My Anniversary

Hello Marchers: Congrats to all. My good news is that I've kept off all the weight. My very bad news is that I am in the percentage of wls pts. that becomes an alcoholic. I was a social drinker from the time I was 35 or so. This last year I seemed to be more "social" than usual. Then in Oct.my husband and I went on a cruise. I started out drinking socially and ended a drunk. Since the surgery I noticed that I process alcohol very differently than before. I should have believed my doctor when he told me that after surgery to never drink another calorie drink again and that included alcohol. So I am battling this horrible addiction. I am seeing a therapist and going to AA meetings. In the meetings I have met several women who also became alcoholics later in life and after wls. I have to say that if I knew then what I know now I would not have had surgery. Take care folks and don't drink.

Pat, go****'s good to hear from you. I'm so sorry for your cross-addiction - there is a wonderful woman on our board, Karen, who is in a similar cir****tance, I'm sure she will be of great help to you. I remember so well all your wonderful posts back a few years ago and have so often wondered what happened to you...so happy to see your pretty face and to read your update. I hope you will take some time to catch up by reading some of our threads of late - and please, please stay in touch. We are here for each other - that has not changed since March 2004. Be well, Pat. Maureen

I am so sorry you are going through that hardship. Since our surgery, there has been a lot written about cross addictions...be it alcohol, sex, shopping....it does happen. A while back, I felt I was having an issue with alcohol, especially wine. For some reason that I can't figure out, the craving has subsided, and I may only have a couple of glasses on the weekend. At this point, I can take it or leave it. We've been on cruises and all inclusives where the alcohol flowed...but I just didn't like the way it made me feel by the end of the day. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Take good care of yourself and stay healthy. Joanie

i am also glad to see you post-and sorry for your pain with the cross-addiction..i am glad to know that you are seeking help--and aending you hugs and prayers to help... maryann has recently rejoined the over 50's board- i will get to meet her in a few weeks when we have a gtg planned in pittsburgh...cannot wait to meet her finally!

I'm sorry to hear that you've had a really rough time. Congratulations on keeping the weight off. You and your family are in my prayers.

It is so nice to see your smile on this board. You won the weight battle you will win the new battle. Were here for you if you need us & prayers & hugs for a full recovery from this addiction. Keep in touch & let us know how you are doing. Ladybug Marilyn

Hi Pat; It's great to hear from you again. I'm sorry that you are struggling with the cross-addiction problems that so many of us develop. I have found that a single beer is enough to knock me for a loop. The scary thing is that the alcohol goes through me so fast and the buzz wears off so quickly that I can really see problems developing. I try to stay away from drinking because of this although I must admit that I do have one from time to time. I know that I'm playing with fire on this one, so I try to be careful. Thank you for having the courage to share your problems with us. It's a stark reminder that there are many issues to contend with post WLS. Stay well and good luck with your recovery. Mike

Hi Pat, You are so brave to post about such a common problem that so many people are too ashamed about to acknowledge. Your courage may help some other alcholic to find help and you are to be commended. Keep up the good work! I, too, was a social drinker before WLS. Alcoholism runs in my family, but I had been spared...or at least I thought so. It began slowly and escalated quickly when I no longer got that ooogie feeling after a couple of drinks that told my body I'd had enough. I began to drink every day until I blacked out. I would proceed to call people and do/say things that I had no memory of doing. But I wouldn't admit I had a problem. I was angry; heck, I'd never had a problem pre-WLS! My one or two glasses of wine grew to a bottle a night and then two. I never got sick; just blacked out, couldn't remember anything, maybe passed out and then had to clean up the wreckage of my behavior the next day. I said terrible things to people and did rotten things...I finally hit bottom when I went to a church dinner drunk. I made my way to AA the next night and never looked back. I picked up my one year chip a couple of months ago and am much happier today. But I had to get HONEST with myself that I did have a problem and it wasn't going away. I had to be WILLING to give up MY will to a higher Power to help me. I do not regret my WLS surgery at all. It gave me a new life I would not have had otherwise. And the Fourth Step of AA helped me to finally figure out WHY I almost ate myself and then almost drank myself to death. I went through years of therapy and diet programs trying to "fix" myself. I was only running away. Thru the rooms of AA and the 12 Step program, I have been able to identify my fears and face them. I no longer have the compulsion to eat or drink away my emotions. None of this would have happened had I not become alcoholic. They say everything happens for a reason and this was certainly God's way of waking me up and answering my prayers and leading me out the hell I was living in. Keep coming back to AA. Don't give up before the miracle happens.... Hugs and Gratitude, Karen