Alcoholism & WLS

Just an observation here. I was at a talk given by Dr. Terry Simpson many months ago. He said that there are three primary reasons why people gain their weight back. I think the first was that they just out eat the surgery by not changing bad habits. Second was alcoholism and the third was ruptured staple lines or some other physiological reason. I paid attention to the alcoholism part because my father is an alcoholic and I've always been very careful about my own consumption. Dr. Simpson said that people with addictive personalities just trade one addiction for another - food for booze. About a week ago, I read a study that said that almost 30% of wls patients become alcoholics. That's pretty frightening. I'm starting to see this in real life. I have two very good friends who had surgery a few months before me and I'm frightened for them. They are pretty drunk at least 2 or 3 nights a week. This wasn't the case before surgery. I don't go out with them that often, but when I do, I'm always the designated driver because I don't trust either of them to stay sober enough to drive. I've broached the subject with them individually, but they assure me that they're fine and just celebrating, relaxing, whatever. In fact, they tease me about being a teatotaler and always in control. Anyone else having any experiences with this? Connie

Connie, Before WLS I used to love to have drinks with my girl friends. But I have tried a number of different drinks and they make me feel really weird so needless to say I do not drink and my girls friends don't visit. Funny isn't it. So, maybe that explains my compulution (sp) to eat cheese & crackers. Cindy

Connie, I have not met anyone personally who has taken to alcohol excessively after surgery, but have heard and read a few of the same things you have said. I read that it was felt some of it was in part as well to having a more positive attitude about ones self and then "hitting" the bars more for adult attention and fun, thus getting caught up in the drinking world. which indeed makes sense to me. As well as the giving up one addiciton for another makes sense as well. It just reminds me over and over of the importance of working on all the issues that cause you to eat while you are going thru this. The size of the stomach does not control the junk in our heads. We have a man in our support group who has given up his eating addiciton, but has now become so addicted and obsessed with exercise its scary, people are very concerned about him and these new behaviors. We also read stories of people becoming anorexic or bulimic after wls and those too are unresolved issues and control problems. I do not drink any alcohol and have no desire to, and am thankful that I do not have that demon to contend with, the rest have been batlte enough at times. My goal thru all this was to become healthier, and for me alcohol is not a part of that goal. Thanks for reminding us of the importance of keeping our heads on straight and staying focused thru this journey!!! Janelle

That is really interesting. I also have a lot of alcoholism in my family and I am addictive in my personality, so I have always avoided alcohol. Since it takes less alcohol for us to feel the effects, I suppose it takes less to get addicted as well. This is a good reminder! Now, if I can just avoid the eating problem.... Joy

That is rather interesting and something to keep in mind. I've never been a big drinker, and now, if we go out to dinner, I usually have a glass of wine while we wait for our food. I get rather high after one glass, but the food brings me back to normal again. My boyfriend noticed that red wine does not affect me as much as white wine. I drank alot on vacation, but stopped as soon as I got home. I do believe that working on getting rid of our "demons" before surgery is the answer. A good therapist is worth his/her weight in gold. Thanks for the thoughts! Joan

Interesting information! I have a couple of theories that fall in that line too. One, for years I have felt that metabolic or endocrine disorders predispose some people to alcoholism. Sounds wacky, I know, but think about it: How many families can you think of where half of the people are obese and the other half are alcoholics? It all comes from similar reactions in insulin. Some people translate their cravings into alcohol while others translate them into carbs/sugar. The second theory is that some wls will become alcoholics because of a combination of not feeling comfortable in their own skin, and also because some will spend too much time learning how the "thin side" lives...or their warped perspective of it, and they get themselves into trouble. On one of my other forums a young woman who is a school teacher has found herself drugged and robbed not once but TWICE in the last year from going to parties. Interesting topic - good to hear the stats on that. Might make others wary of partying too hard! Dina

Hi Connie! On a couple of boards I regularly read, I've read about several people trading one addiction (food) for another. In some cases, it's alcohol, others it's shopping, gambling, or even turning to other people (read: not his/her spouse, ifyouknowwhatimeanandithinkyoudo). In an extreme instance, one gal was drinking a large box of Franzia wine every other day (aren't the large boxes equal to about a gallon?) over a period of several months. Since our new plumbing metabolizes stuff much more quickly and such, she developed Cirrhosis of the liver and has cut her life expectancy considerably. I, too, come from a looooong line of "self-medicators" so I've always been wary of my alcohol consumption, but being a gastric bypass post-op has only increased my awareness. Shoot, I got very buzzed after finishing off a small amount of communion wine after mass a couple of weeks ago (as Eucharistic Ministers, we're required to do so because it's blessed). Anyway, next time I'll find another EM to help me with that chore!!! Take care, -Marcie

Whoa! Marcie, you look wonderful! Is this a new pic? Connie

Why, thank you, Connie! That is my one-year re-birthday pic. Hugs, -Marcie

While I have no direct experience with WLS Post-Ops and alcoholism, I'm not suprised to learn about it. I have always felt that there is a connection between overeating and other forms of substance abuse. This all just confirms my suspicions. Of course, I have always felt that food addiction is the most dangerous in that you must consume some of your "Drug of choice" in order to survive. Scary business! Mike