Trigger Warning: Alcoholism and Death

Bariatric patients face an increased risk of many health issues after surgery. But Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is one of the least discussed issues, even though it increases our chances of major complications and even death. Study after study has shown an increased risk of AUD, leading to severe complications and death three years post-op. The medical community is not in agreement on why this happens, so many years post-op. But understanding that we are at an increased risk after surgery is all we need to know to better equip ourselves to recognize the warning signs of alcohol dependence and addiction to ensure we do not find ourselves on the wrong side of the statistics. 

We had the opportunity to sit down with Ryan and his dad Greg to talk about their mother, Lynee. She was one of the first patients to undergo RNY over 20 years ago and died 10 years after her procedure due to chronic and severe medical conditions. A few years after her procedure, she developed AUD and become dependant on alcohol, exhibiting many of the signs of alcoholism. Her drinking dramatically impacted her physical and emotional health, as well as strained relationships with her family. Ryan and Greg directly link her death to her alcoholism.

We are so thankful to get to know Lynee through Ryan and Greg. And we are grateful that they are willing to share their personal and intimate moments of their lives with us, to help us all understand the risks we take undergoing bariatric surgery and how we can find lasting success when we think we are "healed".

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