Oh So Grateful Today!

I have had so many good feelings this Thanksgiving!  I feel so blessed to be almost five years post op and to still be on this incredible journey and this new life that WLS has given me.  There have certainly been some bumps in the road but none that have been insurmountable.  I thank God for being able to overcome my cross-addiction after WLS and for the love and support of everyone in my life; one day at a time.  For anyone considering this surgery or for those who have already had the surgery, please just take good care of yourself and watch out for the potholes.  Alcohol is not your friend and never will be.  Even if you could "handle" it before surgery, you may not be able to do it post-op.

Hugs,
Karen

Karen - very well said, sounds like you are doing well, GOOD JOB!  lys

Congrats to five years and many more to come!

You look wonderful. I know there can be hurdles in the road. I won't even touch alcohol. I am so scared of cross addictions. Good luck

Hi Karen,

This Thanksgiving has been a blessing in itself that is for sure. Just a few days before Thanksgiving (25th****lebrated 15 months of sobriety and counting. The potholes are terrible but they CAN be overcome. I thank the Lord, my fam and wonderful connections for seeing me through my addiction with alcohol as well. I love the quote "My worst day in sobriety is better than my best day drunk." One day at a time is all I can give and commit to. Thanks for posting.

Thanks so much for all your support!  I remember you, Kat!  You were at the same party as I was in Richmond, Va that January.  It was suppose to be a Winter Snow Ball dance that celebrated our surgery and ended up being a drunkfest !  It was the beginning of my alcholism and a 15 month journey into hell.  I would have never believed that I would become an alcoholic after WLS since I never had a problem before surgery.  It got to the point where one drink was too much and a whole bar couldn't stock enough.  I blacked out every day but I just couldn't stop.    I was terrified I would drive and not remember it....I thank God everyday that I am now 22 months sober.  God, the fellowship of AA, my sponsor and my family have given me all I have today.  

Again, thanks for listening and being supportive!  I pray others learn from our experience, strength and hope.

Karen

Karen...that same event was where I took my first drink post WLS!  thankfully it never amounted to much and I was able to stop before it got too far but I honestly wish I had never taken that first post WLS drink at all.  Congrats on your sobriety!  It means everything.

Hi Tammy,
I thought I recognized you, too!  I remember you at that Richmond event.  I just remember all those people drinking so much that they threw up and then started all over again!  The women's bathroom was full of yackers and they were the ones who were sponsoring the event and supposedly our role models (???).  The after-the -dance party in the hospitality suite was even wilder.  I've never seen so much booze or so many drunk people.  I was shocked...but not enough to walk away.  I thought it was okay to party again....little did I know.

I find it interesting that some of those people still drink a lot (and smoke) and yet hold themselves out to be "life coaches" and WLS leaders.  In truth, they are not healthy at all.

But I shall stay in my own sandbox and worry only with my own issues. I can only control what I do with my life and I choose sobriety and good health!

Thanks again for your post! And congrats on your pregnancy!!!

Karen

Thank you!  I have been guilty of having too many drinks post op and I did start smoking again (had quit several years before WLS)...guess when I started again?  Yep...at that same conference.  I made my own choices and I stand by what I did.  Honestly, I quit smoking when I found out I was pregnant and for no other reason.  I pray I have the strength to not pick them back up!  I only drin****assionally (not at all now) and honestly will probably have more drinks...again, I pray I can keep it under control.  So far God has blessed me but i know transfre addiction can come easy to most of us post WLS.  I know I am not perfect but I can be a role model to others.  I have had great success with my surgery and wish others the same success.  If I can help...I am there.  It is so good to see you posting again.  Don't be a stranger and please come back more often.  We miss you!

Hey Tammy,
Well, I certainly wasn't nailed on the cross, either!  I smoked for 20 years and loved every minute of it when I did.  I quit in 1989 because I was told it would kill me if I didn't.  I have asthma and the smoking was only making it worse.  So, I understand the love of nicotine.  The love of food.  The love of shopping.  The love of alcohol.  Heck!  I'm just a born-cross-addict!  The difference is now I know it and can deal with it.  I love to spin and get out of control.  It is part of my obsessive-compulsive personality.  I have had to learn to just sit and do NOTHING when I get that antsy, anxious feeling, wanting to numb out.  That's real hard for a Type A personality! 

I wish I could just have a nice drink once in a while, like you.  But it isn't possible, for me.  And now I know it.  I have finally accepted the fact that alcohol is like an allergy for me.  You wouldn't give your child a strawberry if he were allergic, would you?  Would you eat one yourself if you were allergic?  Of course not!  That would be insane.  And the reaction would be guaranteed.  That's how alcohol is for me.  And I have finally accepted it.   If I could drink responsibly, like most "normal" people, I would.

Thanks again for your post and your honesty!  Thanks, too, to Kat, for your sharing and honesty.  I remember reading the article interviewing you in People Magazine several years ago.  That was just about the time I quit.  You were brave to be so open.  Thank you.  Your sharing played a part in my recovery and for that, I am grateful to you.

Karen