Question:
I've had the surgery 4years ago and i just started drinking alot does this have to do

with my surgery cause this has become a major problem to me    — sareah71 (posted on March 6, 2010)

March 6, 2010
Hi Shannon, you may be transferring addictions. It isn't unheard of at all. Some people drink, some shop, some gamble, some seek the attention of the opposite sex, anything to fill that void inside. I don't how much a lot is for you or how often you do it but I would highly advise that IF YOU ARE ABLE TO, to stop now before it progresses too far. If you try to stop and find that you can't then you may want to check out AA. I speak from experience. I'm 10 years post op now. I transferred addictions and drank so much that I couldn't stop on my own. From start to finish my drinking lasted 3 1/2 years. By the end, I was deathly sick. My kidneys were barely working and my liver hurt all the time and I couldn't go more than 2 or 3 hours without a drink before withdrawals would set in. I finally went to AA when my mom jumped all over me in 2004. I've been sober for 5 1/2 years now. I tell you (and anyone else reading) this to let you know that it is a real danger. I hardly ever drank prior to surgery. If you need to talk send me a message through this site and I will send you my e-mail address. I'd like to help if I can. Take care and big hugs to you.
   — Kellye C.

March 6, 2010
drinking what? water, alcohol? what. if alcohol that is bad and you will gain weight back too
   — tl_morgan

March 6, 2010
There is a group on OH that addresses specifically this issue. It is called Crossing Over to Transfer Addictions. This is a very common issue that isn't discussed before hand enough by surgeons and their teams. This group was very helpful to me. I expereinced this problem for a about 1.5 years after I had lap band surgery.I just had a revision to rny. I saw a therapist for two years to help me work through this. I am not planning on drinking for at least 18 months during the prime losing months and perhaps not ever again. Living sober is a relief after what I went through. Please check out this group and learn all you can about transfer addictions. They can happen at any time. The issues one became heavy, fat, obese, whatever we want to call it must be addressed in the head before we can truly be free. I wish you the best of luck.
   — FindingAndrea

March 7, 2010
Much of the time people will start drinking alcohol, beer especially for the iron if they end up iron deficient. Please have your iron levels assessed. Have your transferritin and your iron saturation checked as well. If any of those are low, supplement with iron. That should curb your desires.
   — StrawWalker

March 7, 2010
Much of the time people will start drinking alcohol, beer especially for the iron if they end up iron deficient. Please have your iron levels assessed. Have your transferritin and your iron saturation checked as well. If any of those are low, supplement with iron. That should curb your desires.
   — StrawWalker

March 7, 2010
I had RNY in 2002- I didn't drink very oftern prior to or after surgery until I went through PTSD and Generalized anxiety with the peak bieng 11/08 and during the year 2009 I began using alcohol to self help anxiety. I didn't begin to gain weight until after 1/09 and throughout the year I have gained 45lbs. I have not been using alcohol for a few months however I also have not been able to loose any of the weight I put on. I was told by a person who went through orientation for surgery that they told her alcohol destroys your stoma and of course causes weight gain. I believe that post op WWLS we have are same challenges in life we must deal with and that after WLS it tends to be a transfering habit we pick up instead of food. Just know your not alone.
   — rgreathouse

March 8, 2010
It sounds to me like you are substituting one habit for another. So, you should get to the bottom of the under lying issue by seeing a Psychologist (trist). You have to fix what is broken on the inside before you fix the outside. A doctor might be the best med for you right now. A lot of soul searching will help a little too. Ask yourself questions, like: why do I feel this way, why I am drinking, is it really worth it, I had wls, what is missing in my life that I can't pin point. Trust me, I have done enough soul searching for the both of us. But please don't turn to alcohol to comfort your issues. The surgery isn't the cause of the drinking. It is actually replacing like I said one habit for another. Food used to be your comfort, now it is alcohol. Call a doctor right away. PhD not a family practice doctor. HOpe this helps you.
   — Kristy