Model Lauren Wasser, who lost a leg to toxic shock syndrome caused by tampon, reveals she is about to lose her other leg

Despite losing her leg to TSS Ms Wasser has managed to maintain her modelling career
Cotton On Body
Alexandra Richards20 December 2017

A model who lost her leg after contracting toxic shock syndrome (TSS) from a tampon has revealed she now faces losing her other leg.

Lauren Wasser, 29, lost her right leg in 2012, throwing her modelling career in jeopardy. She contracted TSS from using a tampon while on her period. Initially she suffered flu –like symptoms however her condition worsened culminating in a heart attack which left her on life support.

She suffered gangrene in both her legs and eventually doctors were forced to amputate her right leg below the knee.

Doctors recommended removing her left leg, however Ms Wasser chose to fight to save it.

Now, the model, actress and activist uses her harrowing experience to teach others about the dangers of TSS and tampons.

She recently opened up about her ordeal in an interview with InStyle magazine and discussed the likelihood that doctors may have to remove her second leg.

The model described the continuing effects she suffers from TSS including the pain caused by her remaining left leg which has an open ulcer, no heel and no toes.

She explained how over the years, her body has “produced a lot of calcium, which causes my bones to grow on that foot.”

Ms Wasser had to undergo further surgery to have the bone shaven down on her right leg, but revealed that ultimately she will have to have it removed.

“In a few months, I’m inevitably going to have my other leg amputated. There’s nothing I can do about it,” she said.

Despite the continual struggles she faces both mentally and physically as a result of TSS, Ms Wasser said she was “completely proud” of her golden right leg.

Toxic Shock syndrome is a rare and life threatening bacterial infection. It can cause symptoms such as high fever, low blood pressure, vomiting, confusion and seizures.

It most commonly occurs in women using tampons.

Each year TSS effects about one in 100,000 women.

Ms Wasser shared with InStyle that she is grateful to be alive and hopes to be able to make more women aware of the dangers of TSS, a condition which has claimed so many lives.

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