Bariatric surgery and alcoholism...From the Main Board
Melting Momma (MM) posted this on the Main Board. We've talked about alcohol issues over the years. I thought this was a good read. Brian
Topic: Bariatric Surgery = increased likelihood of ALCOHOLISM.
No personal offense to anyone here, incluing our OP, but that MM post really pissed me off!
It is another WLS "Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt" post on the main board. All hype. Being obese is also associated with all sorts of nasty sh*t that occurs at a much higher rate than alcoholism. This includes gems like losing your eyesight and extremities to diabetes, debilitating heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, all of which seems way worse to me than an increased risk of drinking too much. Also all heavy drinking does not = "alcoholism". People throw that word around way too much.
After all the hype of that post from MM, here is the quote from the end:
"He noted that alcohol problems occur in a relatively small minority of patients. "It's a minor problem in comparison to the benefits [of surgery], but it's a problem that a doctor caring for patients with gastric bypass should be aware of," Dr. Busetto said."
Yes, a small minority of patients, less than 5%. Big f'ing deal. As the doctor said, "It is a minor problem."
THAT POST SHOULD BE RETITLED:
"STUDY FINDS ALCOHOL ADDICTION ONLY A MINOR PROBLEM WITH
GASTRIC BYPASS PATIENTS."
I have bigger things to worry about.
End of rant.
It is another WLS "Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt" post on the main board. All hype. Being obese is also associated with all sorts of nasty sh*t that occurs at a much higher rate than alcoholism. This includes gems like losing your eyesight and extremities to diabetes, debilitating heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, all of which seems way worse to me than an increased risk of drinking too much. Also all heavy drinking does not = "alcoholism". People throw that word around way too much.
After all the hype of that post from MM, here is the quote from the end:
"He noted that alcohol problems occur in a relatively small minority of patients. "It's a minor problem in comparison to the benefits [of surgery], but it's a problem that a doctor caring for patients with gastric bypass should be aware of," Dr. Busetto said."
Yes, a small minority of patients, less than 5%. Big f'ing deal. As the doctor said, "It is a minor problem."
THAT POST SHOULD BE RETITLED:
"STUDY FINDS ALCOHOL ADDICTION ONLY A MINOR PROBLEM WITH
GASTRIC BYPASS PATIENTS."
I have bigger things to worry about.
End of rant.
You're right Joe...The advantages outweigh the disadvantages in so many ways. I think Dr. Oz said that about only 10% of people who need WLS are getting it...Because of insurance or other issues. I think what I'm trying to stress is there are transfer addictions. Don't go into this blindly. What I have seen over the years at support groups and on OH, is the people who are alcoholics are ones who were very light social drinkers or non drinker. It's not mentioned in the study. They try to weed out the alcoholics who can't stop drinking before the surgery...They would be a total mess post RNY. But this may be the first (double blinded) study done to prove the increase...even minor. I don't say abstain...but go in with eyes wide open. I love the quote of the patients being compliant the first year...Then watch out.
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