Member-only story
WLS, Again.
May 17, 2025
It was about a year ago that my primary care doctor said to me, “We’re finding that obesity is primarily hereditary.” I’d not heard this from a medical professional before.
Although fat shaming has not been in fashion in the medical community for a long time, still, there is a consistent focus on the behavioral component of weight management. Most people who suffer with a significant weight issue believe they have failed that behavioral component. I’m learning that’s an inaccurate assumption.
I am preparing for my second weight loss surgery. I had my preop visit with the bariatric surgeon yesterday. He repeated the claim that obesity is largely hereditary.
“Well, there is a behavioral component…” I began.
“Actually, even behavioral tendencies are driven by hereditary factors,” he replied.
When he said that, I remembered the statistic about bipolar. There is a 60–85% chance it is inherited from a parent. I inherited this condition from my father. My bipolar is a major contributing factor to my morbid obesity. I diligently work to manage my bipolar, but in spite of that, I can’t always control it. I also inherited my tendency towards obesity. I diligently work to address my weight, but in spite of that, I’ve not managed to get on top of it.
