From food to other "addictions"

[lapitup 0]

Has anyone gone through a change which includes their past love of food before WLS to transfer of those addictions to other things? Such as alcohol, drugs, sex, exercise (I wish)? I am really going through a strange mental change. Now that I'm getting "noticed" and more attention, I have found myself obsessed with the "chase" of male attention. And an increase is sexual encounters that I would have never done before (unhealthy, unsafe, etc.). I'm in therapy. The therapist said that bariatric patients can have this happen. Anyone else out there?:thumbup:

[crzytchr 3]

Has anyone gone through a change which includes their past love of food before WLS to transfer of those addictions to other things? Such as alcohol, drugs, sex, exercise (I wish)? I am really going through a strange mental change. Now that I'm getting "noticed" and more attention, I have found myself obsessed with the "chase" of male attention. And an increase is sexual encounters that I would have never done before (unhealthy, unsafe, etc.). I'm in therapy. The therapist said that bariatric patients can have this happen. Anyone else out there?:thumbup:

I would love to experience being addicted to exercise, but alas, that isn't the case. I haven't really traded addictions, thankfully. I have alcoholism in my family so I stay far away from alcohol. I never really thought about it before, buy maybe the trading of addiction is what leads to many marriages failing after bariatric surgery. That or maybe people leave relationships that weren't healthy to begin with...who knows.

[ksill18 0]

wow that sounds interesting. no real change in addictions except for being addicted to making sure I drink 8-10 glasses of Water a day, not drinking before, during or after meals. I sure hope I can avoid what your going through. I wish you the best.

[Jodi_620 37]

That is something that my psych warned me to be mindful of especially in the first 12 months. And I have to admit it became a bit of a struggle moths 4-6 post-op, not with sex but with alcohol. I had given up overeating/poor eating, cigarettes and Diet Pepsi/caffeine all at once and I went through a two month period where I was pretty much unbearable. I have to admit that the idea of drinking alcohol to calm myself entered my mind a time or two, not just the idea but a strong desire. There was a bottle of Vodka in my house that seemed to call out to me. I am happy to say that bottle still sits undisturbed and I made it through 8 of the 12 months. The desire to replace my lost vices with alcohol has almost gone away.

Edited January 22, 2009 by Jodi_620

[Donna113 2]

The support group I went to a couple of times right after banding discussed this very topic. It seemed the substitute addicition of choice for this group was alcohol. I had no idea giving up overeating could lead to substitute addictions prior to people discussing it at the support group meeting.

I think LBT must be my substitute addiction.

[bandfun4me 0]

We had a Psycologist in for one of our support group meetings on the same topic. trading one addiction for another. Ican see it happening very easily. I think we all will go through them at some point till we realize the better of the evils. I for one seem to be hung up on the exercise routine now. I really feel really guilty if i dont get to workout at least one time during the day. I would rather go to the gym and work like crazy than have ot go eat again. ThenI normall just cook for my family and have a nice thick frozen Protein Shake for dinner. another day, another lb closer.!!

[susan1961 0]

The psychologist who did my pre-op evaluation very explicitly warned about this, and it was also in my pre-op information packet from the doctor. I think you mentioned the big ones: sex, alcohol, and gambling. Exercise would be the best of the options!!

Good luck to you and keep safe!

[ninner 0]

My goal is excercise addiction, followed closely by Sex addiction. I'll leave the drugs and alochol alone for now. One step at a time.

[crzytchr 3]

My goal is excercise addiction, followed closely by Sex addiction. I'll leave the drugs and alochol alone for now. One step at a time.

:biggrin::thumbup::smile::wink:

[RestlessMonkey 7]

OK LOL at NINNER...

and I think it depends (as does everything in life) on many things...WHY you overate, what it "meant" to you, and where else you can get that "thing, whatever it was". Depending on why you overate, you may not substitue anything. I guess if we were taught that excessive exercise is taboo, more of us would so be there!

[Jachut 487]

My instinct is to say no, I have no trouble with this. I drink alchohol regularly but I'm a moderate drinker, usually a glass of wine five days of the week or so.

OK, so I love exercise. I love my running and circuit training and i do work out vigorously for 45 minutes to an hour six days a week. I even continue it when we go on holidays if its practical. But I wouldnt call myself "addicted" to it.

But you know what I cant give up and have even gotten worse at? Obsessing about my body and my appearance. I feel like I've done a 95% good job but that the 5% I havent achieved is driving me crazy. I want those six pack abs and sprinters butt and i'm never going to have it, I'm a 41 year old woman who has had 3 babies and has been overweight. The results I've had and the condition of my body and skin for my history is remarkable and I ought to be pleased as punch with it. But I continue to focus on the minor negatives.

[lapitup 0]

Great comments. I really appreciate it.

How do you suggest I get addicted to exercise?

[Jachut 487]

Eat so much that you have to do it or else you'll get fat again.

Works for me.

[luluc 6]

Eat so much that you have to do it or else you'll get fat again.

Works for me.

works for me.

i gained weight because i kept the same eating habits but stopped being active. if i want to eat - i have to be active, otherwise temper my eating style.

i've been a nit-picker w/the mirror lately; drawing up a list of nip/tucks i may want to improve on - but deep down, i'm good to go w/where things are. i'm not addicted to the gym or exercise to fill another void - it just was part of my past that i left and am happy to be back part of. i like my wine, and told my dr it was not something i wanted to give up - he agreed; so long as in moderation.

my addiction has been this site. i have no local support (dr 1hr+ away), and i have kept this for the most part private. i read, read, - learn, learn here each day. i don't consider that a bad thing.

[Pushin10 0]

I have gone through the same things. Before surgery I was a heavy drinker, smoked a pack a day, gambled too much and overate...just about everything that is bad I use to do. I allow myself one day every two weeks to enjoy my old vices but in moderation and you have to fight it every day. This seems to work for me but if you are having problems I would recommend consulting your Psychiatrist, joining a support group, talking on LBT.