9 Years Ago Today

I had my first WLS.  For many years I didn't acknowledge it because I felt like such a failure.  The first 2 years I lost weight, hit my goal and felt great.  The third year I had what I thought was my bounce back.  I went from 120lbs to 130 to 135 lbs, which I was still happy about.  I felt that was a good weight for me.  By 4 years I was about 140 to 145 lbs and at 5 years I was around 150 or so.  Still fine to me, close to a normal BMI and I felt I could live with it.  Unfortunately I kept gaining.  Of course it was because I was eating like crap.  For some reason I got it in my head that I could eat whatever I wanted, IE refined carbs, and still keep my weight under control.  That worked OK for about 5  years but then the honeymoon ended.
I spent the next few years giving up the refined carbs and getting my weight back to around 150 lbs but I still had issues.  I was always hungry, most likely because my surgeon made my sleeve way too big and I could eat as much as I could pre op.  I also had bathroom issues, diarrhea, gas and bloating.  I was in pain every day.  I suffered from chronic bacterial overgrowth and no matter how many probiotics I used nothing helped but Flagyl, which my doctors wouldn't prescribe for me any more because of fear of antibiotic resistance.  I would buy it online but I got too afraid of using them too often, too.
I became very disappointed because I felt like such a failure and I thought I would never have to diet again.  Again my wishful thinking.  I learned that in order to lose weight and keep it off after WLS I would have to do exactly what I did before WLS except that I really didn't have a tool to help me since I was hungry all the time.  Plus I was under the mistaken impression that since I was gaining weight I was also absorbing vitamins and wasn't as diligent about supplements as I should have been.  I followed up with my PCP and surgeon and had labs but they were very minimal and didn't reflect all the possible deficiencies.
I also had no support at all.  I stopped going to my local support group because I felt like such a failure.
Finally at about 7 1/2 years out I was so sick I couldn't function.  I was fatigued to the point of nonfunctional and had such back bathroom problems that I considered wearing adult diapers.  I regretted every contemplating WLS.  I went back to my surgeon and begged for a reversal.
I found that my surgery couldn't be reversed but it could be revised so I wouldn't malabsorb as much.  I also learned, not from my surgeon, that once you have WLS you always need to be careful with vitamins and labs, that the malabsorption of vitamins never ended.  I don't recall learning that in 2002.
With my revision my stomach was also made into a RNY pouch from a large sleeve.  At least that took care of the hunger problem since I found out 6 months later that the rest of my stomach had been removed.  
I decided when I had my revision to eliminate all refined carbs.  I knew I most likely wouldn't be able to eat sugar anymore if I dumped anyway and I accepted that I was addicted to refined carbs and once I started I couldn't stop.  That has served me well as the cravings are completely gone and I don't miss them.  Since then I have gone gluten free and that seems to make a big difference in how I feel.
Do I regret having to have a revision?  I regret not getting it right in the first place, both with the information I had and the surgeon I had.  All I can say is that there wasn't as much knowledge in 2002 about the type of surgery I had, the DS, and who was qualified to do it.  I put my faith in my surgeon and the bariatric program as I always had put my faith in the medical profession.  Said to say I have lost a lot of that faith today.
Anyway, I just wanted to acknowledge this day because even though that surgery didn't end up as well as I wi**** did change my life, mostly for the better but in some ways not.  I have not had an unaltered digestive system for 9 years.  I have been living with the results of my decision since then and learned allot.  If I had it do to all over again?  If I knew everything I know now I would have done things a lot differently of course.  I would have picked a better DS surgeon and bariatric program for one but like I said, I didn't know any better.  I would have learned a lot more about malabsoptive procedures and supplements.  But I can't change the past.  I just am doing the best I can with what I have.
I would urge anyone considering WLS to really research the hell out of it.  Learn all about the procedure you will be having and know it inside out.  Learn how to draw a diagram so you know exactly what is being done to your body and how it affects you.  Don't go into it blindly like I did.  No matter how good your surgeon is or how good the bariatric center you are going to is, you need to advocate for yourself and not put your health into the hands of others without knowing what is going to be done and how it will impact the rest of your life.  Of course you need to trust your health care professionals, too, but you can only do that by researching all that you can.

Tazz, so sorry you had to go through all the hard times.  You have been a great inspiration to many to keep on trying and to work this procedure to get it right for you.  I know it hasn't been easy but you have support now, from us and are working so hard to get healthy.  I have a great respect for you.  It is a shame that so many have failed surgeries because of the lack of knowledge then.  The only positive to that is that the medical profession has learned and we hopefully are better consumers.  I think many of us are so desperate for change that we leap into this without really knowing all the possiblities, good and bad.  Thanks for reminding us that we have to do our part in this whole process.

Thank you Tazz for sharing your journey and all the knowledge you bring us.  I admire all you have done and doing.  You are an inspiration!

Wow Tazz, I didnt know your story, what an amazing journey you have been on.
Great attitude, and I hope all gets straightened out sooner than later!

thanks for sharing ladytazz, i appreciate your openness and honesty.

Thanks for sharing your story, Tazz, and hanging out here with us.

--gina

Tazz, what a journey you have had.  You are an inspiration.  Thank you for being so candid with us about your path over the past 9 years.

After seeing you in your skinny jeans I think your name should be -  A Razza Ma Tazz!  You look great!

Elizabeth

Tazz
Thanks for sharing all your experiences.  We'll all learn from this, and hopefully have an easier time, because of what you have taught us.
Take Care

Tazz, you have been through so much.  Thank you so much for hanging out here with us and sharing your knowledge with us.

I know carbs are so much easier to eat and man you can eat a lot of them.  It is so easy to let your old habits creep back into your life.  

Thanks again.

Linda

Thank you Tazz for sharing your story.  It is sad that so many of us weren't told everything by our surgeons before hand.  And of course if we don't know what questions to ask, we don't know that we're missing some information.  It's good for newbies to hear the whole story-good and bad, so they can make more informed decisions.

Your honesty is refreshing.
Janet