Alcoholism
Height:5'1.5 RNY:11/30/11 HW:307 SW:234 CW:136 GW:140 (LOST 73 Lbs. PRE-OP)
I am in agreement with Dee. I have the occasional drink, even hard stuff and don't have a problem with it. Having had some alcoholics in my family, I believe alcoholism is rooted in a deeper/darker place than having a surgery. Could this particular surgery be a catalyst for some of these issues to come up? Sure, its life changing and often forces us to redefine how we think our ourselves and ourselves in context with other people/our social circles. But on the whole I dont think having this surgery and then indulging in some drinks will automatically, especially in the majority, result in alcoholism. I think its important not generalize something this serious. That being said, I know how difficult substance abuse can be to deal with, having dealt with it when I went through some difficult times in college, adjusting to a new place and people. I ended up in therapy, which made all the difference in the world. I feel for you and will keep you in my thoughts.
But on the whole I dont think having this surgery and then indulging in some drinks will automatically, especially in the majority, result in alcoholism.
Right, not automatically and not for the majority, but it happens often. I know a few post-ops that deal with alcoholism and one that may have drank a couple of drinks a year, only during the holidays and struggles every day with either drinking or wanting to drink.
I do believe we are much more apt to deal with alcohol or other addictions once we aren't using food as our addiction or comfort source.
I'd like to see more studies on the percentage of WLS patients now deal with alcoholism. I also find that those with RNY appear to have more problems with alcohol than other surgery types.
Proximal RNY Lap - 02/21/05
9 years committed ~ 100% EWL and Maintaining
www.dazzlinglashesandbeyond.com
Lets talk 3-4 years from now. I hope you can see the same thing.
Hala. RNY 5/14/2008; Happy At Goal =HAG
"I can eat or do anything I want to - as long as I am willing to deal with the consequences"
"Failure is not falling down, It is not getting up once you fell... So pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again...."
I watched my mother drink herself to death. She was a loving, vibrant, talented and creative woman, and her disease took all of that away and eventually took her life at the horribly young age of 52. She never got to see her grandson, who was born a year to the day from the date she died. Alcoholism is a terrible thing for everyone concerned. Because of that history, I am VERY careful about my drinking, and will continue to do so after my WLS, as I have no desire to follow in those particular footsteps.
I'm sure WLS can be a catalyst for some, but the propensity is always there in some people. There's possibly a hereditary link, although people with no family history can also be affected. I don't know the place you're coming from in your post; while it's not clear, it seems that this is something you may be struggling with yourself. If so, I urge you to get help. If not for yourself, then for the people who care about you. AA is not for everyone, but it may be of help, and there are other groups available. Perhaps individual therapy may be all that's needed. Whatever you think will work, you owe it to yourself and the people around you to get the help you need.
The very best of luck and good wishes! I hope for peace and health for you.
Surgery: RNY on 12/18/2013 with Jay M. Snow, MD "Don't mistake my kindness for weakness." - Robert Herjavec, quoting Al Capone
There was a study a while back that found 10% of RNY patients were alcoholics, but 7% of them had been alcoholics before they had WLS. So only 3% developed alcoholism after surgery. I don't think that is such a huge number. I do drin****asionally. I think I've had four drinks since my RNY five years ago. I don't think it's likely I am going to suddenly become an alcoholic.
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.