Our Sleeved Life Podcast:

Welcome back OSLP family and today I have something completely different than what we’ve had before. We are gonna talk to a support person and how they were a part of their sister’s journey. Her name is Amanda Wilson, and I just want to thank you for coming on Amanda. How are you doing today?

Amanda:

Thank you. I’m doing okay. It’s not often that I get to speak about Carrie’s journey, but if it can help someone, I’m grateful.

Beginnings: Carrie’s Bariatric Surgery Decision

Our Sleeved Life Podcast:

So to start, how did Carrie’s journey with bariatric surgery begin?

Amanda:

She had her gastric sleeve surgery in 2014. It was a big decision, and she went in thinking it would change her whole life. Carrie was never overweight as a kid, but after high school, things changed. She tried every diet out there before deciding on the surgery.

Early Success and Subtle Signs

Our Sleeved Life Podcast:

How did the first year after surgery go?

Amanda:

Honestly, the first year went really well. She was thriving, sharing progress online, and feeling confident. She lost weight and made big changes. But after the first year, I noticed things started to shift. The posts stopped, and she became quieter. Eventually, she began withdrawing from friends and family.

Transfer Addiction and Hidden Risks

Our Sleeved Life Podcast:

Was there any warning or red flags that things were getting tough for her?

Amanda:

There were signs. She started drinking more, first socially, then alone. The surgery changed how alcohol affected her, and she found she could get buzzed quickly on very little. It became a coping mechanism. I’m not saying the surgery made her an alcoholic, but it increased the risk for her.

Our Sleeved Life Podcast:

Did her care team warn her—or you—about the risk of transfer addiction?

Amanda:

No, not at all. Our family didn’t know about transfer addiction. We had no idea that some patients end up swapping food addiction for something else, sometimes alcohol. No one prepared us for that.

Deterioration and Isolation

Our Sleeved Life Podcast:

When did things get really hard for Carrie and for you as her support person?

Amanda:

It was gradual, but within a few years, her drinking started dominating her life. She lost her job, isolated herself, and her health worsened. Hospitalizations became regular. There was one time the doctors were shocked she was alive, her potassium was so low.

Seeking and Struggling With Help

Our Sleeved Life Podcast:

Did she reach out for help?

Amanda:

Carrie tried. She went to rehab more than once, but didn’t stay. Shame was a big factor. Most programs didn’t know how to deal with someone who’d had bariatric surgery. She wasn’t just another alcoholic, but that wasn’t understood.

Our Sleeved Life Podcast:

Did the medical system address her surgery history at all?

Amanda:

Not really. I told every doctor and every counselor they had to consider her surgery but was mostly ignored. No one looked at how surgery changed her relationship with food and alcohol. It was frustrating and heartbreaking.

Lessons Learned and Advocacy

Our Sleeved Life Podcast:

What do you wish you knew earlier?

Amanda:

I wish I’d known transfer addiction was common. I wish there were resources for families. And I wish medical professionals had training for these unique cases.

The Toll on Family and Loved Ones

Our Sleeved Life Podcast:

How did your family cope?

Amanda:

It was devastating. We tried every kind of support—interventions, therapy—but nothing worked. Grief started before she ever died, because each day felt like it could be her last.

Our Sleeved Life Podcast:

Do you have advice for other families?

Amanda:

Advocate hard. Ask questions and push for specialized care. Love them without judgment. Addiction is an illness, not a choice.

Finding Community and Hope

Our Sleeved Life Podcast:

Did you find any online resources or communities helpful?

Amanda:

Some support groups online helped, but mostly we felt alone. Honest conversations—like your podcast—are needed so more families know they aren’t alone. Community builds awareness.

Closing Thoughts

Our Sleeved Life Podcast:

Thank you, Amanda, for your courage in sharing all this. Is there anything you want our listeners and readers to hear today?

Amanda:

Carrie was creative, loving, and fiercely independent. She was more than her struggles. If her story helps another family, sharing it is worth it. Education and compassion are so important. Hug your loved ones tight.