It's been almost 6 months since I've updated all of you on my friend and next door neighbor that had this gastric bypass, which basically turned him into an alcoholic. Last post, I told you about his terrible accident. He did lose his job, his truck drivers license, and his personal drivers license for 2 months, but it took 5 months for the authorities to finally take it. He's is totally burned out. we all feel he is suicidal. He had been over one morning telling me where the money was, and to take care of his wife. He has bruises all over his body from his liver shutting down. 2 weeks ago his wife, my best friend, tried to have him committed. 7 police cars and 2 ambulances. Had to take him forcibly. They could only hold him for 72 hours, because he refused help. The authorities had to report his condition (point 3 8 alcohol level) He lost his drivers license indefinitely. Agreed to take meds and go to counseling though. He came home and has been severely medicated, but sober, we thought. Until yesterday. My grandaughter (17) was at the house to swim. He came over to "Look for his sunglasses", which he thought he may have left the previous day.
He "looked" for them in our pub in the basement. Went home annihilated. His wife called me at work to apologise. I felt terrible that we supplied him, even unknowingly. When I got home about 2 hours later I went back to the pool. I just happened to glance toward the house, and saw him walking toward it. He went into the house through the patio doors, not realising I was watching.
I followed him, and just waited at the top of the steps that lead to the pub. When he came up, he almost fell over when he saw me
there. I told him that my house has been opened to him for 22 years, he is welcome to anything in it, but the booze. And now I have to lock my doors when I go to the back yard. He was totally ashamed, but said he just can't fight it.
Well, I guess he and his wife had it out last night. She has done everything possible to help him, but he refuses to help himself.
today, when I came out to go to work, he was putting his suitcases in the driveway. (Our driveways connect, he couldn't avoid me)
He is moving out, after 36 years. If he does this, he will find a room, and drink himself to death, and there is nothing anyone can do to stop him. He is an adult. I cannot imagine life without this man. He has been our neighbor and best friend for 22 years.
I keep telling his story so that any of you who have ever contemplated this surgery will know what it can do to you. Most medications you cannot take. The one medication alcoholics take that will make them deathly ill if they have even the slightest amount of alcohol, will kill him. Your body, after this surgery, processes alcohol differently than a normal body. I could go on and on.
I don't know what the next chapter in this story will be. We are losing hope rapidly. I hope his story helps someone else out there.
40% of gastric bypass patients develop alcoholism. Extra weight is definitely the lesser of 2 evils. As we all know,there are other
healthy methods. :cry:
