Met With Dr. Hutcher

What a great observation that the people who try so hard to be looked up to may have led others to think it was ok. I am glad to have removed myself from that circle. "When in Rome, do what the Romans do". It is so funny now for them to sit back and judge people for things they do themselves,even when they have no idea where someone is currently with it. Its hard to be an advocate if you are hanging right in there with the crowd. That kind of ruins credibility to me. I am sure the other transfer addiction, other than alchol or drugs have been brought to light as well. Some are healthy and some are definately not. I am glad drs are becoming more aware of it. I commend Kat for coming public with her trials, I know some may see the ridicule or the two sides of someones personality and shy away. Its great to have some people that are truly willing to help here and out in the world. Its great the ones that are the same here, in person and on other OH boards. No need to put on one face here and another on other weight loss surgery boards.
Shannon

Extremely well stated.  I am also glad to have surrounded myself with better role models and am proud to have become one myself.  It is good to see you around again.  You have been missed for sure!

I couldn't agree more Shannon. Thanks for your support. We've talked about many things and are on the same page. Thanks for speaking up and I hope you come around more often.

:)

Shannon-

VERY well said!  Like you, I have to sit back and ask is it specific to a particular group or are the numbers really that high.  i ask, because I know alot of people who have had WLS and most really do not have the problems that have been identified.  The problems they have are because they are not exercising or eating right, and they will admit that whole heartedly.  Which means...that's not a transfer addiction problem, but a problem grasping the lifestyle.

Another thing that occurred to me last night - this is NOT specific to WLS patients.  It can happen to just about anyone.  So, why are WLS patients being singled out (by the media, and even here).  Why would a doctor assume that it would not happen to a WLS patient, but it would for a drug addict or an alcoholic.  Makes no sense to me that everyone acts like it is a new topic.

Thanks for your 2 cents.  I think the more we discuss this topic, the more enlightened people will become.  But, the bottom line...if you do not know that this could happen to you, you do not keep a guard up looking for that type of behavior.  I think this is where the doctors need to educate us.  What are the markers.  What should we look for.  When should we seek treatment.  And what do you do with the person who does not want to seek treatment (Kat...are you getting all of this???).

 

Hey Jill,

Yes mam! I'm getting ALL this and then some. I'm truly appreciative of the varied opinions and thoughts here. It helps create a dialogue that's been long overdue. You're absolutely correct that its NOT just WLS patients this happens to. Its NOT a new topic and its been around for many, many years. I'll be honest and say I know of NO doctor who wouldn't know this is going on. With all their training and experience I just don't believe that for a minute. Jill you are very insightful and I value yours and others thoughts & opinions. I'm working VERY diligently to get things moving in a more positive direction. So many thoughts and ideas and suggestions. So many people asking to help and I am SO thankful for that.

I agree that it should be adressed pre-op. I know at the time of my surgery life was different for me. My insurance did not require a psych visit and my dr didnt make me go for one. He and his staff were aware of my personal background. At the time I had done my research and knew what I needed to do to make this sucessful. I wouldnt think that people would go in there just trying to get over on the system. Im sure they were desperate to lose weight and help themselves in that area of life. Who has a crystal ball to say what will happen in the future. Many would be turned away for this surgery if they stopped the process for alot of things in peoples lives. Some had the issues before, some just trade one for another, some just develop them after surgery. I for one know that shopping becomes and necessity after surgery but Im sure no one thinks it will become a problem.
This can happen to anyone, no one is exempt. I agree that there are some predispositions to it due to family history, and other aspects.Some could be led astray by the very people they think are trying to help them.  
Glad that you can admit that though you may exercise too much. At least that is a more healthy tranfer, at this point. We could say you need to address with your dr what you are doing to your joints, but who would ask you to stop until there was a recognizable problem. Wouldnt make sense would it?
Shannon

Shannon I am glad that you brought this up. This has to be my single biggest disappointment with people who had surgery way before mine. I had some "heros" that I really looked up to and held onto their every word thinking they were so together and knew it all - and then come to find out, as I got to know them, that they lead different lives than what they portrayed in their profiles or to other people. That was one of the reasons I started my own support group - so I could live as I am supposed to live and help others do the same. I am not perfect but try hard to make the whole lifestyle work for me - not look at ways to bypass the systems. I don't drink alcohol or smoke for instance and stay away from sugar and  high fats, I have NEVER tested my boundaries - because I am too darned scared to do it!!

