It’s been about three months since I joined the greater bariatric community. More support and body positivity than I expected. The welcome has been warm and accepting. With the distance of the internet, I can step away from what enrages me and jaded me away from support groups in the beginning.
One of the most interesting aspects is how selective the food police can be. As if in one breath, they seem to condemn sparkling water and applauding vodka crystal light spritzers. The food police berate people for turning to Facebook for advice, yet on one matter, there’s a clamor of “I did this early, no big deal.”
Bariatric surgery feels unique in its nutritional guidance, there appears to be no general consensus. Perhaps this conflicting advice is based on surgery type? Years post-op?
It wasn’t until 2016 that I learned that carbonation was “forbidden” to bariatric patients; or that I shouldn’t drink liquids while eating. We’re all coming from a different place.
However, there is one surgeon’s guideline that has not changed: alcohol. After bariatric surgery, alcohol is a serious issue. Laparoscopic or not, Bariatric surgery is an intensive surgery, and it takes time to heal. Abstaining from alcohol for 6 months to a year based on your surgeon’s guidance is essential. Your doctor’s advice is based on their experience, your body may can’t handle alcohol till later. Also, it’s important to remember during the healing process, we’re not eating nearly enough substantial calories to handle alcohol.
At my year check-in, I was 17, moving to college in the fall. My doctor, in grave terms, gave me this advice:
- Drink a glass of water after each drink
- Don’t chug beer
- Don’t take shots, ever
- Take shots? Just go straight to the hospital.
- As a nerdy engineering student, it took almost 4 years post-op before I tested this theory. Don’t misunderstand me, I drank alcohol, but it was usually Smirnoff ice and mixed drinks.
At a friend’s 21st birthday, there was a line of flaming shots: Disaronno with Dr. Pepper chaser. To this day I remember the feeling, I got half the shot down and then
-BAM –
lava down my esophagus directly to my pouch. Then the most intense cramping pain in my upper abdomen. I felt dizzy, I couldn’t see straight. My then-boyfriend took me urgent care, where I was given a slurry of charcoal and electrolytes.
It was the first and last time I ever took a shot.
There are times when we grow from painful experiences and are the better for it. I genuinely believe this leads me to be a responsible drinker and even avoiding transfer addiction.
What’s transfer addiction? Before my surgery, I could eat a pizza in a sitting or several scoops of ice cream. I turned to food often when I was happy, stressed, or depressed. After bariatric surgery, that’s a lot harder to do. Sure, I can still enjoy most foods but I’ll admit it is still awkward to crave something, give in to the craving only to eat a few bites and be over it. It’s not the same dopamine hit that it was.
For some bariatric patients into
they keep chasing after that dopamine rush. They may find it in drugs and
alcohol.
Wait a minute I thought you said drinking was painful? Why would anyone do that?
I said drinking shots were painful. While I don’t have much to compare pre-surgery, I have noticed compared to others I can “hold my liquor” quite well. When I drink liquor or beer, the buzz never hangs around long, which can keep you drinking to also chase after the buzz. One exception: without food on my stomach, drinking wine is a miserable experience. Dizzying headaches that take liters of water and time to wear off.
This is why waiting 6-12 months before consuming alcohol is essential. It gives you time to get used to your new eating lifestyle. Time to feel the weird pang of disappointment where you’re both full yet want to eat more, then realize you can’t. To find other ways of developing healthy coping behaviors.
Lastly, know that most people don’t become alcoholics post-surgery. There’s also evidence that gastric banding is less likely to lead to this (source).
If you think you’re struggling with transfer addiction, it’s imperative to get help and support.
Useful Links
Bariatric Wisdom on Transfer Addiction
Alcohol: http://www.alcoholscreening.org/
Drugs: http://www.drugscreening.org/