Question:
Recovering alcoholics and WLS

I am 10 years sober and have lost the desire to drink. All okay on that front. However, I am wondering what kind of psychological effect there might be when I can't eat like I have been (I'm BMI 45) since getting sober. I have gained a LOT of weight since I quit drinking. Of course, I ate before I learned about booze -- then got skinny while I was drinking -- then rediscovered food. Anyway, it would be helpful if I could hear from some other recovering alcoholics. Thanks!    — [Anonymous] (posted on May 29, 2001)

May 29, 2001
I'm not an alcoholic, but my brother is. Are you worried that you might be tempted to trade one addiction (over-eating) for another (alcohol drinking)? You know, that would be my concern too. However, if you are already aware of this, you have won half the battle. Just avoid replacing the extra food with NEGATIVE additions (booze, sex, etc.) and instead, look for positive addictive activities. I know this sounds strange, but my daughter is addicted to cleaning and straightening. Not to an extreme degree, but she does spend a lot of time and energy on keeping her room, closet, bookshelves, etc. neat and clean and orderly. I have discovered a LOT more energy since losing my extra weight and the desire to sit and watch t.v. while grazing on food is still there -- but the extra energy allows me to clean out and straighten closets, drawers, and even whole rooms at a time. I know, I was amazed too! Mowing and gardening are fun now. Going for walks, watching nature, even shopping are possible now (before I was using a cane sometimes, had a handicap permit, had trouble getting out of the recliner by myself due to the weight and Fibromyalgia.) Just prepare yourself for temptations, make a plan, and you'll likely find that you'll have the energy to work the plan for some pretty remarkable results. I wish you the very best and congratulate you on being 10 years sober -- WHAT AN ACCOMPLISHMENT! I am proud of you and am sure many others are too!
   — Cindy H.

June 1, 2001
I am also in recovery, with 15+ years sober. I still attend AA meetings and still do what is required to stay sober. The whole food thing really is a hard one, I used food before I ever found alcohol, too. However, I don't think that we have any harder a time with using this surgery tool than anyone else would. You don't become morbidly obese by accident. All of these people, alcoholic or not, have issued with food. We just realized that we also have alcoholism. I am 2 and 1/2 months post op and am feeling physically better than I have in a long time, I am only 38 years old and really gained most of the excess weight after the births of my three boys, ages 3, 4 and 6. Just because you are alcholic does not mean that anything else will happen to you as a result of not eating the same way that you always have. It just means that you have to work that much better of a program and stay real close to your support system. I have several friends that have also had this surgery that are also in recovery and they were my inspiration to do it myself. If anything, we alcoholics that are sober are really lucky because when we want to jump out of your skin, we can go to a meeting and share about it instead of eat. Good luck on your journey.
   — [Anonymous]

June 1, 2001
I've been wondering the same thing. On one hand, I'm positive the tools we learned to quit drinking can be used to help with this food problem (I'm at a loss for words) But , I've been wondering if the desire to use will return since the food had become my mood alterer, when i gave up the other substances. I guess being aware and using the tools will be the answer. After all it never was so much a substance disease as it was a mind disease. And of course, there's always the Serenity Prayer.
   — [Anonymous]