Hi there hasnāt been a whole lot going on in the last few years with this group. Everyone has been utilizing other resources like AA and such. But if you have any questions, I may be able to assist. 4 years sober, 23 years post op, 10 months post revision.
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Hi, is this meeting still taking place on Sundays?
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Hi Michelle! Welcome! The group kind of disbanded and went with their own support. It was difficult for everyone to keep meeting with different times and schedules. But if you have any questions is be happy to help 
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I changed the name of this thread. Because the AAGB has not hosted a Zoom in some time, I thought I had better clarify. So if anyone would like to have a discussion or ask questions about Alcoholism After Gastric Bypass, please feel free to post.
I was thinking today and thought Iād share:
I often wondered how we found ourselves here as alcoholics so quickly. I didnāt have an alcohol problem before surgery. Transfer addiction- nope sorry donāt buy that. What a way for the medical field to blame the victim. It reminds me of the pharmaceutical company with Fentanyl saying there will be addicts and thatās not their fault. Whatever. I do however feel that we do have the genetic susceptibility for addiction, like most alcoholics. So, thereās the questionā¦wth happens? We go from 0 to 100 overnight. I remember reading how scientists study mice with addictions. The mice get fed the addictive substance continually, whether they like it or not. It gets to the point where the mouse is now physically addicted. Itās not like they had a little pint of vodka or a 12 pack of mini beers next to it lol Post surgery, our food and drinks go directly to our intestines. Anyone who has suffered from ādumping syndromeā would understand this! So in essence, every time we pick up that āsocially acceptableā wine, beer, or cocktail, we become that mouse. We have fed our body a heavy dose like that mouse. It doesnāt take long for US to be the addicted mouse. NOW, letās mix a little physical/psychological trauma and issues in there, OYE! I know that when I lost over 100 lbs, it was a freaking trip. It went fast and all of a sudden society is telling me Iām more āvaluableā. I had been heavy all my lifeā¦so this is what itās like? Can we say self identity confusion? And I can go on and onā¦but bottom line is that itās a crazy mix of moving parts. So, the BIGGEST issue Iāve seen people like us have is that IT IS ROUGH to admit an addiction problem! Once we submit, itās a bit easier. But damn itās hard to get there when one has taken the fast track. So, I think thatās enough for today. But lots of thinking when I commute 45 minutes x 2 a day lol BIG HUGS!
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Is this meeting still available? If yes, how can I join?
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Hi unfortunately no.
āPatients who undergo RYGB may be uniquely sensitive to alcohol exposure, and increased alcohol use may nullify potential gains in overall survival.ā
Studies are being done that conclude what most of us already know. But I think itās most important for many to understand the dynamic. In all the attempts to control āthe beastā, we tend to keep thinking that we are on the driverās seat. Arming oneself with literature confirms that we cannot control the alcohol. Is this our fault? Did we ask for this when we accpeted surgery to become healthier? Of course not. But knowing that itās not our fault that weāve been put in this situation, helps us accept the fact that we canāt control it. And when I say control it, I mean moderate. And boy will it sneak up on us. All of our stories and backgrounds are different and how we are going to handle the alcoholism can be different. But I think being aware of our situation will help take that very first step to recovery.
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The tale of two journeysā¦one requested and one we didnāt.
