Re: OA's opinion of Obesity Surgery/Joy/Leny

August 1, 2001

I find myself compelled to post for the first time in months. Let me

say first of all that I have been in 12 step recovery programs for

years OA and AA. I am not an expert by any means but I was very

active in OA just after " gray " sheet and when we had " the Dignity of

Choice. " I spoke at lots of meetings and intergroup conferences and

loved the program. I stopped with OA probably about 8 yrs ago when I

could not come out of a relapse.

When I first went to OA there was no " fat Serenity " . It was a pick a

food plan, stick to it, and work the steps mentality back then. The

thing is, it worked. It worked for me for years and I maintained

about a 120 lb weight loss. What happened? I think I lost out on the

program when it got goofy. We were so intent on not offending anyone

that suddenly it didn't matter if you were abstinent or not. We had

compulsive shoppers at our meetings, anorexics who weighed 75 lbs

talking about compulsively overeating because they had a piece of

lettuce. It basically got to a place which I think just sucked.

The singleness of purpose was gone. No OA is not a diet and calories

club but compulsive overeaters went there to lose weight first and

foremost. And some of us in the beginning were willing to go to any

length to do so.

My OA friends were appalled at the idea of weight loss surgery. Some

of them have started Food Addicts Anonymous groups which are much

more fashioned the way OA used to be. You are supposed to be

abstinent and get the relief from the compulsion. They are doing

great with it and most have lost lots of weight. I just didn't have

it in me to do that again. They called me and tried to rescue me from

the surgery, and not to be mean, they really cared. One of them is

married to a man who had the original JI bypass surgery from years

ago and he has suffered ever since. He's thin but looks and feels

like crap.

The group moderator was being true to the traditions. OA or any

twelve step program has no opinion on outside issues. Weight loss

surgery is an outside issue. Even my friends in AA tried to stop me

from have my DS. I am a bullheaded addict though and there was no

stopping me once I made up my mind. I believe that this surgery saved

my life. I do work the steps, but I also believe on what is on my

sobriety coin " to thine own self be true. " You don't need others

approval, just don't take this step lightly. It is a surgery where

there are complications and it can be dangerous. To me it was and has

been worth the risk. God bless us all as we find our ways.

Today I eat what ever I want with protein being my first concern. It

is working for me. I have lost 95 lbs in just under 6 months. I

started at 288 and am now at 193. I am 5'6 and I feel great. MY

weight loss has slowed somewhat and that's ok too.It will come off

when I am ready to let go and face those fears of being thin

entirely. The steps help me do that.

My friends in AA now can't get over how good I look and I hear it all

the time. I try not to say " told you so " but sometimes I do anyhow LOL

Take care as you make your way. Lenny and Joy I also really

enjoyed your posts.

Jeannie

August 1, 2001