[fr1endly2]

ON oprah they are re playing the carnie wilson interview.
I am sure she will talk alot about her
journey and experience as a gastric
bypass patient! CHECK YOUR local
listings for air time of OPRAH...

SO if you missed it earlier in the season
I thought you might want to tune
in and view!

kudos

[Spikey1341]

This was the first time I saw this show. I was really surprised about Carnie tuning to alcohol. But as she said, she always had an addictive personality. I understand about the other lady craving the attention, but I guess she must have been very lonely her whole marriage. I read that there is a large percentage of divorces after surgery. I guess the key is to get the support and help you need.

[howietam]

I watched the show too. Did you hear Oprah say that statistics show that 30% of GBS patients transfer their eating addiction to another addiction. I thought that was a very large number!
I haven't even tried a drink of any kind of alcohol since surgery and I have really craved a dark beer. After watching that, I don't think I'll even try it.
Makes one mindful, doesn't it?
I have to say, though, that my pre op couselor did mention that this was a possibility...but even so, you would never think it will happen to YOU!!
I felt very frustrated with the woman who wouldn't admit she was alcoholic, what did you guys think!

[Michelle]

I watched the show too, and I was very suprised by the percentage of people that switch their addictions from food to something else. It makes you think about yourself and wonder...

Michelle

[fr1endly2]

YES I had seen this episode last time it aired and knew carnie had her bout with the drinking post op.
IT happens and i think its one of a few reasons our surgeons suggest no drinking post op......besides the empty calories drinking puts in our eating....and its said to cause ulcers...who knows!!!

NOW as far as marraiges....and divorce...I think the marriages split up post op but the issues are there before the surgery. THE weight loss brings back peoples self esteem and they find more courages to stand up
for themselves post op.

HUGS!

[DocSanae]

The rate of addiction transfer is said to be from 5%-30% depending on the source, but I do get the impression, it is closer to the higher number than the lower number, to be honest.
There usually is a reason (or several) you feel the need to turn to something, take it out on something when you are upset, or feeling low.
Post op, many people do speak of having a hard time trying to control these raw emotions. That's why more surgeons are bringing in therapy into their post op programs, to help their patients learn to deal with what they had little experince in dealing with, before.

I agree with Lisa that the issues that were already there pre op become clearer post op, and that as you learn to deal with them, instead of shying away from them, you may find the need to make changes in your life.

This journey will bring to light, sometimes, more than you had expected, and that can put a strain on you. It may be scarey, but the question is, do you want to insulate yourself forever from life, or do you want to live it in full, feel it in full? If it's the latter, you have to accept that there will be ups and downs in life and in your emotions, bad times as well as good time, whether you are lean or overweight.

I am sure you can all make it through, though, everyone I have met here are all beautiful, inside and out.

((((((((HUGS))))))))

[Spikey1341]

Well said Doc. And Lisa, as for the marriages, what I read is that a lot of marriages fail after surgery, because the women(or men) have been heavy all of their lives and have a tendency to settle when marrying. After they lose the weight and get their self esteem back they realize they don't have to be miserable the rest of their life. Which seems to be the case with the one lady on the show. She said her husband never loved her before or after her surgery. How sad to be trapped in a marriage like that.

I know in one of my classes they told me that there were a few of the patients at my surgery center who after they lost weight, quit jobs they hated and got ones that they loved. The had their self esteem and confidence back and decided to go on with a better life.

From reading and being a part of this board I am learning that this is not only a physical change but a big mental one too. And that support from those around you is a big part of making it through.

[MSmom]

I didn't watch it but my mom did. She FREAKED out! She called me and begged me to not have the surgery. She is afraid I will become addicted to alcohol/drugs. I have never had a relationship with either of those things and I know exactly what it can do to a person. The only thing I am seriously afraid of is the divorce thing. My DH is very supportive but what if that changes after! What if he gets jealous? SCARY

[upullen]

I did watch the show and it was very interesting. I wasn't really prepared for my husband to be so jealous. I have change so much and I believe that was so scary for him. He is getting adjusted to the new me. It didn't take to much time. You just have to reassure him a little. I hope all is well. Take care.

Upullen

[leyva29]

I can't say how people will feel after wls because I haven't been there. Everyone is different in their way of thinking and dealing through life. This is why we have forums and group discussions. There is help out there for everyone. I believe that if you turn to drug or alcohol either you're extremely bored or just have a low-self esteem or had a terrible life from before. I think it can happen to anyone but is up to the person to find professional help and/or increase their level of activities. There are so many things you can do to get help. I'm a strong believer that the wls can really save lives!!! It's been proven. But, is up to the person to do something about themselves after wls.

I've been thin all my life... up to my 30's. That's when I started to gain all of my weight. I was mostly energetic and because I love life so much I never turned to be an alcoholic or a drug addict. I just stopped doing the things I did before and became less active after my marriage at 32 yrs old. And, wa la! here I am bloaded like a gold fish. I'm diabetic because not only I'm I overweight but I come from a background of diabetes, hyperstension, heart problems, cancer, and anything you can possibly imagine.

My insurance does not cover the wls because it is excluded from my work insurance book. I would have to wait until next January "08 to start the process again. And you know what, since I still love my life there is nothing I can do but just to lose as much weight as I can to lower death risk. I lost 3 lbs. this week which gives me a total of 16 lbs. dropped. It is hard but doesn't mean that just because I could not have my wls I was going to become a drug/alcohol addict. Is all in the person.

So, go have your surgery if you can to better the quaility of your life and work with the rest.... after surgery. Get help, exercise, and enjoy activities that you were never able to do before.

Do I make some sense? Doc....do you agree with me? Maybe is just my way of thinking.

Lol,