Originally Posted by Dara

Tanya and Amber:

I have said this before...if we did a roll call, I think that the great majority of us would have some history of sexual abuse in our past. We have used food (translation: weight/fat) as our shield all of our lives.

I learned that my yo-yo dieting and my inability to keep weight off was directly related to my vulnerability level. As the weight would come off, I would feel at risk. Poof! The weight would come back with vengeance. I just couldn't handle the vulnerability.

For WLS patients who are sexual abuse survivors, it is IMPERATIVE that there is some type of counseling involved. I truly believe this is an integral part of success after WLS surgery. The emotional and psychological changes are just as important as the physiological changes. As Dr. Callery says, he operates on the stomach, not the head. The head must be addressed!

Bottom line, ladies: We are survivors! We deserve happiness. We deserve good health. WLS is a tool to get there. But please, please, please don't forget that the biggest scar to heal is in the head.

May God help us all. Much love to you...