Am I an addict?- hell YES! I am a food addict and I recognize that and I always will be. I get up every morning planning food and all day I think about what I am going to eat - because I HAVE to do that to stay on track. Could I transfer my addiction to something else? I am pretty sure I could really easily - so I am afraid to start things withou****ching how I react to them. I am an all or nothing type personality and that goes for everything I do....

There are many forms of addiction transfer but we need to be aware of them to stay away from things we could easily get addicted to.... I have never been a drinker but I can see how it giving me a buzz is attractive to me, I have always liked shopping but I can see how it can get out of hand - really easily - so I have to discipline myself to not even go there! The list is endless..... but sometimes even taking a step into the "other side" is dangerous and we should not even try and do it. Because once we get caught up in it, it is another hard battle to get yourself out of it again.

I so admire Kat for talking about her struggles so that others may learn from them -  she has been to the dark side and as well as fighting food addiction, every day she counts as a day sober - so she has two real issues to deal with every day.....

I am also scared of prescription pain killers because I know how easily people can get hooked - I have seen it with my own eyes - when I had my plastic surgeries I came off of the drugs as quickly as I could and onto tylenol  - because I am afraid of how good they can make you feel.....

And we lie so easily to ourselves....... there are people who know deep down they are experiencing issues  - drinking things they know they should not - and to an excess they know they should not, taking many more pills than the dose prescribes telling themselves they are in pain, spending way more money than their budget allows - these are the people we all need to be there for and to help them help themselves.  There is no shame in this!! I believe it could easily happen to any one of us - but seek help to overcome it before it overcomes you. There are organizations that can help and Kat is trying to put a blog together where people can anonymously write about their struggles and be part of a community *****cognize each other's issues and want to help each other...... seek help there or somewhere professional that can help you. But the first step in all of this is the admittance........ if you even think you have an issue talk to someone about it....

And everyone is right that the surgeon's offices need to do more to warn people that this can happen - during the euphoric stages where your weight is dropping off you may think that it will not happen to you and you feel kind of invinsible - but real awareness can stop you in our tracks when you think (for instance) rhat  it is okay to have one alcoholic drink , then two, then three then drunk is the norm for an evening..... it is not the norm...... and deep down you know it.... stop right there!

I know it is not just the WLS community this can affect but we are much more open to the transfer of addictions and because we are a fairly close knit community we see it more easily and discuss it more openly...

Well I did not expect to write so much lolol!  - guess I got carried away as this is such an important subject....

So in closing I would say choose your heroes well because they may not be the hero you think they are.... and if someone is telling you something you have difficulty believing is good for you go with your own instincts - don't do it - be your own HERO!

Jackie

Jackie, I have had my own struggles pre-op and post-op. I still have some of them. I dont not come here with a halo burning nor do I act like I am trying to save the world. I just say that as I am reaching out for help in my own way. Sometimes I really think and dont post if I cant be nice. I am not perfect at any of it yet nor do I think I will ever be. This one just really struck a nerve. I dont have to be quiet anymore. Maybe I shouldnt keep going I think sometimes, as I want those reading that really want help to reach out for it. Please do so if you need to even if privately, as I have done.
Shannon

I agree with you Shannon  - none of us are perfect and we all have issues that we have to work through..... and more than ever post ops are suffering from this and not in silence any more  - thank goodness! This will indeed help people come and admit - even if just to themselves  - that they have a problem and they ARE NOT ALONE!!  and then go and seek help for it....

I thank you and Kat from the bottom of my heart for taking on this issue - head on - and trying to make a difference!

Jackie

Jill, I think he was shocked more about how many people I knew personally that this has happend to . He is aware it happens. But he was really concerned that so many from my group has had this happen.

He is atleast willing to listen to my thoughts as I put them on paper . It is a start.
And I am not at liberty to even discuss the other persons issues. IT is something they have to work on and I hope and pray they do get help . And I am sure in time it will catch up to them .

I am not sure who Kat's Dr. is at this point . She is a patient of CommonWealth surgeons office. Kat and I have discussed here about her going to the staff as well with all of her writings she has done about it as well as her own experiences. And I agree , she would be a great advocate for this cause .

His pre-op sessions are great . I just really think that more pre-ops need to talk to us long term post ops to get the " LIFE IN A DAY " I for one felt it hard to grasp someone that was skinny and never had a weight issues, trying to tell me how to change my behavior . I wanted to hear it from someone that had been there done that . Perhaps it will happen .

Take care  .
Nat