You may regret THIS one. The longest post I've ever written. Seven years of regret?

I just don't get this.. WHY for the love of all that is good wouldn't anyone want all sides of a MAJOR surgery discussed?? Do they really think that once you get this surgery life is going to be totally fab forever & ever?

The first thing I did when looking into WLS was read the BAD stuff on everything.. till I almost made myself sick with worry, but dammit at least I knew what MAY happen.. now, later.. 

I don't see you as negative. I see you as telling your truth, your experience. There's a difference, a big one IMO. There's a cautionary take in all of this.. if it's sold as all sunshine and roses, somethings gotta stink in there someplace.. 

I read every bit of it, and your writings always make me chuckle.  You always know how to keep it real.

 Thank you, Michelle.

Hi mm: As always thank you for your honesty.  I read the whole thing and yes I can relate to alot of what you have siad here.  I think you have found your calling.  Yuo should be a writer.  You are honest, your words ring true but also have some humor and are interesting.  Please keep it up for those of us (like me) who feel what you feel but cannot adequately express it.  I look forward to you posts and can only hope to be able to express myself as well as you do.   Keep on posting and thank you again for your story.  Mary

 Thank you Molly.  I appreciate that.  I don't see it myself,  I would never call myself a writer, but I like to see that at I can make sense.  ;)

Loved the whole post Beth!! And so in agreement with your opinion on the cutesy names for everything WLS-associated. I have never understood the need of some to obsess about being post-WLS 24/7/365. I also had the surgery to cure what ailed me, just like with my hyst or any other surgery I had. And no, it is not problem free. It brings along it's own set of issues, but I find them a whole lot easier to live with as a thin person than an MO one. As to your odd abdominal pains, I have been there too. Been scanned, MRI'd, treated with antibiotics, you name it. They finally decided it is bile duct malfunction which can occur partly from having my gall bladder removed and probably partly from being post-WLS. Also referred to as Sphincter of Odi malfunction. Had that dilated which fixed it for a while, but then the problem returned. Out of desperation and a lack of knowing what else to do, my gastroenterologist started me on Actigall. Pretty much cured everything, including most of my gas issues. Supposedly there is no point to Actigall if one doesn't have a gall bladder, but I beg to differ. Hope you get things figured out, and keep up the wonderful brutally honest posts!
-Wanda

Hi Beth

I loved your post. I get tired of the fluff sometimes lol. Awesome that people are doing so well and are so happy, but nice to see a brutally honest post like yours

I am almost 6 years out, down 120 pounds. Never did reach my goal, but that is another story.
I am happy with where I have gotten, if I lose more, that's great too.

Thanks for posting
Take care and have a great day

 Thanks, Joyce. 

I kept it nice too, there's a lot I didn't add.  I could have gotten too honest, I think.  But, I just rambled.

Feelings change, you know?  Six, seven, eight, ten years?   It just... isn't the same.

Good post. Losing 170 pounds was the right thing to do. No matter what other health concerns you have--those extra pounds would have compounded them. Your most important job is to be healthy and present for your kids. I hope you find some answers soon.

Love,

Nicolle

 Here I am.  :)