newbie here...intro...

my name is kas & I had my rny done in june of '07 (or was it '06?...I really dunno & would have to do some research on it...much too lazy to put forth the effort, so let's just go with '07), when I was 38yrs old.

I grew up fat (sorry for those who don't like the term "fat", but that's what it boiled down to for me), and my weight has been an issue for as long back as I can recall.

I had been dxd with several co-morbs, so I started researching wls my insurance would cover at the time...wanting to be prepared & full of knowledge beforehand.

little did I know, the drastic & extreme changes that my wls would soon make in my life & the lives of everyone who loved & cared about me.

I was 235# at the time of my surgery...a rny...very much welcomed by me after having my 5th child...I waited over a year & a half until getting serious about having my surgery...went to pre-op meetings...interviewed surgeons, etc.  thought I had it all under control & was SO excited to experience life like I never had...as a thin person...a "HEALTHY" person.

the surgery went well & I was in and out of the hospital in one day/night...which was followed by my first blockage that prevented me from eating or drinking more than a bite or swallow for 6wks...during this time I was completely convinced I would never be able to eat or drink again, without violently puking or dumping.

had the blockage removed & carried on with life...steadily losing 3-5lbs per day...it was such an exciting time for me!  so exciting & wonderful, I glossed over the fact I could no longer concentrate long enough to read a book, or watch a movie from beginning to end...I was falling in love with my new self & still very much identified as a "fat" person...even though I was slowly disappearing (i'd later be dxd with body dismorphia).

at 5mos post op, I weighed in at 114#...was diagnosed with unforced anorexia, had countless vitamin deficiencies (even with vits & supps), and malabsorption issues...I felt like I was losing my mind...no mental stability, all stemming from malabsorption & malnutrition.

I lost my craving for sweets immediately...and in the years to come, I would pick up new cravings...oysters, crab, mussels, clams, shrimp, BEER, CIGS, and did I mention oysterssssss?

my life has been nothing short of madness since my wls...and I attribute my horrible decision making to the moment my surgeon performed my rny...and I made the best of it in the years following.

I have been through it...if there's a complication...I've had it...I'm sure ykwim.

I've spent a lot of time in my head since becoming thin & can tell you it has changed me forever...but i'm not sure I would do it all over again...dunno if "dying to be thin" is something that's worth it to me, if I had known back then what I know now.

For those wondering, I'm still thin (although I yo-yo in between 130-160) & am a size 6...currently awaiting treatment for a hernia that's taking up space my pouch is supposed to be in...deeming me unable to eat more than a bite or two every hour (and I'm starving all the time...what a sucky feeling!).

anyway, that's a brief introduction & a wee bit of my story...I'm not at all here to convince anyone of anything, but feel like my wls journey is worth sharing, as is everyone's :)

kas

235#/150#/114#

06/2016

Hello Kas,

Sorry to hear that your experience was so horrible for you.  I'm having surgery next week and would like to ask you some questions if I could?  I'm on the lighter side just below 200 lbs at 5'1".  My biggest fear is how do we stop the weight loss if I get too small.  My Nut says she won't let that happen they will introduce healthy fats like nuts, peanut butter etc.  What did they have you do?  I see you have gained some back, have your issue's gone away since you have put some weight back on? No longer considered unforced anorexia?  Why can't you still eat?  to re-gain 30-40 lbs you must be getting something down. 

I appreciate the information, as I am scared to death and want to know/understand the "What If's"

thanks