Question:
Has anyone become a post-op alcoholic?
is anyone out there willing to share the same problem I have. In 5 years post-op a few months after my surgery I started to drink casually, then it was hard liquor, now I'm an alcoholic. Has anyone had this problem and how are you dealing with it? All my life I was satisfied with minor drinking till I had the surgery. Now it seems like I cannot stop. It has runied my life, my health, my career due to black outs and seizures from the alcohol. I have tried everything and considering to have my surgery reversed. If any one has a similar problems and maybe some ideas to help me I would appreciate it! I dont thikn I can take anothe surgery! — sgriego (posted on May 17, 2006)
May 16, 2006
This is so sad, I'm very sorry to hear this happened to you. I don't have
any experience with this but I do know I was told that it will take much
less alcohol to get drunk after surgery because it gets absorbed quicker
going directly into the small intestine. I think they said it does not have
the chance to get metabolized by the liver as much. This may explain why it
affected you differently after your surgery. Again, I'm very sorry to hear
this happened to you, I'll keep you in my prayers!
— Rick Bedard
May 17, 2006
Sounds like you replaced one addiction (food) with another (alcohol). Have
you sought treatment ... as in, been hospitalized, gone to AA meetings???
You can't do this alone!!! Talk to your doctor or call a counselor ASAP.
Good luck to you!
— peacefuldaizy
May 17, 2006
Like the other person said, you are replacing one addiction with another.
Most of us have compulsive personalities and you have replaced food with
alcohol.. The one thing you have done is recongnize that you have a
proplem, that is a BIG step in the right direction. Seek out some help!!
Good Luck
— jomamma
May 17, 2006
Statistically, 34% of us will become alcoholics. So, you are so not alone.
27% of us will become addicted to shopping, destroying lives, as well.
And so on with other addictions. You've done the hard part, acknowledging
it and moving forward. I'd recommend the Grad list, where the long termers
are. As soon as you feel comfy there, you can speak of it and you'll get a
LOT of support. The nutritional damage this can do is unthinkable, not to
mention the emotional/spiritual damage it is doing to you, day by day &
hour by hour. Mine was shopping. But it was thrift stores, so didn't ruin
us financially. Still, it was the highlight of my week. That's never a
good sign. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG
— vitalady
May 17, 2006
I'm glad someone else had the courage to post the question because I knew I
could not be the only one that was suffering from this addiction. I wanted
to cry when I read your post. It bothers me as well and I don't know what
to do. It's not easy to admit you have a problem and even harder to want
to give it up because it comforts you just like the food addiction. You're
more than welcome to emai me, maybe we could get through this together?
Laurie [email protected]
— chilin1106
May 17, 2006
Zi havent become an achololic but after 7 years of not smoking GUESS
what!!! I am again. I dont know whyso I'm going to a shrink.
— lizzey627
May 17, 2006
We need a forum for this problem. We process alcohol soooo differently
than prior to surgery. It gets us into trouble. If anyone wants to e-mail
me privately to receive non-judgmental support, I would be interested.
[email protected]
— [Deactivated Member]
May 17, 2006
Hi Sherry.... It took courage to write this. I just wanted to lend support.
I am so sorry that this has happened. You should try to hook up with an
alcoholic treatment center. Seizures and blackouts are an indication that
serious drinking is occuring. Please get help. I don't think reversal of
the surgery will help you because when all is said and done you will still
be an alcoholic seeking a drink and when you do not react to it the way you
do post op I think that would make you drink even more. Then you would
gasin your weight back and it would snow ball. PLEASE GET HELP!!!! You are
causing your body such harm after you went through this major life altering
event for your health. That is not a criticism. Alcoholism is a disease
that requires treatment just like high blood pressure and diabetes. I wish
you the best. Good luck!
— SteffieBear15
May 18, 2006
Read up on this. If the idea of never having a drink again just scares the
crap out of you too much to consider AA, there is always MM (Moderation
Management). It's a movement that is really becoming more popular. You
can read about it at http://www.moderation.org/ - as well, both AA and MM
have online meetings if you are shy about showing up in person. Take a
look at the literature both sites offer - maybe one will strike a chord
with you and you can take the first step. -- Jennifer
— j_coulter
May 18, 2006
It happened to me. I guess we both always had alcoholic tendencies, but
it really kicked in after surgery. I used to go out and drink, but not like
this - it hits us different (blackouts, etc..) I went to rehab (doing good)
but this will definately discourage you - I gained back 50lbs (I was a
lightweight with 100lbs to lose) After all you went through - IT'S NOT
WORTH IT! Take care of yourself - think of #1 first, and what we're doing
to our bodies (liver) Good luck with everything, and look at the big
picture! You're in my prayers.
— jengrz
May 18, 2006
I was wondering if I was the only one. I didn't drink before surgery after
a bad time in my younger years with alcohol. Now I am drinking more and
more. I have been drunk 4 out of seven days this week. It is becoming so
hard to stay away from drinking. I realized I had a problem a few days ago
when everytime I leave the house I want to stop and get a bottle of liquer
or go to the bar. Time to get help before things get completely out of
hand.
— [Deactivated Member]
May 18, 2006
Reversing your weight loss surgery will not help an alcohol addiction. try
a 12 step program. Get counseling. good luck.
— catleth
May 19, 2006
First of all, you took the hardest step: admitting there is a problem. Good
for you. So many can't even get to that point. While reaching out to people
on this board is a VERY IMPORTANT baby step in getting help, you need to
talk to a professional. AA is an EXCELLENT program. Talk to your doctor. I
know it's easier said than done, but don't stop reaching out and don't stop
trying to take the next step. You can't do this alone, and it's okay to
admit that. Hugs to you, and good luck!
— Kellie D.
May 19, 2006
Many of us (although I don't know if it is 1/3) have addictive tendencies.
In your profile, you mention flirting with a pain killer addiction after
some of your reconstructive work. Many of us have also found that there is
a lure to wanting to numb ourselves to the struggle of controlling what and
how we eat. For me, support group meetings and counselling have kept the
other addictive behaviors at bay.
— SteveColarossi
May 19, 2006
Sherry,
You soon have to find your "WHY"...
What type of addiction did you have before... OBESITY.
You are going to have to become "READY for Motivation"
It is so very important to FIX and Refine your attitude,
For things to change you have to change for things to get better you have
to get better...
If ever you want to chat, I am all ears...
Ceelste
— shakeyourweight
May 20, 2006
I am 4 years post op, and only occasionally drank before the surgery.
Within the last 2 years, I have been craving a mixed drink once a night
before I go to bed. I have tried to not drink it but then I lay in bed and
toss and turn all night. It's not that much alcohol, just about 2 oz of
vodka w/ orange juice and cranberry juice, and only right before bed. I
never drink it through the day, but it's something I find that I have to
HAVE. I do get tipsy quicker and the buzz last longer since my surgery.
It's to the point my husband is saying some things, and I didn't want to
blame it on the surgery, but it never happened before the surgery. I think
it's trading one addiction (food) for another (alcohol). My problem is not
as severe as yours, and I wish you get counseling for your drinking. There
are lots of AA or private counselors that will be more than eager to help
you beat this addiction.
— Gretchen A.
May 21, 2006
I really have not had much alcohol since my surgery (12/16/04). You should
not try to get through it alone. Go get help, please. They say the first
step is recognizing that you have a problem!
— Novashannon
May 24, 2006
Sherry-please call me or AA-only for help. Those are the 2 forums that I
know could help you. 6107674994.
Carla
— [Deactivated Member]
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