I was thinking that when I was with my 80 yo mom at the neurologist's office. There was a son who came in with his elderly parents, and you could tell he had obvious weight issues. You could tell that he was the child picked out of the family for whatever reason to be the caretaker for his parents. His mom says to me, "people look at me and then look at my son and don't believe I gave birth to him because he's so big!"

I just felt so bad for her son because I don't think he CHOOSES to be morbidly obese.

I think about the comments my mother's made about my weight - most of them very cruel (even when I wasn't heavy, she thought I was fat), and I wonder if the main reason why I'm fat is because I use it as insulation or armor. I've also always been the "fixer" in everybody's lives, always the "go to" gal, always the one to carry everybody, and I wonder if my weight is reflective of that.

So, do you sometimes think you're fat because you carry the weight of the world? Is your fat protection?

I think people become morbidly obese for many many different reasons. While your situation doesn't resonate with me, I'm sure there are others in a similar boat. My issues also, I'm sure, would sound familiar to some. I don't think there are any easy answers to obesity; I think it is hereditary, biological, habitual, emotional, and everything in between (one reason it is so hard to "treat")

I did do a year of behavioral therapy to try to get at the root of WHY I overate and it helped cement my desire for the band; hopefully your insights into your behavior will help keep you on the band path!

And for the record, although that wasn't the point of your post, I am sorry your mother was cruel to you. That is a shame. Good for you rising above it and taking care of yourself! :laugh: