WLS & Addiction transfer special meeting on MONDAY JUNE 9th Albany Med 5-8pm room J 305

jamiecatlady5
on 6/7/08 9:54 pm - UPSTATE, NY

I advise you not to miss this! Free and open to all pre and postop patients regardless of surgeon or surgery! "What every WLS patient should know about their potential risk for post operative onset of addiction or transfer of addiction"(% per type of addictions developed post WLS)

34% alcohol
27% shopping
22% inappropriate sexual stuff
the balance gambling and drugs.________________________________

WHEN: MONDAY JUNE 9th in Albany MED (5-8pm special event!)
WHERE: Albany Med Hospital Room J 305 *NOTE THIS IS NOT OUR USUAL ROOM!*WHO: Dr. Julie Dostal Executive Director LEAF Council on Alcoholism and Addiction Oneonta, NY (PhD/Addiction therapist and 4+ yr postop Lap-Bander) WHAT: She will be speaking about WLS and addictions transfer.FOR MORE INFO CALL: (518) 262-2195 AMC SUPPORT GROUP INFO LINE OR EMAIL ME FOR MORE INFO AT: [email protected] ARTICLES ON WLS AND ADDICTIONS

Recommendations on the Use of Alcohol After Surgery By: Cynthia Buffington, Ph.D.

http://www.beyondchange-obesity.com/obesityResearch/precauti onsWithAlcohol.html

Caution When Using Alcohol after Bariatric Surgery By: Cynthia Buffington, Ph.D.

http://www.barimd.com/myNewsletterPage.php?pageNo=5&practice Id=7

Alcohol Use in the Bariatric Patient by Cynthia Buffington, Ph.D. in Silhouette

http://www.bbvitamins.com/research_Article_5.aspx

Alcoholism Following Weight Loss Surgery

http://www.wlscenter.com/NLArchive/may_1_2006.htm

After weight-loss surgery, some find new addictions

http://www.azcentral.com/offbeat/articles/0718wsj-addiction- transfer18-ON.html#

Patient Perspective: My Battle with Alcohol After Bariatric Surgery- by Patty Worrells http://www.bariatrictimes.com/displayArticle.cfm?articleID=a rticle276
Perspective: Alcohol and the Gastric Bypass Patient by Cynthia K. Buffington, PhD http://www.bariatrictimes.com/displayArticle.cfm?articleID=a rticle273
From BSCIs e-Newsletter October 31st, 200

