I am almost 5 years out from surgery. I lost around 155 pounds and kept it off for about 3.5 years. But in the past 1.5 years, I have suffered from depression and started drinking alcohol excessively ( I typically would have ate food excessively in the past). In the past I could have several drinks and be fine; however post surgery the side effects were much more severe (depression, a feeling of real dependency, blacking out suddenly with no recollection of where the cutoff point would be i.e. 2 drinks now was just as strong as drinking 5) The alcohol goes so quickly into your system that it is a real danger if not properly monitored. Although my eating habits didn't change, without daily exercise and with the added calories of excessive alcohol consumption, I regained around 60 pounds. In addition to the weight gain I have struggled with the affects of alcohol dependency, which I never had experienced before. As VSG patients we were all cautioned on drinking and how it affects us differently after surgery. I didn't really take heed to those warnings until it had become a problem for me. I am working on it daily now and also am struggling to lose the weight all over again, which feels pretty much like as difficult as it had been prior to surgery. I think this is not talked about enough and I'm sure I am not the only VSG patient who has experienced this. As a community being open with one another, and as individual seeking out help earlier, I probably wouldn't be struggling with these 60 pounds now. Anyone who's been through it should reach out sooner than later. Not only have I suffered from this issue, I have had to deal with the fact that I messed up my own progress and success and now have to deal with the ramifications of starting all over again so to speak. This I can say for certain, staying in a support group and dealing with your issues is imperative to continued success in this journey. I'm not sure if I'll loose all of the 60 I've regained again, but I am willing to fight the battle to do this all over again and to warn others of how dangerous alcohol consumption is for us post surgery!

Well done you for telling it straight. Find group support for your alcohol problem and maybe a nutritionist could help you get back on track with your eating program. Best Wishes

Hey cmbtexas! Good to hear from someone from the "good old days" with the chat room. It made me sad to hear about your struggle with the bottle and depression. I must say- I've had similar experiences. Wish we could chat more about it. I've managed to keep off all the weight I lost (100#). I've also managed to lose another 180# (LOL- got rid of the husband). But I picked up the bottle (again). Self-medicating? So, I went back to Alcoholics Anonymous. They have been the answer for me. I enjoy the meetings, the structure, and especially the people. A place to belong. Well wishes my friend!!

There is a family history for drug abuse and alcoholism. I live with a partner who is an alcoholic. Food was such a part of who I was prior to surgery. I have the sleeve done May 2016. The confidence it has built for me has been incredible. But now I am binge drinking and like the original poster - the alcohol absorbs so quickly and I lose track of it plus I black out (I have a history of black outs but not consistently like I do now). Last night I fell and cracked my head open and have zero memory of it. My partner is at wits-end with my crazy drinking and I agree. There is not enough information handed out about WLS and alcoholism. Right now I am on the plan to quit entirely but like any good addict - don't want to and thinking of ways I can get away with it (I just got a new job, I had a rough day, its a holiday, etc). No one is making me quit. I just feel like maybe there is no other way for this to happen. I am thankful my partner has stood by me over the past 6-9 rocky months but we can't last this way and I don't want to be without her. The change is for me, her and us.

I can't afford therapy but does anyone have any thoughts or ideas to help me along with this sobriety?

I wish all of you the best in seeking help. Go to AA. The addictive gene that is in our family skipped me, but not my brother and it led to an early death. I was also married to an alcoholic for 18 years and could not take it and divorced him 23 yrs ago - he and his wife are now vicodin addicts and look like walking death. Please get help, don't wait.