sit up and take note that as you say.... it isn't about the diet.  It is about what is between our ears and what is going on emotionally.

Thanks for listening and for your support. Hugs, Loris

Hiya Loris,      I'm a big Oprah fan.  As a non-op, I guess I don't perceive quite the same amount of bias against WLS from her as some of the others on the board do.  I found that episode very informative and only wished that she had included at least one non-op person who had lost a large amount of weight and had transferred addictions as well.  I wrote a very long post last week about all the transfer addictions I fight with on a continual basis.

Very good point about including a non-op.  Good luck on your journey.  Hugs, Loris

I personally am grateful that people are educating the general public about the risks of developing other addictions after wls ... Years ago, I made the choice to abstain from alcohol b/c so many people in my family have drinking problems; I wish someone had told me that I could abuse other things (in my case, food) in place of alcohol ... If I had been educated on that possibility, I may have not become obese and needed wls.   I think, unfortunately, many people need other people's approval ... They feel insecure if someone else doesn't support wls.  Me, personally, I don't care if any other person in the whole world supports my choice b/c I absolutely know that it was the right/only choice for me to regain my health and my life.  People have the right to be against wls ... I used to be against it until I found out the hard way that it is sometimes necessary ... Annette

Someone I highly respect is 29 years sober in AA.  He said transfer additions are very evident in AA.  Most people don't know that.  I wish you all good things.  Loris

I agree with annette I could care less who supports my choice to have WLS.  I have had the surgery and I would do it again.  I do have some problems health wise but I have faith that will get resolved.  As far a transfering addiction I think we need to be made aware of this.  I could see how it would be easy to slip into an addiction.  Great post Loris. Love ya Renee

Thanks Renee.  Loris

I was home recovering from plastic surgery so was able to watch this show.  I'm not a fan of Oprah, but I thought she did a decent job with the topic.  I get frustrated with people who expect any one show to cover all aspects of a topic.  The slice of the problem she presented was just that--a slice.  It was the story of what, two, three people?   The only point I would challenge her on was the rate of 30% of wls becoming alcoholics.  If anyone tries to do any research on almost any topic related to wls, you will find there just isn't enough research out there to make such "solid" claims.  This might be true of one study, but that is not generalizable at this point.   Otherwise, it was interesting.   No need to bash people who make points we don't like! Sally