issues: alcoholism & wt gain

I am currently almost 4 years out.  I was at goal a year and a half ago and then SURPRISE....got pregnant.  I gained 30 pounds with the pregnancy and have only lost 5.  I have been struggling for a year now to lose these friggin 25 pounds.  I know what I need to do.......and I swore to myself before this surgery that I would never be overweight again.  UGH.  (ok so that was mainly a vent)
About 6 months ago, I began drinking socially which has led to several nightly **** tails for the past 2 months.  I get extremely drunk, very quick.  After a few "dangerous" situations, I feel I have it under control as far as staying IN MY HOUSE when I get loaded.  However, there have been a few times where I promise myself that I am not going to drink or that I will simply stop after 1 glass of wine.  No matter what though, I don't stick to it.  I get that buzz feeling and I just keep going and going until before I know it, I am completely drunk.  (in actuality, I only drink 3 - 4 drinks before I am drunk)  Most nights I have a blackout.  I have done some research online and am just amazed at how many stories from WLS patients sound JUST like me.
Anyone else dealing with this?
Oh and FTR - my surgeon moved and I only have my pcp as follow up - I am currently trying to get into a program with another surgeon but he is not accepting new patients at this time.  I did talk to my pcp about this and he said it sounds like alcoholism but I wonder if it realy is or if I could try harder to only have 1 or do I need to completely give it up?

What you are probably experiencing is an "addiction transfer".  The "buzz" you got off of eating is now replaced by the buzz received from alcohol.  It's along the same line as "I'll only have one small handful of those potato chips" and then eating the whole bag.  So if you put it into that perspective, you can see what is going on.    WLS patients have a tendency to get drunk quicker and on less because the alcohol goes straight to their blood system (or something along that line).  Also, having a drink or two probably helps take the edge off of everyday life...being a parent, etc.

Recognizing that you have had some dangerous episodes and that you need to stick around the house if you're going to drink is very very commendable.    However, accidents can happen at home...a fall down stairs, etc.  I'm not going to suggest going into counseling however I do think you should examine your relationship with alcohol and see if it isn't parallel to your pre-WLS relationship with food.  Only you will know if or when you need some outside help.

As far as giving it up, a social drink here & there isn't a bad thing.  But it's how you mentally (and, if it's bad enough, physically) react to going one day without alcohol.....that determines if you are able to be merely a social drinker or if it's something that you need to stay away from entirely.  Again, only you can make this determination. 

I wish you the very very very very best and please keep us posted.  Take care!    

     

I'M also 4 years post-op. I  have had embarrasing moments with alcohol. I think alot of the drinking post-op is done as a habit. Example. You get home from work and you pour a glass of wine to unwind from a hard day. Before you know it , your feeling a good buzz and get another. Its easy to drink a bottle when your feeling good. Its important to get a grip on self control because it can get out of control very fast. I started changing my routine and hitting  the treadmill once i got home instead of the wine rack. Find something else to full fill that gap. Once you establish a routine that doesnt include alcohol in it, then go ahead and enjoy with moderation. I hope this helps:)

Thanks for the quick replies.  I do think routine has something to do with it.  After a full day of 10+ kids in my home (my own 3, plus daycare) I think I was looking for something to help me relax after the kids are in bed and I can finally sit my butt down.  Also, after being with kids all day, every day for the past 5 years I was looking for something "adult" to participate in, if that makes any sense. 
And the simple pleasure of the buzz takes over and I can easily finish a whole bottle.  For the past week and a half, I have cut down to about once every OTHER day, but still having issues with not being able to stop at one glass.
Oh also - even after hitting a blackout state, I have NO hangovers.  Weird?  OK well I think my goal is to get a handle on this and be able to partake in the occasional drink.  We'll see.......

 I also agree that you are experiencing addiction transfer. And yes....its alchoholism. The first step is to admit it...the second step is to give it up completely.
You are hurting yourself and your young child dear one. Blacking out most nights is severe, its addiction.
I'd encourage you to go to aa, have your family hold you accountable to get all alcohol out of the house and get back on the basic plan for your weight loss, protein, fruits, vegetables.
You are a fighter.....and you can not give up now. That's not an option.
Love yourself enough to change, love your child enough to stick to it. We are here to cheer you on!
hugs

OK...I really understand your situation. I was almost 4 years out..I thought life was going good. I also started having the occasional glass of wine to take the edge of a hectic and stressful day. Well that occasional one turned into a few than nightly. It got out of control and quickly. Want to know how I stopped? I collapsed one night in front of my children. Thank god my sister called..this is from what Ive been told since I have no memory..and realized something was wrong. An ambulance was sent. By the time I was at the hospital my system was shutting down and my family was told that they did not know if I would live. You have a young child, a baby, what if this happens to you? That child cant save you. The pain and the trauma that my family and children have had to go through was unneaded. They still have to deal with so much. I was unable to walk for a long time and had to have extensive physical rehab to walk again. I am in constant pain and take numerous meds. Also my memory is shot. I remember very little from day to day and have to have my family support for everything. I probably will never fully recover. The drinking is stripping your body of any vitamins and nutrion. We already have so much less than others. So please do what you need to do to stop. Go to your doctors get help. I would hate for anyone to have to suffer this way, it is not the life I had imagined when having my RNY.

My prayers are with you.  I can totally understand addiction to food.  I grew up with an alcoholic father.  I loved him dearly, but his problem with alcohol affected the whole family.  This may have led to my addiction to food.  I have terrible memories of his not being available to me, as a child, and also to his wife, my mother.  I plead with you to find help before this becomes a problem that is totally out of control.  I would normally not give my opinion on such a topic, but since you posted, you want guidance.  Don't allow this to overtake you and your families lives.  Many prayers.

Hi Jenn,

I admire your honesty. I went through something very similar. Only you can determine if you're an alcoholic. I'd suggest you check out Alcoholics Anonymous' website and maybe go to some AA meetings and see if you can talk to other women (stay away from the men!). They'll be happy to answer your questions before or after meetings.

Feel free to PM me if you'd like. Good luck!

I think this is happening to a lot of us (including myself), but we are too ashamed and fearful of admitting it.  I think that the majority of my weight came back with alcohol.  I started seeing a therapist and was prescribed a drug called campral that helps with the cravings.  It's amazing to me how many things/people get neglected in life after you start endulging in alcohol.  I will advise anyone - PLEASE nip it in the bud before it gets more out of control.  I will say that the medication works to a strong enough point that I really don't need it all of the time.  Please feel free to email me if you have any questions or need to chat.

I was in denial about being a food addict until after WLS. Before WLS, I was sure I was hungry all day long. After WLS, I realized it wasn't real hunger, it was cravings for my addiction -- food. Once I could admit to that, sticking to the rules was much easier. Denial was my enemy.

You may be in denial too so don't rely on your own instincts to determine if you are an alcoholic. If you can give up alcohol without help, do it. Commit to quiting for a year. If you can't do it on your own, go to some AA meetings or see a counsellor. Keep going until you can reach that one year without booze. Once you're there, you just might realize, yes, you are an addict, to food, to booze, and to any other addiction that tempts you along the way.