Addiction Transfer....

I hear you on that one..I find that I can control it better if I treat it like a recovering alcoholic..I just found out recently that we have FA meetings at the local Kaiser facility..I'm thinking I really want to go and participate but my dear hubby is still in denial..not to the point that he's an enabler but he just doesn't see the problem.

 The primary transfer addiction is alcohol, but it can by anything that makes you feel better (drugs, sex, shopping, exercise,...).   Alcohol is more attractive because with the gastric bypass there is less of the enzyme that metabolizes the alcohol making you drunk faster and longer - it works and it works fast.  

I am convinced that the reason many of us RNY-ers start wanting to feel better at a certain point after the surgery is more from the long-term nutrient deficiency caused by bypassing the duodenum rather than are "addictive personalities".   If this were in fact the case, we would see comparable rates of transfer addiction with the Lap-Band community, but it is in fact significantly less (see the results of the recent Karolinska study).  

Magnesium deficiency, for example, is a very common occurence for RNY patients (especially when high calcium supplementation is not balanced with magnesium).  The symptoms can mimic anxiety, insomnia and panic attacks.    Deficiencies of iron, B-12, calcium, thiamine, etc also all can have significant neurological and behavioral symptoms that you wouldn't necessarily associate with nutrient deficiency but can drive one to want to self-medicate.

Addiction transfer isn't the only thing that is increased in gastric bypass patients versus banding. There is also a statistical increase in suicide, suicide attempt and depression.

It appears you are early on in your journey and are educating yourself and staying vigilant for the signs and symptoms of addiction transfer which is a great thing.   The best thing you can do to prevent it is to identify it if it starts and nip it in the bud.

Best of luck to you

I think deficiencies can definitely play a part, but you have to keep in mind it is a lot easier to get the foods you want with a band than with an RNY. They can have a milkshake - I can't, etc.
I am only 2 wks out and I already know exercise will be my new obsession. I was addicted pre-op...I love the good feelings after a hard workout , the accomplishment, pride and satisfaction of getting it done. I was walking a mile 1 week post op and started this week doing some weights (with the ok of my surgeon).
I do go to therapy and WLS has been a topic before and after surgery. We don't stay on that topic (I have too many issues lol) but he always checks in to see where I am at in my emotions, eating compulsions and new possible behaviors.