Question:
Are there stats on WLS patients who were adopted?
One of the most important issues I keep coming across is learning to understand-and deal with- whatever triggers our overeating. Many docs want to know about history of physical or sexual abuse, etc...are there stats of number of MO who were adopted (and maybe felt abandoned)??????????? I was adopted and have found my birth parents- good reunions! however,my eating problems began many years ago-before finding them....i place no "blame" ....just wondering.... — Margo M. (posted on October 9, 2003)
October 9, 2003
I was adopted when I was a baby. And I grew up in a family of medium
framed, "normal" sized people. We always ate semi healthy, were
always doing someting, and I was just always heavy. THEN.. I met my
biological mother. I seriously thought I was looking into a mirror. Her
and I have the same face, build, big butt, everything. So I just think
it's another example of obesity being just as genetic as having poor eating
habits.
— Michelle J.
October 9, 2003
I wasn't adopted and I certainly do not know if there are any stats out
there on this subject, however, I was always wondering about what triggers
my overeating also. As part of my process before having the RNY surgery, I
had to see a Psychologist and take a 600+ question "test." My
doctor wants to be sure all of his patients are mentally stable and ready
for this life change. Anyway, my psychologist said I am one of the most
normal people he had ever come across! (of course, he didn't speak to my
husband! hahhahaha). He said that there doesn't have to be a deep dark
secret or a reason why we overeat. Food has addictive qualities that some
people are more susceptible to than others are. Just like with alchohol -
some people can drink for pleasure and others cannot control themselves
with those very same drinks.
A person didn't have to be abused or have a disturbed childhood to be
overweight! Some of just like food - A LOT. I'll tell you, that was a
relief to hear, because I don't have a torrid past to blame things on. I
had a happy family and childhood and now I am happily married with a happy
family of my own! I'm just FAT. hahaha. Try not to over-analyze even
though that seems like the politically correct thing to do these days.
— Louise D.
October 9, 2003
Hi ther- adopted- Post Op Open RNY here. I am not aware of there being any
stats about adoption as related to WLS. Interesting thought though. Don't
know what to tell you except that we all have our own issues that need to
be addresses in our own individual ways. Adoption has never been a big
deal to me, not traumatized by it and it has little effect on me today. I
have not met or sought any biological parents. Good luck to you in your
journey though!
— LMCLILLY
October 9, 2003
I was adopted and am almost 6 months postop. I always used food as a
comfort thing and always blamed myself for everything that went wrong. But
I was already very heavy when I found out I was adopted (age 12). So
finding out didn't "trigger" my overeating.
— ethoms
October 9, 2003
Margo: I don't think there are any statistics on MO and adoption. However
I've wondered for years if there wasn't a link and what that was. When I
first got on the computer 12 or so years ago the first thing I did was go
to the adoption chat room to learn about searching for birth parents. I
got to know many of the adoptees well and a large majority of them had
weight problems. Certainly not all, but I'd say more did than didn't. I
have wondered if it was from being bottle fed verses breast fed, or
something more psychological. I have used food to fill emotional voids all
my life, so it could easily be adoptees do tend to do that. More so than
the general population, I don't know? If you find a more definitive answer
I'd love to know. S
— sherry hedgecock
October 9, 2003
I am not adopted, but when you look around you, Americans are big. Morbid
obesity crosses all races, religions, economic statuses, etc - an equal
opportunity disease. Something like 60% of Americans are overweight, 30%
obese, don't know the stats on Morbidly obese. When I traveled in Europe I
rarely saw any one very overweight. In France, My friend and I stuck out
like a neon sign being overweight. I am sure the only overweight people we
saw in Paris were ... American. The french were thin and walked everywhere.
That really gave me a lot to think about.
— **willow**
October 9, 2003
orig poster here- thanks all so far for input- others PLEASE write! i do
not feel that being adopted "triggered" my weight either- there
are of course many issues that we do all deal with and some are diff than
those who have always known their heritage, etc...just growing up is a
challenge for us all- but growing up wondering why you were given up or add
other co-dependencies ( my adopted folks divorced and adopted mom was an
alcoholic)...(i know that i put some weight on at one point to get my first
hubby to leave me alone sexually...it backfired tho!)The bottle vs breast
thought is a good one , too- i guess it is my own curiosity- as i said, i
am not "Blaming" my weight on my adoption, etc....and i have
truly been blessed in finding my parents and sibs and grandparents, etc. I
had a relatively good life growing up and I feel fortunate that they made
the choice to give me up ...sorry- guess i'm rambling!I am not obsessing
about this but i am curious!
— Margo M.
October 9, 2003
Who asked what and who triggers overeating? Our psych doc who clears all of
us says its a multi faceted issue for everyone. Just lately I heard that
stress causes people to crave comfort foods that actually do make us feel
better. The entire world is getting heavier and this is the latest theory
to explain why. I jknow for a fact that stress makes me eat, even as a post
op.
— bob-haller
October 9, 2003
I was adopted also and I suspect there is a link, probably an abandonment
issue. I had a good life, have found birth family and I don't blame
anyone. While I was growing up, my parents gave me whatever I wanted to
eat. Although there were not any fast food restaurants around here when I
was a kid in the 60's, there were lots of treats. I learned my eating
pattern early. I was choosing my own foods by age 10 when left home with an
older brother who wasn't into watching me while my parents worked. Our
meals were normal and balanced it just that we would run out of cookies
half way through the week because I just couldn't stop eating them. Why my
parents didn't clue into this is the million dollar question. I think they
were in denial that they had a fat kid. Plain and simple. They did not
deal with it maybe because they didn't know how or didn't want to hurt my
feelings. Just my 2 cents.
— mary ann T.
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