WLS is not always the cure. So there. Go Carnie.
Yeah, I know exactly how she feels. I regained 100 lbs after WLS. And not just WLS but the most extreme WLS there is currently available. The one that no one fails. The one that other failed WLS go to. And I out ate it. It was almost as if I set out to prove them wrong, that you could fail this surgery. And fail it I did.
I didn't go back to my surgeon and ask for a revision so I could lose weight again. I had already decided that I would never have surgery again to lose weight. Not because of the surgery but because I knew that it was me, not the surgery, that failed. If nothing changes then nothing changes. And I certainly didn't change.
I went back to my surgeon begging for a reversal. I had so many problems, all brought on by myself and my noncompliance, and I had absolutely no benefits from having WLS. I accepted that I was one that could not benefit from having WLS as much as I could benefit from having treatment for my eating disorders. It wasn't that I had a bad metabolism and that could be fixed. It wasn't because I ate like thin people ate and I just drew the short stick in the body size lottery. I am a compulsive over eater. No surgery could help me. I could probably out eat any treatment out there.
I was told my surgery couldn't be reversed, only revised. That meant I would have even less malabsorption. That, coupled with my out of control eating pretty much guaranteed that I would see 300 lbs within a year. So when he offered to give me a RNY pouch I jumped at it. Not to get a second chance at WLS but to help me from my rapid climb up the scale. At that point, for me, not gaining any more weight would mean a successful surgery.
Something happened to me after the surgery. I was forced physically to stop stuffing myself and I detoxed enough to see the light. I got it. The surgery was never intended to take the place of eating right, it was to help you eat better. I would have to do the exact same thing to lose weight as I always did, surgery or not. I had to eat less, avoid refined carbs and get in some activity. It finally made sense to me.
To be honest I was one of the lucky ones that never felt hunger after my revision. Still don't to this day. It just doesn't happen to me in the same way it used to. Before hunger felt urgent and it was accompanied by fear that I wouldn't get enough. I was more afraid of being hungry then I was of being fat. I didn't know how long this would last or if it would even last so I decided to take advantage of it and followed the pre op diet to the letter. I could because I lost my desire for refined carbs and I didn't get hungry. That is the only reason. I found out later that my surgeon removed all of my remnant stomach. I didn't know that at the time but I tend to think that by doing that he removed most what produced grhelin and other hunger producing hormones.
Because I was finally thinking clearly and not being driven by hunger I was able to clearly and objectively work on the issues behind my eating disorders. I am still working on those issues and others to this day. Of course that is no guarantee that I won't go back to it. That is a daily decision I make. I did a lot of work in the past on my issues and still managed to continue to overeat and gain and lose hundreds, if not thousands of pounds. That does encourage me is that 31 years I hit bottom with drugs and alcohol and have had any since, nearly 10 years ago I hit bottom with gambling and I haven't gambled since. three and a half months ago I quit smoking and I still struggle with those urges so I know it is a daily fight and it never goes away.
I really wish Carnie the best. I do agree that she probably didn't get the right tool to help her in her battle but as MM said, there is always time for that. Maybe she will have all the available WLS out there and come to the conclusion that maybe she has something to do with it.
I didn't go back to my surgeon and ask for a revision so I could lose weight again. I had already decided that I would never have surgery again to lose weight. Not because of the surgery but because I knew that it was me, not the surgery, that failed. If nothing changes then nothing changes. And I certainly didn't change.
I went back to my surgeon begging for a reversal. I had so many problems, all brought on by myself and my noncompliance, and I had absolutely no benefits from having WLS. I accepted that I was one that could not benefit from having WLS as much as I could benefit from having treatment for my eating disorders. It wasn't that I had a bad metabolism and that could be fixed. It wasn't because I ate like thin people ate and I just drew the short stick in the body size lottery. I am a compulsive over eater. No surgery could help me. I could probably out eat any treatment out there.
I was told my surgery couldn't be reversed, only revised. That meant I would have even less malabsorption. That, coupled with my out of control eating pretty much guaranteed that I would see 300 lbs within a year. So when he offered to give me a RNY pouch I jumped at it. Not to get a second chance at WLS but to help me from my rapid climb up the scale. At that point, for me, not gaining any more weight would mean a successful surgery.
Something happened to me after the surgery. I was forced physically to stop stuffing myself and I detoxed enough to see the light. I got it. The surgery was never intended to take the place of eating right, it was to help you eat better. I would have to do the exact same thing to lose weight as I always did, surgery or not. I had to eat less, avoid refined carbs and get in some activity. It finally made sense to me.
To be honest I was one of the lucky ones that never felt hunger after my revision. Still don't to this day. It just doesn't happen to me in the same way it used to. Before hunger felt urgent and it was accompanied by fear that I wouldn't get enough. I was more afraid of being hungry then I was of being fat. I didn't know how long this would last or if it would even last so I decided to take advantage of it and followed the pre op diet to the letter. I could because I lost my desire for refined carbs and I didn't get hungry. That is the only reason. I found out later that my surgeon removed all of my remnant stomach. I didn't know that at the time but I tend to think that by doing that he removed most what produced grhelin and other hunger producing hormones.
