Question:
Are any of you having problems changing your food addictions for other compulsions?

I am curious, if any of you are having problems with switching your food addiction with other compulsions? I know one women who lost 300 pounds and now is an alcoholic. I know another women who became a sex addict after losing 80 pounds. I am curious is this common? I had my surgery 4 years ago and I have really struggled with the emotional element.    — Patti G. (posted on September 27, 2001)

September 27, 2001
Unfortunately, you are correct. Many people do trade one addiction for another. That's why many smokers who quit gain weight. The idea is to recognize the fact that you have an addictive personality and not to let yourself take on a bad habit to replace the old one. Fight the compulsion to smoke, drink, have compulsive sex, gamble, etc. On the other hand - try to steer yourself towards healthy compulsions such as excessive walking! I used to smoke and drank quite a bit at one time in my life. Let me tell you - nothing is harder to quit than overeating. The reason is because you can completely stop smoking or drinking and forget these habits exist. Eating on the other hand is soemthing we need to control and battle with (at least) 3x a day. So don't worry that you will pick up a new habit and become as much a victim to it as you were to food. There is nothing as bad!
   — [Anonymous]

September 27, 2001
I am trying very hard to convert my FOOD habit to an EXERCISE habit... I figure they will take about the same amount of time and cost about the same amount of money, but obviously, the results at the gym will be more attractive. :-) I am only 10 days post-op but have already been to the gym and walk as much as I can, so I am doing pretty well. It helps to not want to eat!
   — Julia M.

September 27, 2001
Well....I do smoke more now as a post-op than I did as a pre-op. I think I'm replacing the act of eating with the act of smoking.
   — [Anonymous]

September 27, 2001
Hi Patti I definetely traded one addiction for another, in fact many of them. I started drinking alcohol after surgery and for a bit, it was getting a little excessive. I must admit I do still drink, but not nearly as much as I was before. I only go out once a week now, as opposed to 5 nights a week about 6 months ago. I also went through a period of reckless sexual activity. This is not something that I am proud of, but my BF of 4 years dumped me literally weeks after surgery, and I think psychologically, I needed to prove to myself that I was still wanted. I am now in a stable, monogomous relationship and have been for about 4 months now. I don't miss the reckless sex, in fact I am happy that lifestyle doesn't interest me anymore. The one vice I do still indulge in is smoking. I think I smoke more now than I did before surgery, but I do hope to quit sometime soon (my new beau is a non smoker). I had hit a MAJOR depression right after surgery, dealing with my breakup and the lifestyle changes of surgery and now that that is under control, it seems everything else is falling into place. I am happy with my new life, and although brief, those addictions taught me a valuable lesson. Good luck
   — [Anonymous]