Accepting the life of post bariatric surgery is a huge decision. The hoops we have jumped through to even have insurance approve it can alone be daunting. Prerequisites of the surgeon and jumping through hoops takes dedication and focus. The start of ones journey for surgery is one we need to change our lives. It can be scary, exciting, and life-saving necessary. But once it is done, then we are in full swing to take care of ourselves. We need to ensure that we drink adequate water, meet our protein needs, stay away from the dangerous foods, take adequate vitamins, exercise and deal with hair loss, among other things. We made it to āthe other side.ā If youāve ever been part of a post surgery support group, thatās what they say, āsee you on the other sideā after surgery. Congratulations you made it! Then a percentage of us start enjoying our cocktails a little more frequently. Then before you know it, blackouts, daily drinking, and the need to have the alcohol as the center of your life takes over. The claws of addiction have grabbed you. Everyoneās rock bottom is different. But now, after denial and hopelessness, itās time to take back the power you lost. Welcome to your second journey. Except this time, itās one that you werenāt expecting. People that are close to you canāt believe this change in you. Itās a very confusing and frustrating time. First know that youāre not alone. So so many of us have to deal with this. Arm yourself like you did in your first journey- knowledge! Start this journey with eyes wide open to addiction. Support is needed like your first journey also. Donāt do this alone. There are so many different groups that can help youā¦ even online. And donāt ever give up. Did you fall down? Get back up and figure why you fell down. So many people have died never finishing that second journey. But you donāt have to be a statistc. Big hugs and lotsa love 
āSee you on the sober other sideā 
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Your posts are a very good resource for anyone going through this or who knows someone going through it.
To finishing the second journey!
Hoping that my friend who has gone through it is doing well. Big hugs. 
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Thank you so much Alisa! Sometimes when you post things you wonder if your blowing dandelion seeds into the air! Lol hereās to hoping it helps 
I hope everything is going fantastic for you!
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Iām going on my fifth year sobriety tomorrow! Iāve been thinking and talking to my family about some things. The first thing my family stated was that they are so happy that Iām not sad anymore. I guess I used to cry A LOT when I was drinking. I donāt remember most of it but I do remember this pervasive solemn feeling the morning after, and with sore caked over eyes from crying. How is it now that I feel so good now? Was it all just the booze changing me that much? I donāt think so. In self reflection, I saw so many self hating aspects of myself, physical as well as mental. The pervasive thought of getting thin was going to solve everything thinking certainly bit me in the ass. Booze induced pity parties nightly was certainly the answerā¦not. But I couldnāt realize this until sobriety cleared my head and I could truly grab those wild emotions for a good amount of time. I wish I could say it was a day or two but I think it took me some years and Iām still not done. What Iām doing differently this time around with my revision, as opposed to the first time? It is that I feel I have more of my witts about me in sobriety. Moods and emotions are now under my control and not the other way around. Itās nearly impossible to choose happiness and peace when you are under the spell of a substance that makes you depressed. Five years ago tonight I remeber thinking, this is it. This is my last night of drinking. Why am I doing this? Why am I sacrificing so much to be sad? After so many times of quitting and picking up again, that day five years ago I knew was going to be different. And I handled it differently. So tomorrow, Iām going to celebrate, not just sobriety, but to my happiness and to the self love that I have given myself! 
support accountability honesty my family and friends 
4.99 years 
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Awesome Sauce! Congratulations on 5 years!
Thank you for your honesty throughout your journey.
I resonate with your entire post. We do recover!
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Love reading this!! Sobriety is such a big change, like you said, learning to control our emotions versus the other way around. Super happy for you and your family!! 5 years is a big deal!!! Congratulations!!!
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@Lisa07 @SassyRocks Thank you 
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Congratulations, @Ravikamor !
Celebrating you and your five years!
What a difference you made in your own life, your familyās, and in so many lives here in this sober community.
The posts, the zooms, the connections, the trips.
Always wishing you the best! 
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Thank you Alisa!!! 
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Sobriety will help bring you to a spot where youāre wanted.
I am still very blessed to have met you and talked all those times. Youāre a wonderful person and Iām glad to have seen you mend life with all the ups and downs.
Someone who has a smile all the time, to help, to guide, to lead and to include.
You helped so many people along the way. Trying new ideas, giving space or being there if need be. Youāre a very strong woman.
I just really am proud of you.
Congrats on 5 years.
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Oh my gosh Andre that was so sweet Thank you
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Lets catch up and do a zoom next week, if we can. Tuesday night or something.
It would be good. Been thinking about you all a bit over the last 3 weeks.
Its where everything started for me, for a lot of us.
Through the ups and the laughs, we should run one.
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