Confession Time- LONG

Confession Time- I have been drinking way too much lately... to the point where I go out with my friends and I don't even remember coming home. It's bad and I know it. I do this every single weekend- sometimes Friday AND Saturday. During the week night I'll have a glass of wine or maybe two almost every night. This past weekend apparently I passed out at the bar (my fiancee was with me) and I fell over sitting down. I hit the cemet and badly bruised my middle and ring finger on my left hand. I don't even remember doing this. I woke up the next morning with my entire hand swollen. My engagement ring couldn't even fit on my ring finger because it was so swollen. I couldn't bend my two fingers and they are still purple and sore. It hurts to type this right now and yesterday I could barely drive and grip the steering wheel. Needless to say, behavior like this has been happening all to much and yesterday morning I decided to give up alcohol for one month. I say one month, because to me, it's all about making changes and goals and I don't want to say entirely I am going to give it up. I have to say a month so if I fail, I won't be so hard on myself. I refuse to be a statistic and I refuse to be "that girl." I have also gained 2 pounds since my little drinking binge stage. I have gone full force party girl since I would say Halloween. I get the munchies when I drink (the same kind when people smoke weed munchies.) I want to eat everything in site and it's out of control. My best friend is also giving up alcohol for a month with me and we are doing it together. She has put on a lot of pounds due to drinking and she wants to give it up with me. We have each other's back. We are on day 2 and I am not even going to lie, this is harder then I thought. We went out to dinner and usually I would order a drink... or two and I had ice tea instead. I have to know that this is best for my body and I think of all the calories I am saving not to mention the money. I have a tendancy to want to order all my girlfriends drinks when I am drunk which is another story all together. Our alcohol tab on Sunday was $150.00. I am sorry I am babling and I am not looking for any poor you's or to be judged. I am just spiling the beans and it's important for me to "come out of the closet" with this. I am not admitting to be an alcoholic... I am not there yet but I am admitting to be addicted to a damn good time which lately involves alcohol if that makes any sense. That probably sounds like denial but there is more to this then I think. I am a smart lady and know my limits and know that I need to give the drinking up. I'll be the first one to admit a problem and I see this little situation getting worse and worse so I needed to do something and giving it up for a month is a start. I need to find something else to enjoy besides getting tore up with my friends every weekend. They are very supportive of my decision and like I said, my BFF is quitting with me. I think I am going to go get a cute little t-shirt with sparkles on it that says DD- Designated Driver. lOl Anyway, thanks for letting me vent and admitting this. I refuse to become a Gastric bypass statistic and to become "that girl."
xoxoxxo much love to everyone.

Only a couple of words to you my friend.  You were able to beat the eating addiction, and food you need to live, drinking will only shorten your life span, although they say 1 glass of red wine a night is good for you, the abuse of it will only take it's toll on you.  You are taking a wise move and I am glad you have a good friend that is willing to help you!

Know you are loved down here by me and alot of others,

Diane

Congratulations on taking control.  I went through a period of binge drinking when I was 18 that culminated in a date rape so I know full well what overly drinking can do and how hard it is to stop.

You can do this!  The first few days are the hardest but just take it moment and event at a time.

Ms Shell

Hello neighbor, I live in Hollister and that's close enough to be neighbors. I spend a lot of time in Pacific Grove & Monterey, love it!
I can relate to what your saying, I've been there and stayed there for a long time. I wanted to slow down, change my drink preference, drink only one day on weekend instead of two, change my drinking location and on & on.........
None of this worked for me, I learned that putting a time limit on how long I wasn't going to drink wasn't going to work, for me. I always failed. I learned a concept, Just don't drink today, one day at a time was the only way I could do it. The next day, I told myself, Just Don't Drink Today, and I have accomplished more than I could have ever imagined.
I never thought I would ever have fun again without the alcohol. Today I have more fun than I ever did drinking. Now I REMEMBER my fun and have a lot more of it. Never would imagined.
My Doctor stressed to me that I wouldn't be able to drink alcohol like I use to. It was a matter of life and death. He said people that die after the surgery, some of the reasons are because of alcohol & drugs.
This is just my story and I wanted to share it with you. Being a DD is actually very fun, your still in the atmosphere & having fun watching others make ass's out of themselves. I love watching drink people now, rather than being the drunk one.
Best of Luck, your friend,
njo

Jaime,

I don't think you're alone - transfer addiction is fairly common within the weight-loss surgery community.  I think many of us have been there to some degree or another.  I know I have... Do I drink now?  Yes.  Do I drink like I sometimes did in the past? - Nope, not even close!   

You can do it and achieve balance.

I applaud your candid honesty - I know there are others that can relate.

Wishing you the best...

- Patty

Jamie, my friend!!

I'm so proud of you for coming out with this! I think this is one of the issues that doesn't get discussed often enough in regards to WLS.  It becomes too easy to abuse alcohol as a post-op! 

I think it's a good thing that your friend is quitting with you, it will help to have some support. Have you considered talking to somone who you trust about why you've been drinking so much?

Generally speaking, (not addressing Jamie specifically) I think that there is a misconception that losing weight or having WLS is a cure-all for lots of other issues.  Some people think it will cure a troubled marriage, bring happiness, bring love, and that's not always the case.  There's a lot of work that still needs to be done once the body is free from obesity....you have to also address the heart.

In my own life, I've found that I've had to address a lot of issues about why I over ate. I went to therapy for a little while and it helped a lot. I needed to understand what I was avoiding: some painful things in my life.  I couldn't medicate myself with food anymore and I had to face the music finally.

So my prayer for you Jamie is that you find answers to what troubles you.  You have changed your life in so many ways already. You are a courageous woman, and you deserve much health and happiness. You have my support.  xoxoxoxo

 

Thank you. That means a lot to me. I was quickly addicted to shopping until I maxed all my credit cards out... now i need to stop before something worse happens to me. I always tell pre ops that weightloss doesn't cure everything in your life and so many people think that if you lose weight all your problems will go away. NOT TRUE. This is just another challenge in my life I am facing and having to deal with but I know in the long run i am going to be so much better and stronger for it. Kind of emabarassing this whole confession thing but this is the first step for me which is big sharing it. When you don't even remember half the night out is when you need to really re evaluate your behavior and that is what I am doing.
Much love to you and for everyone for listening today.
xoxox
J

Jaime,

I want to applaud your decision.  You are smart to know that you must get a hold of this issue before it gets a hold you.

Lots of love and support from me.

Barb

Jaime,

Congratulations on taking another step towards a healthier you. Thank you for being so honest.

 

Jules

Jamie, You can do this! And congratulations on making the decision!

HUGS
JOY