Addiction and Weight Loss Surgery: A Social Worker's Perspective By Katie Jay, MSW; Director, National Association for Weight Loss Surgery Here's a typical scenario. At her sister's wedding, Fiona, who had never been a big drinker, decided to try her first taste of alcohol after weight loss surgery (WLS). She had waited 11 months after surgery, had lost 115 pounds so far, and wasn't going to deny herself a glass of champagne on such an important day. And wow, did she enjoy that champagne! She sipped on a small drink, got a nice buzz, and laughed the evening away. No big deal. Fiona didn't realize that gastric bypass patients will get drunker quicker and have higher blood alcohol levels after drinking smaller quantities of alcohol than people who have not had weight loss surgery. Fiona Rekindles the "Pleasure" of a Mood-Altering Activity After WLS, Fiona had done a pretty good job of changing her eating habits. She almost completely avoided sugar and ate mostly protein and veggies. She loved her success, but there was a part of her who missed indulging in food. When she tried the champagne, she felt self indulgent and relaxed in a way she hadn't in a long time (in about 11 months, actually). The following week when Fiona was grocery shopping she decided to pick up a bottle of wine. It would be great to have a small glass before dinner sometimes, she thought. She poured herself a small glass when she got home from the store just to find out how it tasted and to quietly enjoy another little buzz. Over time, Fiona began to sneak wine during the day. She hid it when her husband commented on her consumption. The behavior of wanting something forbidden, getting it, hiding it, and consuming it in private was so familiar to Fiona from her days of overeating that it was almost a relief to sneak the wine -- and she slowly built up the quantity she was drinking. Thankfully, Fiona was participating in group therapy with a social worker who specialized in weight loss surgery at the time. When one of the other group members shared about getting into a car accident and being arrested for driving drunk, Fiona felt uncomfortable. She had driven to pick up her son from soccer the prior evening after she had a small glass of wine. At the time she knew she was tipsy. Still, she poured herself more wine when she got home from group and drank it in the basement playroom, because her husband almost never went down there. Fiona didn't have to get arrested for drunk driving to really "get" that she had a problem. Everything came to a head when her son found an empty wine bottle in his toy box in the basement, while Fiona had another mother and son over for a play date. Fiona was completely humiliated. Embarrassed and ashamed, Fiona called her therapist to talk about what happened, and the therapist referred her to a social worker who specializes in substance abuse. With the help of the therapist and a support group for substance abusers, Fiona was able to get on the road to recovery quickly. But, why did Fiona Turn into an Alcoholic Overnight? Fiona simply switched one addiction for another. It's not uncommon for a person who gives up one addictive behavior to pick up another addictive behavior. Fiona had quit using food as a soothing substance in her life. The alcohol came in and filled that void. Switching addictions is also demonstrated when a person develops an unhealthy relationship with eating and exercise following weight loss surgery. Exercise can become a way to compensate for overeating, and can turn into what is called exercise bulimia. It's not bad to exercise as part of a plan to control one's weight. But if the overeating becomes excessive, and then the exercise becomes obsessive -- that's a problem. Your physical health can be threatened -- not to mention your peace of mind. The other common addiction people switch to is spending. Many weight loss surgery patients get such a kick out of shopping for new clothes they get a little carried away - and then they get hooked. Having been so burdened by obesity in the past, weight loss surgery patients begin to leave the house more, because they're now physically able to, and they shop more frequently. Shopping can morph into a mood-changing activity, and hence, an addiction. What Can People Do in Fiona's Situation? Several steps can be taken to address the experience of switching addictions: 1. Identify your addiction(s) and the extent to which it is (they are) ruling your life. 2. Educate yourself about a particular addiction by doing research and talking to professionals who have knowledge and experience in that area. 3. Seek out a knowledgeable social worker if you are unable to control your addictive behavior on your own. 4. Join a support group that addresses your specific addiction, such as overeaters anonymous, alcoholics anonymous, debtors anonymous, etc. Remember, addictions are very common and nothing to be ashamed of. But, they are hard to get rid of in isolation. Get help if you are struggling. And keep in mind any addictions left untreated absolutely will take over your life. Katie Jay, MSW, is the Director of the National Association for Weight Loss Surgery (www.nawls.com) and is author of the courageous book, Dying to Change: My Really Heavy Life Story, How Weight Loss Surgery Gave Me Hope for Living.

BSCI is pleased to participate in a global survey on Response to Alcohol After Bariatric Surgery. We would like your input as we continue to elevate care for WLS patients.

__________________________________________________

9. Popular Weight Loss Procedure Could Lead to Addiction

http://www.wsfa.com/global/story.asp?s=6546994&ClientType=Pr intable

10. Causes for Food Addiction http://www.usbariatric.com/Silhouette_articles/articles_rese arch.html#Causes_for_Food_Addiction11. COPING WITH ADDICTION
http://www.habitsmart.com/coping.html12. Hidden in Plain Sight: When Your Brain Has a Mind of its Own© Part 1
by Lauralyn Bellamy MA, MDiv, certified Dreamcoach®http://www.oracle2020.com/magazine/2008/0408/bellamy
Take Care,Jamie Ellis RN MS NPP100cm proximal Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh Albany, NY
320(preop)/163(lowest)/185(current) 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery)
Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King www.albanyplasticsurgeons.com
http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/jamiecatlady5/
"Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"

Take Care,

Jamie Ellis RN MS NPP
100cm proximal Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh Albany, NY
320(preop)/163(lowest)/185(current) 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery)
Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King www.albanyplasticsurgeons.com
http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/jamiecatlady5/
"Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"

mariaxoxo4u
on 6/17/08 2:05 am - Sag Harbor, NY

Hi Jamie,

I love your posts, they are so informative! I understand now that some Doctors are not accepting patients that are in recovery. Any data on this? When I had my psch eval I mentioned I had 12 years clean and the psych let me know that some hospitals are refusing recovering addicts / alcoholics.

Maria

jamiecatlady5
on 6/20/08 9:23 pm - UPSTATE, NY

RNY on 10/09/02

Maria:
Hello. I have not heard this. Everyone screens differentlhy. I would say past SA history increases one risk possibly. My experience is in recovery at least a year... Wishing you well! Keep in touch!

Take Care,

Jamie Ellis RN MS NPP
100cm proximal Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh Albany, NY
320(preop)/163(lowest)/185(current) 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery)
Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King www.albanyplasticsurgeons.com
http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/jamiecatlady5/
"Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"

WLS & Addiction transfer special meeting on MONDAY JUNE 9th Albany Med 5-8pm room J 305

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WLS & Addiction transfer special meeting on MONDAY JUNE 9th Albany Med 5-8pm room J 305