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If Not Food Then What?



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I'm into cross word puzzle. Family feud bingo. I love on line games.

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Maybe no one else has a serious issue with this, but I have been drinking excessively for about a year. I don't want anyone else to go through this withdrawal.

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Lisa, Are you drinking like this before or after surgery? Not that one is less important than another, both are very serious.

Have you discussed it openly with your PCP?

Keep on the right path, no matter how painful. We don't need those types of addictions. And especially if WLS is something you want to improve your quality of life. Alcohol will end up destroying you. Don't allow it too.

You are in my thoughts!

Dawn

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I was an occasional drinker before surgery. I am four years post-op. I know it's a matter of replacing the behavior, I'm just selfish enough to want to hold on to it! Foolish, I know...

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Yoga? Can heavier people get in those poses? I think I need to find a way to spike my dopamine levels in a non-addictive way. Any suggestions? I am still pre-op and stagger like a dying cow when I try to run.

Jessie, if you would like to run, may I suggest Couch to 5k. App is C25K. Awesome!! I did it two years ago when I was 270# and still a long way from RNY. I had my surgery on 10/5/12. I run at least 4 times a week. Yes, I'm heavy (255#), but I'm losing everyday...and anyone who wants to stare can watch me the entire four miles!!! Lol

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I would suggest replacing the food addiction with exercise.

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This is a very real and serious problem and its getting worse. I am 10 years post op and I found myself becoming addicted to pain meds. I've never used drugs in my life. I also know 3 friends who after having RNY are now alcoholics. I don't think we get enough support to deal with the emotional/psychological aspect of how this surgery will affect us.

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Please, please see a therapist who deals with addiction. Anyone who tips the scales enough to require rny has an addictive problem with food, period. I know that people don't like to hear that, hell, I didn't, but it's the truth. And if we are not willing to face the truth we cannot get better.

I have tried and failed this weight/food battle for years and now I have irreversibly altered my body to fight this battle. Why wouldn't I (or anyone) do EVERYTHING possible to succeed, including admitting my weaknesses and working with a therapist?

Do it for yourselves!

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I've actually went into treatment and am in recovery now. You are absolutely correct and that is my point. We are not people that just like to eat too much. I did not weigh 314 pounds the day of surgery because I liked cake. I used food as a coping mechanism. And when that was taken away from me it was only a matter of time before I found something else to replace it. I really wish the surgeons took more time to educate and provide more support pre-op to the newbies so that they get a better understanding of this problem.

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I like to say, "You have to feel your feelings...not feed your feelings."

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I like to say' date=' "You have to feel your feelings...not feed your feelings."[/quote']

That is correct

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Maybe no one else has a serious issue with this' date=' but I have been drinking excessively for about a year. I don't want anyone else to go through this withdrawal.[/quote']

Serious addictions are common after wls. If you're really concerned, try AA....

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This is a very real and serious problem and its getting worse. I am 10 years post op and I found myself becoming addicted to pain meds. I've never used drugs in my life. I also know 3 friends who after having RNY are now alcoholics. I don't think we get enough support to deal with the emotional/psychological aspect of how this surgery will affect us.

I urge you to get counseling or go to a twelve step group.

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I do - I'm very involved in NA - I'm here hoping to reach out to others - this is a much more common problem then people think

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Very common....kudos to you for reaching out. Nobody talks about it! And help is needed for those with true addictions.....taking your mind off things doesn't work for true addiction.

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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