Guest guest Posted May 17, 2003 Report Share Posted May 17, 2003 Okay, this is my opinion and my experience - right, wrong or indifferent. I do not necessarily believe that obesity is a choice. Who in their right mind would choose to be obese? There are so many factors that went into my obesity it wasn't even funny. For example, I was put on an antidepressant and gained 75 to 100 lbs. Some six years later, I was put on a different antidepressant and again gained another 75 to 100 lbs. I also had an undiagnosed thyroid condition. I am an emotional eater and therefore ate when depressed. I did have choices about what I put in my. It was my choice to eat pizza, burgers, chips, shakes, cookies, cakes, etc. It was also my choice to eat two and three plates of food at a time. The combination of all of this did not help my morbid obesity. Could I have made healthier food choices and not gained so much? Certainly. And to say that I could not is, in my opinion, more detrimental to my recovery then to admit that it was a problem. To admit that my food choices was a problem then will help me recognize those same choices today and hopefully prevent them or, at the vary least, keep them to a minimum. I DO NOT WANT TO KEEP THE MORBID OBESE MENTALITY. I do want to outlive this disease if at all possible. Lori Owen - Denton, Texas SRVG 7/16/01 Dr. Ritter/Dr. Bryce On Sat, 17 May 2003 17:54:13 -0400 " jlw@... " writes: > I'm a bit confused here -- if obesity is simply the result > of bad choices (or mostly the result of bad choices) surely > it would be easier simply to make the right choices than to > have major surgery? And surely insurance companies would be > in the right to refuse to pay for such surgery? > > It's amazing how having this surgery and losing weight > because of it makes us all such better people that we can > judge others so clearly. I hadn't realized what a wonderful > side benefit the surgery had. (Actually, I think I've > missed that particular benefit. Darn.) I also didn't > realize how cunning I was to hoodwink the the insurance into > paying for most of the cost of the surgery when they could > simply have told me to, mmm, diet and exercise. <smacking > the side of my head> Why didn't I think of that? What a > revelation. I was fat because I ate too much and didn't > exercise enough. Who knew? > > And yes, I am being sarcastic. It is truly disheartening > for me to see how many individuals who have themselves been > through the struggle -still- believe that obesity is simply > a matter of willpower. > > Do so many of you honestly think that post-surgery you > simply have more willpower, better self-control, wiser > choices? Funny me, I've found that it's easier to eat less > when my body is not screaming so hard for more food. It's > easier to exercise when my body doesn't hurt. I must have > missed out on that side benefit of becoming a better person, > 'cause I don't think I am one bit better than I was 150 lbs > ago. I'm just thinner. And luckier. My (rearranged) body > is cooperating with me for the first time. I am putting > less willpower, less pain, less struggle into my daily > eating choices, and having infinitely better (and easier) > results. It would be dishonest to claim that the credit is > due to better choices, other than the choice to have the > surgery. A choice that might not have been available to > whatever obese person you are so happy to judge. Or maybe > even a choice that is NOT the best one for every single > obese person. > > Hasn't it occurred to any of you who are being so judgmental > on the subject that your amazing ability to make " good > choices " and " become accountable " came about after a surgeon > rearranged your insides? > > > Jeri > > > > I recognize the accountability factor in our situation is a > controversial > > > topic-in my opinion it only goes so far because of factors > beyond our > > > control. But lets face it, we do make choices that help or > hinder those > > > factors. (not exercising prior to when we just plain couldn't, > not eating > > > sugar, etc). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2003 Report Share Posted May 20, 2003 Jeri Said: " Hasn't it occurred to any of you who are being so judgmental on the subject that your amazing ability to make " good choices " and " become accountable " came about after a surgeon rearranged your insides? " ____ Jeri, reading your post was pure pleasure. It took real courage to say what you said. I agree wholeheartedly. Gayle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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