What's it going to take? READ FULLY PLEASE!

Thanks Kat! I am, of course, still pre-op and have never really understood why doctors don't want you to drink after surgery. I always assumed it was just so that you didn't gain weight but you have made it clear that it is soooo much more than that. I guess I figured that if we weren't able to absorb nutrients as well, that it would be the same with alcohol. I really don't drink much myself as alcoholism runs in my family as well but this was really an eye opener! Thanks girl for caring so much! Christine

Hi Christine! You are welcome! I think because this has affected me directly and through other family and friends I feel the need to keep on about this subject ESPECIALLY for WLS patients. We already have a hard enough time absorbing vitamins and nutrients from foods to begin with. Adding one addiction (or a potential one) to replace another is just as unhealthy. I am told there are several reasons why we shouldn't drink after surgery. It's halts us losing weight and affects us so much more quickly. My surgeon did say in we could drink in moderation but I'm not sure that is good for me either. To each his own but I will fight to get this message out there. Hugs, Kat

Thanks Kat for caring. I do understand where you are coming from. I drank heavily from about 17-22 yrs old, along w/ some other recreational or not so recreational stuff. I ended up in rehab at 22. I know I am alive by Gods Grace. I made it about 4 yrs sober that time and messed up for a year. I know the terrible effects physically and emotionally this can have on your life. I lost a dear brother 3 years ago to drug overdose. I never want anyone else to go thru this. I can only say but there for the Grace of God go I. I always have to remember I am just one drink away from death if I am lucky or living like I used to again which would be way worse. I did not like the person I had become. It all started as a way to fit in as I was overweight since a child. The drugs came in as a way to lose weight. I loved all the attention I got when I was smaller. I am scared of becoming that person again. I would love to drink just a few but that is not the way it would go and I know it. God has me on a new leg of this journey. I dont want to mess it up. I have enough struggles w/o adding anymore. Shannon

Hi Shannon, You are welcome! Thank you for sharing your story here as well. I am hoping to yours and mine and Keith's and many others will help not just ourselves but others. I'm thankful you are doing well now. God has his hands in everything. He is at the top of my list for sure! I agree I don't want others to go through this mess either. Ha! I could drink a few which would turn into many and then I know better. This is about self control and it is like eating. We've had surgery (or those who are about to) to control our eating. Why use something even deadlier????? I for one have come THIS far and I'm NOT going to die over something stupid like this. I don't care HOW good people think it makes them feel, It's ONLY for the moment and nothing more. I'd rather wake up feeling refreshed then hung over and like I just got ran over by a mack truck. Drinking doesn't make me prettier, nicer, etc. All it does is ruin what I'm working hard to fight. It DOES heed us from losing weight. I don't think so. I've got goals to meet and I'm NOT giving up. EVER! Hugs, Kat

Hey chick! Thanks for this post...wi**** would hit me like it hit u yesterday...cause yet again I was out last night, had alot too many...I just hope that I can deal with this sooner rather than later...its soo hard to cut it out of my life...its a big part of everything I do. I only go out one or two nights a week..on average...can't imagine going out and not drinking at 25. Maybe I just have those rose colored glasses on right now..but I am happy doing what I am doing, its the one thing I have right now that makes me happy and I know thats the worng way to think about it...but I guess, like I told ya before, that until I am ready to deal with it...just gonna keep it status quo.......... Luv ya LA

Hey Pretty Lady, Oh it's gonna hit ya no worries there. You & I have talked about this extensively. I hope that it does get to you sooner than later. That's just it food USED to be the biggest part of what we did at one time. It's replacing one thing for another. We've had surgery and are getting all sorts of attention now and it feels good to be hit on, looked at, talked to, complimented, praised etc. That's right when you are ready to deal with it then you will and trust me when I say it may take something dramatic happening before you deal with it. It's the "It won't/can't happen to me syndrome. We need to realize we've been given a tool and we need to respect it. I'm not saying OH NEVER DRINK IT'S THE DEVIL but I'm saying if you can't seem to leave it alone at least back way off from the drinking. Kat

Kat, Wow, thank you. Right now, I am feeling pretty low about wanting two margartittas after my four year olds t ball game. In the summet time, ( or warmer weather) I would much rather drink alochol than eat food. In my head( although I do realize the sugars in alcohol and empty calories) It's not as "bad" as food. I don't drink all the time, but I guess I would fall under binge drinking since , well, since my hubby and I or friends go out, we go OUT. Also, Alcoholism runs in my family. Take it from me, I have seen marriages fall apart, a very dear, caring intelligent friend is now sporting a back back with meds 24 7 beacuse her liver is failing at the age of 50. My grandmother has had sev. strokes due to the spikes in her blood pressure due to alcohol,and my paternal grand father took his own life due to alcohol. Alcohol doesn't seem bad like Heroin or Crack, but it is a drug, and any thing in excess( which I think we all know on here) is not a good thing. Man, this gave me goose bumps. You are an angel for sure. I thank you for this, and for as the others have said, being truly caring. Not too many people truly care any more about any thing but them selves. Cindy

Hiya Cindy, You are welcome! I too have seen death, marriages end, children get in the way (abuse), people getting assaulted and I have a friend who developed Cirrhosis of the liver and he spent SEVERAL months in the hospital coming close to death. He'd have left behind his wife and baby daughter, lots of family and many friends. The docs told him that he had to quit completely. One sip even could mean his death. Is it worth it we all asked him? Is it worth losing everything you have in your life? His answer is obvious. He'll be turning 30 on April 29th, his marriage ROCKS (to one of the truest friends a gal could have in her life), his "baby daughter" is about to turn 3 in August and guess what? They've got another baby daughter due end of July early August. Now THAT'S something right there. Trust me at times I wonder if I care TOO much but then I realize that is stupid. I have a voice and I am sure as heck gonna use it. Alcohol may not seem as bad as another drug but if we think of it in the context of what food USED to be for us food was a drug too. I DO care and I will not stop caring as long as there is a breath in this body. Thanks for your kind words. I am STILL crying from time to time over all this. I seem to be quite emotional about it. Maybe passionate is a better term. Take care! (PS thanks for your private message. It means a lot.) Hugs, Kat