Alcoholism after Gastric Bypass (WLS): Another Part of My Story

Posted by rusty
June 19, 2008

I posted this originally on my blog, New Beginnings, in March 2007. Since then I have received at least one or two emails every week from people battling alcoholism after having had some kind of weight loss surgery. The overtone of the emails is always fear. My advice is to not waste time feeling sorry for youself and asking all the “why me” questions. Don’t waste time telling yourself that you’re not really an alcoholic and that you are different. Don’t let your preconceived ideas about 12 step programs and rehab facilities cloud your reasoning. If you want help, then get help. Now. No excuses. Please, just do it.

dead drunk

There is another part of my story that I haven’t really shared with others and it has to do with the gastric bypass surgery I had several years ago. I had surgery to lose weight so I could safely have another child. And I did. But after Abby’s birth my social drinking turned into a full blown problem that almost destroyed my family (not to mention packing back on 2/3 of the weight I’d lost). Although alcoholism does not run in my family, I realized fairly quickly that I had a severe problem. I got treatment and I found AA. Now I’m working on all the issues I needed to confront and deal with so many years ago. I never really shared this part of my story because I was afraid the AA fellowship might accuse me of making excuses. I’m not. My gastric bypass and my accelerated trip into alcoholism is part of my experience. Maybe I’m luckier this way. Because drinking after WLS (Weight Loss Surgery) was like injecting alcohol directly into my bloodstream maybe I’m lucky that I had to stop now and start on my spiritual journey in my 30s instead of drinking for another 20 years and trying to clean up that much wreckage. Anyway, I’ve discovered that I’m not the only one who has taken this path. Below are some links that discuss the issue of alcoholism after WLS. I would love to hear from other women (and men) that have become alcoholic after WLS so please email me privately at zenrusty at gmail dot com or leave a comment. We’re always stronger together.

Edited 10/22/07: I have received many emails and comments from people in the middle of the struggle I found myself in not so long ago. Your story does not have to have a sad ending. There is help, if you’re willing to get sober at all costs. Let go of your preconceived notions about recovery groups, realize that it is not going to get better until you get help, and then ask for help. Find out where an AA meeting is and GO! Find a local or online WFS meeting NOW! If I can do this thing, so can you.

BTW, I don’t consider my alcoholism a transfer of my addiction. This is a physical disease (with psychological characteristics) that may be tied to, but not caused by my “issues.” I do believe that I abused alcohol at certain time during my life and that my WLS probably just quickened the path to the end result of alcoholism. After surgery, I had a glass of wine and experienced a completely different reaction to the alcohol almost immediately. I guess the question now is how do we spread the word of the dangers of drinking alcohol (even a small amount) after weight loss surgery? Obviously, it does no good to try and get doctors to discuss this with their patients with so much money at stake….who will care enough?

Please read my letter to post operative WLS patients that think they might have a drinking problem.

Alcoholism, WLS

If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.

Comments

No comments yet.

Leave a comment

(required)

(required)


*
To prove you're a person (not a spam script), type the security word shown in the picture.
Anti-Spam Image

Spam protection by WP Captcha-Free