Help Please - ThinnerTimes

DonnaAnne · 12-27-2006, 11:46 AM

Ok, I will admit I have been a very naughty girl with regards to my eatting and drinking habits. I'm ready to get back on the horse again but not sure what to do to get everything kick started again. I of course have stopped loosing weight and I am getting married in April so I have got to loose the last ten pounds for my personal goal. Please tell me what to do. I'm getting very nervous because I can eat anything I want and not get sick and I can drink like a sailor and I don't want to but my body isn't stopping me like it use to. Please advise!

coptergirl · 12-27-2006, 11:54 AM

First off - stop the drinking (or limit it to a treat every once in a while until you hit goal) due to the extra sugars and unwanted calories. Up your water intake, and go back to basics by eating measured proteins first, then your veggies, and then your fruits and carbs. Journal everything you eat and drink with amounts, and even your feelings when you eat it. Excercise either at a gym or at home or in a local park...just get moving. Just go back to basics, and that last 10 pounds will be off in no time at all

cnvh · 12-27-2006, 11:57 AM

As for the drinking part, and I mean this in the most compassionate way-- if you're able to "drink like a sailor" after this surgery, you must have been working up to it for quite a while and have built a pretty high tolerance. And if you're drinking to the point where you've developed a high tolerance, that's a major sign that you could have a drinking problem.

I urge you to talk about this honestly with your doctor, and get your liver and pancreas checked out. Also, think about taking someone you're comfortable with and go to an AA meeting or two. You won't have to stand up and talk, just go and be there for the experience. It can't hurt.

DonnaAnne · 12-27-2006, 12:02 PM

I appreciate what your saying but I didn't drink before so I don't know if it is an issue or not, I'm not saying it isn't, but not sure at this point. It's not like I "have" to have it everyday but it has become a comfortable way to relax in the evening. I guess that part that surprises me is that I'm able to drink at all. I thought that alchol was full of sugar so wonder why I don't dump?

cnvh · 12-28-2006, 08:05 AM

The fact that you didn't drink before is irrelevant; alcohol can become a problem at any time.

"Tolerance" to alcohol means that you have to drink more than you used to to get the same effect-- in other words if you used to get a serious buzz from half a glass of wine, but now you have to drink 2 or 3 glasses to get the same buzz, that means you are building a tolerance to alcohol. For the liver, "tolerance" means it's not functioning efficiently and that damage may already be starting.

"One of the main medical concerns with regards to metabolic tolerance is that an increase in the production of alcohol dhydrogenase and its corresponding increase in liver activity harms the liver. However, liver damage is not the only concern. Tolerance, particularly upwards of 50%, is a major warning sign of alcohol dependence and can signal a serious concern. In addition, tolerance often leads to an increase in a person's total consumption of alcohol, which, in addition to the aforementioned liver strain, can lead to weight gain and malnutrition." [Taken from the University of Rochester website]

Weight gain is an obvious problem with alcohol consumption, as it has more calories per gram than carbohydrates do, so this is probably a major reason why you're not losing weight. (In terms of weight gain, you'd be better off eating pasta than drinking alcohol.) Also, the malnutrition part is CRITICAL to post-WLS patients-- we don't absorb nutrients as efficiently as we're supposed to ANYWAY, just because of the surgery; drinking alcohol on a regular basis just makes that problem worse.

There is really NO good reason for drinking alcohol on anything but a rare occasion after WLS. If you really don't "have to have it every day," then just stop. It is NOT helping you for a lot of different reasons; whether you realize it or not, it's most likely making things worse.

DonnaAnne · 12-28-2006, 08:10 AM

This is good stuff. Thanks. Little did I know that a glass of wine could cause so much damage. Thanks and I think my drinking days are done.

