Hello,

Im new to this site and new to sleeving. I'm considering having VSG surgery and have a consult with MD this week. I am also a recovering alcoholic and I attend AA meetings regularly for 2 years (almost 2 years sober). I've recognized for a long time that I use food to "medicate" much like I did when drinking, so my question relates to not be able to use food to medicate after the surgery. While it's become easy for me not to take a drink a day at a time, I will still have to eat after the surgery. Are there others out there who are struggling with other addictions besides food (I dont mean to presume all here are addicts), and how have you been able to cope?

Thanks!

Maxxer

Congrats on 2 years sober!! I am certainly no expert, but most people seem to find relief, at least to an extent, for their constant hunger. I was a food addict and I think the very long (8weeks) of not having any food that wasn't liquid or pureed has helped me break the head hunger.

It is very common that people will transfer their food addiction, though. Similarly the way that you shifted from alcohol to food. You may want to prepare in advance with a support group - like this one!! And meeting group or therapist to support you through this. My sister went through wls and became addicting to shopping - a very expensive habit!! She has joined a support group and is back on track. Some transfer their addiction to exercise - as long as you don't become obsessive/compulsive with it, that could be a good transfer!! Welcome and best of luck!!

Transference is an issue with all of us at one point or another. Once you go through the very uncomfortable reaction from over eating, you decide that it's time to change your ways on food too. I now recognize that the comfort and satisfaction I felt when eating is more from the social interaction and not the food. I did go a little overboard on exercise too but I'm reeling that in, with the help of a very supportive wife.

Im also a recovering alcoholic and I have talked to my doc, my sponser and we are all coming up with a plan to prevent a relapse because of course i went from alcohol to food and do not want to go back. Its going to be one day at a time, but if we keep working the program we should be fine