I definitely believe that we have the potential of replacing a food addiction with another addiction. I've seen documentaties about this and it was one of the questions my family had (alcholism runs in my extended family). I've heard that post-WLS people can easily turn to alcohol because it hits us so quickly, and some people turn to shopping addictions or gambling addictions.

The WLS only helps our bodies, not the emotional problems that led some of us down this road to begin with.

The significant weight loss can also trigger past trauma such as sexual abuse - seems that I didn't have a weight problem until just after that event in my life.

I know for me counseling will be VITAL.

I agree with KGirl -- The surgery is only a tool to help us lose weight- it does not help our emotional issues that brought us to the point we were at however--

Many people have an addiction to food. I myself have recognized that I had/have an addiction to carbohydrates. I have been worried about this subject, because I have heard many stories of people essentially "trading" one addiction for another- and have begun compiling my "Healthy activities or things to become addicted to" list. Also have been compiling a list of goals of things I have always wanted to do, but held myself back because of my fears and my weight.

The bottom line of what I'm trying to say, is 'Yes'. I think it is entirely possible that there is a relationship between WLS patients, and Addiction- although I differentiate between the surgery specifically, and the Surgery patients-

Also, with all of the medical data about how alcohol affects the WLS patients system post-op, I would not be surprised then also if there were other drugs that also affected the body differently than a 'normie' (as much as I can't stand the term!)

Definately an interesting and wonderful question! Thanks for pointing it out!! Am definately interested to hear more viewpoints as well!

butterfly - funny you mentioned your "healthy addictions" list as I started one myself last week! So far the list is short, but I'm trying to think about it every day or so. I've come up with walking, weight lifting, water aerobics, experimenting with healthy recipes, getting back into my crafts (though not exercise, it's healthy!).

I am realizing more and more that all addiction is related weather it be food, drugs or going to the gym. There is a part of the brain that handles the addiction no matter what it may be. I guess we should be more aware of this "side effect" before we jump into anything. I wish I would have known so I at least could have watched out for it.

The one thing my surgeon's weight loss psychaitrist is worried about with my having this surgery is that I'm a stress eater and that something bad will happen when I stop. she's ordered me to see a weight oriented psychologist to deal with my issues when the time comes. And yes, I think you've just traded one addiction for another. I wish I knew the answer to your problem, but at least you're aware that you have it. That the most important part.

Hey yeh! I wasn't much of a drinker. Now I love it. I think for me it was such a buzz getting compliments & so much attention. Just the happiness I've been feelng. The extra boot elivating in my life is what it's been for me. Being able to express my happiness to others, dancing the way i've always wanted to dance in stead of sitting in my seat dancing, I'm up dancing with everyone else & just feeling apart of the in crowd. When I see others that is in the situation I was in, I try & make them feel apart as well & all I want to do is hug them cause I know how it feels wanting to feel apart, but I think it's just a faze & it's up to you to make the choice to stop. I hope it's not hard core drugs because then the opp would have been a waist of time. Cheers m8 I commend you on your honesty. Sam:)

I definitely have been there. FIrst to pain killers, than stimulants and ya know what It is not worth it. Yeah you are substituting one problem with another, but this one will not only kill you, but it is illegal and you could hurt someone else. Now, I am no angel and I have been there and I am still not perfect, but I guess everyone but GOd is still working on that one. One good addiction I have now is dressing really professional. I alway did dress well, but now with the weight loss I love dressing extra special and it makes me feel good. I need to kick the stimulant habit myself. I started using them when I felt like eating again and the dr said I was developing an eating disorder. Imagine me with an eating disorder, it kinda sounded good after being so fat, but that isn't good either. GOod luck, but believe me you are not alone in this struggle.
NAL

I've found that I drink a lot more now than I did before the surgery. I went through a phase where I drank every day, now I'm down to every weekend. I'm hoping I can beat it without AA or anything like that. I do believe we change our food addiction and end up addicted to something else.

I have had an awful time with transferring addictions. I had the surgery 4 years ago and I am just now "sober" or getting there. I was so happy when I got the surgery and wouldn't take it back. Just wish I paid more attention to this part. I thought all that mattered was losing the weight. I'm here.

There are studys out there on this . the dr. are starting to notice a trend. It is very common I went thru it to. here is a link to just one of the artical I found
http://www.wlscenter.com/the_new_addiction.htm

I have never been a drinker, smoker, drug user, etc. I do worry about the transferrence, however I do go to counseling, and I feel that this will be vital. I can see myself falling into a shopping addiction, which may not be physically harmful, but harmful to the wallet, and my marriage!

I just read an artical about how shopping and gambling is right behind drug/alchol addition after weight loss

It's funny because I never even drank, smoked or any of that either! I was, to be honest pretty judgmental of those that couldn't control themselves. It just snuck up on me. I would have a root canal and find I'd save the pills for a day I knew I was expected to be happy. All I know is, you never know.

Our daughter has had gastric by pass surgery and now is in rehab after Rx addiction and being arrested. We suspect that she too traded one addiction for another. Prior to bypass she had a condition known as pseudo tumor where spinal fluid builds up pressure on the cranium and spinal taps have to be performed to take out the excess fluid. She suffered excruciating headaches while battling this little known disease/condition. This condition is rather rare and usually happens to overweight women of child bearing age. Doctors decided that bypass was the answer, as after over 30 spinal taps in a year..these could no longer be done safely. She lost the weight dramatically, but then was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis shortly after the birth of her first baby. As you can see, pain has been her constant companion for about 7 years now. There is of course the psychological component of this also, as the drugs became the necessary evil and her tolerance to their effect increased. Drugs took over her life and we can't just point to the bypass, but we know there were underlying issues that caused her to overeat in the years prior to the chronic pseudo tumor problem.

FLDUO