I admit, i didn't watch it.
However, I do have something to say about eating disorders, mentally ill and WLS. There is a huge spectrum of issues and I think it is a big mistake to think we are all the same, or that we are in the same state of "readiness" to change our lives. I was not diagnosed with an eating disorder, but by the time I was sleeved, I was a pretty hard case of "disordered eating". I can STILL be like that at times. I am upset about something in my home life (my effing grown sons not picking up after themselves or helping out is starting to really get to me). Because I don't know how to get what I want out of the situaiton without creating a riff, i am swallowing my emotions. I chose that word intentionally because I notice i am eating more, i seem hungrier, but the truth of the matter is that I want that "numbing feeling" I used to get from eating. I don't think I am actually more hungry - but rather I am seeking that thing that food used to give me. That sounds like an eating disorder to me - right? And yet, I am maintaining a healthy weight, healthy labs and a good life 4.5 years post sleeve so I am maybe not a complete loser.
I wish some of the stigma around "mental health" issues would just freaking go away. @@OKCPirate has talked openly about some personality issues and being conscious of ourselves in the world. That frankness has made me think more about it too and i think has helped me .. it's all part of the "leave the shame behind" track I am following. I actually asked a counselor last year if she thought I had a personality disorder (like borderline or whatever) - we had a long conversation about it and I was very relieved by the discussion. I also realized that in the past I would have never had the guts to actually face that possibility.
anyway, bringing it back around to WLS. I genuinely believe there are 3 key factors
1. Lifestyle/habits - are you active? do you know how and regularly make healthy choices and get your butt moving? I think most people THINK this is their biggest problem area but in my experience it is the easiest of the 3 to change.
2. Physical changes brought on by obesity - this is where WLS really helps alot. I was over 300# and was completely "owned" by my physical hunger until I was sleeved. This is the launching pad for being able to change #1 and maybe #3 too.
3. The mental health/emotional health issues - like my story of stuffing down things that I really NEED to express. This one is probably the hardest to solve and I suspect will be an issue for me forever to some degree or another. How many places besides WLS forums can we have these kind of honest, I don't have anything to hide kind of discussions?