Because I was finally thinking clearly and not being driven by hunger I was able to clearly and objectively work on the issues behind my eating disorders. I am still working on those issues and others to this day. Of course that is no guarantee that I won't go back to it. That is a daily decision I make. I did a lot of work in the past on my issues and still managed to continue to overeat and gain and lose hundreds, if not thousands of pounds. That does encourage me is that 31 years I hit bottom with drugs and alcohol and have had any since, nearly 10 years ago I hit bottom with gambling and I haven't gambled since. three and a half months ago I quit smoking and I still struggle with those urges so I know it is a daily fight and it never goes away.
I really wish Carnie the best. I do agree that she probably didn't get the right tool to help her in her battle but as MM said, there is always time for that. Maybe she will have all the available WLS out there and come to the conclusion that maybe she has something to do with it.
WLS 10/28/2002 Revision 7/23/2010
High Weight (2002) 240 Revision Weight (2010) 220 Current Weight 115.
I have always loved Carnie.
I know she has struggled.
I wish her the best!
I know she has struggled.
I wish her the best!
"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. " -- Anais Nin
Revised from Band to Bypass 10/26/09
High Wt 355/ Surgery Wt 343 (BMI 61) / Current Wt 190 on 3/17/12
TT/Fleur De Lis 8/22/11
Mastopexy and Brachioplasty 12/14/11
Revised from Band to Bypass 10/26/09
High Wt 355/ Surgery Wt 343 (BMI 61) / Current Wt 190 on 3/17/12
TT/Fleur De Lis 8/22/11
Mastopexy and Brachioplasty 12/14/11
Carnie help me take the steps I needed to gain control over my weight. I had the same surgery a few months after her in 2000 and maintain my weight lost up until 6 months ago when I got lazy, stopped working out, finding I could eat anything I wanted and Jelly Beans was my fav. I wouldn't eat lunch or dinner but I could polish off a bag of Jelly Beans in one day.
When I had my surgery 12 years ago I weighted over 309.5# pounds and dropped to 155# within a year. And maintain at 178# until this pass October, I weighted 224 pounds and since I been back to basic as of January 1st of this year I weight 198 pounds this morning. My plan is to get back to my 178 but to do it right.
One of the key things for me when I had my surgery you had to sign a contract with the Dr. and the Center that for three years you kept you follow up appointments with was actually seeing your diet specialist, your surgeron, and your therapst and attend group sessions (Beth Isreal Hosptial in Boston, MA was where I had it done). Started out as every two weeks to monthly than every 3 months up to 3 years out. And many of those who have had the surgery have not had the same follow ups and support I had.
Yes the surgery doesn't work for everyone if you don't work it. But for those of us who has worked it and know what we've been doing wrong and hold ourselves accountable and are regain control. We've been honest with ourselfs and taken the steps to help ourselves. My sister had the Lap Band last year and she meets with her diet speicalist only when she needs a fill but has never had a follow up witht the surgeon or even a therapst. So, I've stepped in to make her talked to me how and why she felt so out of control and depressed...and we talk often and she's come a long way!
When I had my surgery 12 years ago I weighted over 309.5# pounds and dropped to 155# within a year. And maintain at 178# until this pass October, I weighted 224 pounds and since I been back to basic as of January 1st of this year I weight 198 pounds this morning. My plan is to get back to my 178 but to do it right.
One of the key things for me when I had my surgery you had to sign a contract with the Dr. and the Center that for three years you kept you follow up appointments with was actually seeing your diet specialist, your surgeron, and your therapst and attend group sessions (Beth Isreal Hosptial in Boston, MA was where I had it done). Started out as every two weeks to monthly than every 3 months up to 3 years out. And many of those who have had the surgery have not had the same follow ups and support I had.
Yes the surgery doesn't work for everyone if you don't work it. But for those of us who has worked it and know what we've been doing wrong and hold ourselves accountable and are regain control. We've been honest with ourselfs and taken the steps to help ourselves. My sister had the Lap Band last year and she meets with her diet speicalist only when she needs a fill but has never had a follow up witht the surgeon or even a therapst. So, I've stepped in to make her talked to me how and why she felt so out of control and depressed...and we talk often and she's come a long way!
Very well said Gina! Exaclty everything was thinking...
~Christina
http://fordgrl73180.bodybyvi.com/
~Christina
http://fordgrl73180.bodybyvi.com/
Best of luck to her. Haven't walked in those shoes (yet). Meaning I have re-gain, but not nearly that much - it bounces around between 20 and 25 lbs.
I wish we all knew, or knew someone who knew, how to bottle success. Until then I guess most of us will just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other.
It's just sad that even after learning (not until post-op for me) that there is no magic in surgery, people feel compelled to continue having more.
I wish we all knew, or knew someone who knew, how to bottle success. Until then I guess most of us will just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other.
It's just sad that even after learning (not until post-op for me) that there is no magic in surgery, people feel compelled to continue having more.
On March 22, 2012 at 8:26 AM Pacific Time, M M wrote:
My gut answer: so she could continue the carbs.I'm 8 years out from my DS, and I eat quite a few carbs. (More than I should, probably, for general health. *grin*) Yes, if I go waaay overboard on them, I suffer with painful gas for a day or two---but that doesn't mean that I never eat them.
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