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Psychotherapy for revision seeking alcoholics



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I was doing great with the sleeve. Then my husband started beating me, my autistic son became a "teenager".... insert dramatic scary music here.... and my mom died on Dec 21. Oh, and I have an amazing 4 yr old girl. I have been hitting the bottle. A lot. In the last 6mo I have regained 15lbs. I'm currently waiting for insurance to approve a revision surgery for my sleeve. I went from 287 lbs to 215 and now 228. My restriction is still pretty good, but I am so stressed out that I have to believe my excess calorie intake is my alcohol intake. I'm not sure what I am even asking, but does anyone know a good way to battle alcoholism and a good type of doctor that is knowledgeable about bariatric issues as well as alcohol issues? Not specifically looking for a particular doctor, but any ideas would be great.

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I was doing great with the sleeve. Then my husband started beating me, my autistic son became a "teenager".... insert dramatic scary music here.... and my mom died on Dec 21. Oh, and I have an amazing 4 yr old girl. I have been hitting the bottle. A lot. In the last 6mo I have regained 15lbs. I'm currently waiting for insurance to approve a revision surgery for my sleeve. I went from 287 lbs to 215 and now 228. My restriction is still pretty good, but I am so stressed out that I have to believe my excess calorie intake is my alcohol intake. I'm not sure what I am even asking, but does anyone know a good way to battle alcoholism and a good type of doctor that is knowledgeable about bariatric issues as well as alcohol issues? Not specifically looking for a particular doctor, but any ideas would be great.
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Oh, also, I have horrible GERD

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The alcohol is likely causing the GERD. Can you try a12 step program like AA? See a counsellor that can help you with your issues and alternative ways to deal with them. You have been through a lot, you need to look after your health.

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Sorry life has been so hard, I agree with Elcee's suggestion though. Good luck x

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I am also a Alcoholic and have not found there to be any ties between the two WLS and Alcohol abuse. This is a nasty hard addiction no doubt and staying sober is very hard. I am by no way clean and sober but i have cut it way back by focusing on my health, my dog, and activities like fishing and females. I found AA to be a freakish cult but it does work for some, My suggestion is to use a aversion approach, it is a common way to divert you away from the use of the bottle. Simply put when you reach for the bottle Drink a glass of orange juice, when you crave the vodka go for a walk, you are diverting yourself away from the addiction by other things. It does work for me, For example wanted to drink last night, so instead i took the dog for a long walk, rented a movie and played clash of clans!

But i have been warned by my doctor it will tear the hell out of you little stomach quickly - so the fear of being dead has me alot more sober

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Sorry to hear that you've been going through a lot. Likely the alcohol is causing the GERD and you'd have to detox completely before undergoing another surgery. Your BMI might be too low at this point to qualify for a revision. But you have the opportunity to work on both issues if you focus first on the drinking part, have you tried AA? I don't think you're going to get your weight under control until you get your drinking under control. My surgeon's office has behavioral counselors as part of the program, does yours? Perhaps you could talk to them.

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I am so sorry for the loss of your mother and the other things you are going through. I had my revision in Sept my weight at surgery time was 213. I also had severe GERD and a fistula,which is why my BMI didn't really matter. You and I are the same height so you may not have any issues getting a revision at your current weight. As far as the Alcoholism goes have you tried talking to your regular DR? Most bariatric surgeons also have you see someone, and they may be able to help. I also agree with the diversion therapy that AJ talks about. I wish you all the best!

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I'm so sorry you are going through this. Saying prayers. I just really encourage you to seek help for this hon!! ((hugs)) You are worth it! And you don't have to go through this alone!!!

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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!
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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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