AlabamaChick · 12-28-2006, 03:05 PM

cnvh, can I hire you to be a motivational speaker? LOL You are great with explaining and makes points. You argue a good case! I also feel the same way as you about drinking....not that I feel there is anything wrong with it, but that for WLS patients, it is a BIG no-no because of health issues. Alcohol also causes ulcers and if anyone has ever had or gets an ulcer like I had, then they would never want to drink again! It's pure H E L L to even get ANY food in with one and food is so much more important when you realize you CAN'T do it and you need the nourishment. That's why I emphasize a healthy lifestyle and remembering the reasons we all this surgery was for good health, why risk dying to have this surgery if you are going to be so careless and risk dying from something like alcohol because it's a negative factor after this surgery. I do really WISH I could drink an alcohol drink sometimes like I used to, but it's just one of the small prices I pay to live longer, just like with not ever eating what I want again...it's a small price to spend several more years with my children and see my grandbabies when they are born. JMO. Donna Anne, I am so happy to see that you have such a positive outlook on the advice you are receiving. That shows you are truly concerned and wanting to take control of your life again and do what needs to be done. You seem like a very strong person. I hope you stay here and let us help you reach your desired goal. I'm sure you will be a beautiful bride anyway, but wont it feel even that much better at goal????

Good luck! Keep us updated. If ya need us, we are here.

Gina in NY · 12-28-2006, 06:37 PM

Good choice on the drinking.

As to losing again, Whitney said it - write down every crumb that passes your lips! You may be surprised. And change/increase or start exercising. Cardio is good, but adding resistance training (weights or belts) is better. Join a class - get a friend to go with you - whatever you can do to keep yourself motivated. Get the junk out of the house - stop eating out - you know what to do. Make a list and read it everymorning before getting out of bed - or tape it to the bathroom mirror.

They say these last 10 are harder than any before, but I'm sure you can do it if you are really motivated!!

cnvh · 12-28-2006, 07:42 PM

I've been working in the field of addictions for about 8 years, as a counselor and (currently) as a case manager. So I work with people whose lives have been destroyed by alcohol and drugs every day. You name it, I've seen it-- and it's NOT always the "town drunk" who has the problem. Ordinary, GOOD people are affected by this disease-- it's not a morality contest; it can-- and does-- affect every type of person out there.

I would argue that 99% of us who have WLS surgery have issues with addiction, most notably with food-- pretty obvious, right? The problem with addiction, though, is that it doesn't just go away when our main "drug of choice" (in our cases, food) is taken away-- THE TENDENCY TOWARDS ADDICTION IS STILL THERE. Which means we are ALL prone to develop problems with other addictions after surgery... whether it's alcohol, pain meds, gambling, sex, shopping, you name it.

Does it mean that addiction transfer is guaranteed to happen? No, but we have to be constantly vigilant to make sure that it doesn't-- attend support groups, be involved with forums like this, be honest with ourselves and those around us with the ups AND downs of our recovery, see a therapist, whatever it takes.

We all know the "HOW" of how we became obese-- we ate too much, simple as that. But we all have to figure out the "WHY" if we have any hope for long-term success-- otherwise, something else is going to come along to replace what food did for us before surgery. That's why alcohol is so very, very dangerous for WLS patients-- not only is it physically dangerous, but it's extremely emotionally dangerous as well... and the only way to assure you won't become addicted to alcohol is to JUST NOT DRINK. Plain and simple.

Trust me though, I'm certainly not painting myself as a fault-less person. I only drank alcohol maybe twice a year before surgery-- and I didn't really enjoy it then, either, so I'm fine with never drinking again for the rest of my life. MY problem substance I KNOW is going to be cigarettes... I smoked for many, many years pre-op, as of tomorrow I will be 1 month smoke-free, but I don't feel like I quit-- I just feel like I STOPPED for a while and I'm practically counting the days until I can have another cigarette. So clearly, I'm not practicing my own advice very well, either... but it's still good advice!!

Duckie · 12-30-2006, 07:28 PM

Donna Anne, I am also glad you have taken this information/advice to heart. What you were describing was sending up red flags to me too.

cnvh, remember: smoking after WLS can also cause complications. Mainly the result is STRICTURES. You've read the horror stories. WHen you think about smoking again, sign on here and read what others have gone through! Maybe that will help. I know it's hard to quit smoking but I did it. You can do it too!
You are so right about the addictive personality. In my life it's been: smoking, drinking, cocaine and of course eating. NOW I am realizing it's shopping. Thankfully I see my counselor next week. I really need to speak to her about this realization.