Question:
Has had concerned concerning other addictive behaviors since RNY?

   — carolyn h. (posted on February 2, 2010)

February 2, 2010
Carolyn, I know I'm an addictive personality. the problem of "transfer addiction" is real, apparently, and to be watched for. I plan to share my concerns with friends & family and ask them to help keep me on the straight & narrow. One rule I know I'm going to follow is "no alcohol" after my RNY this Tuesday. I'm going to find things that make me happy that are not distructive. And... if you have a concern with a present behavior, you could get some counseling. I'm not in counseling right now, but have been for many years on and off and definitely plan to get into it again to help avoid just the kind of thing we're talking about. WLS causes HUGE changes not only in your body, but in your emotional, mental and spiritual life as well. The wise among us will plan to really pay attention to all aspects of our lives and stay on the healthy path as all the changes occur.
   — Greg K.

February 3, 2010
Yes, I didnt really understand the implications of drinking but about 6 months after my surgery I tried to see if I could stomach a shot of vodka since I knew I couldnt mix it with anything else becuase of the sugar. Well, that one shot was great and it hit immidiately. Well...that started my 8 month drinking and it went real fast. I got to where I could drink about a fifth a day. With my stomach, I didnt need alot to feel it but it also passed through quickly too so more was needed. I found out I am just naturally an addictive person and food was just one of my addictive things. So, anyone reading this, please be careful. If you have any addictive personalities, stay away from alcohol. It could have cost me my life in many ways including not really caring what I ate, which is not a good thing at all with this surgery.
   — Christine Jeffers

February 3, 2010
Hi there.... I know this is going to sound crazy, but I developed an addiction AFTER my surgery - to - believe it or not, my SCALE!! I have this really neat scale, called an Omron Body Composition Monitor. It measures not only your weight, but your body fat percentage, your visceral fat percentage, your skeletal muscle percentage, and also your BMI. My daughter tried my scale out, and then bought her own updated model, which also gives your "resting metabolism" rate, and your "body age." I could not help weighing daily... and I would freak out over 2/10's of a pound gain. I also became addicted to my "Body Bugg" - a monitor worn on the upper left arm that measures calorie expenditure and steps taken, and activity levels during the day, and is downloadable to your computer. I mean, these things are not like a substance addiction, but I believe it counts as a behaviour addiction. However, I don't see that either one is harmful. They both tend to keep you "in line" so to speak.
   — Erica Alikchihoo

February 3, 2010
I've become addicted to shopping. Without food to comfort me, I turned to heading to the mall to make myself feel good. My new years resolution last month was to stop or at least cut back on the shopping.
   — Ursie77

February 4, 2010
Everyone, thank you for taking the time to respond to my question. I am in counseling and have discussed my addictive behaviors. When I went for counseling it was to complete my weight loss because I hit a snag and have been going up and down after losing 80 lbs. I am encouraged to know I am not alone and will continue to keep trying to get the last of my weight off, another 40-50 lbs. My life is better in many ways since the surgery but more complicated in other ways.
   — carolyn h.