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I've read that weight relapse can happen between years 2 and 3. I am coming up on my second anniversary. We'd all love to be 5 # less than we are, and that is true for me as well. One year ago I was careful. to lose weight before my one year weigh- in and so I got down to 148. Since then, I bounce between 152 and 154. The only way I know that is because I weight myself every day. Now, OA used to discourage weighing in more than once a month (or, was it once a week?) But, I got fat from going unconscious about my weight. Truthfully, I do feel a bit of fear / terror that I will step on the scale and be 155. Wow, that does look crazy once I put it into writing! But, that is my drop dead highest weight, Spirit willing. When I eat several days of carbs, I can guarantee a 1-2 # weight gain. I used to track calories (like around 1200 a day kept me stable). But, I'm going to add tracking my volume of the food I eat as well. The absolute hardest thing for me is not drinking at meals. I certainly don't gulp, or drink a cup of water, but I usually take meds with meals so add another 1/3 of liquid to my meal. I don't get to support group much due to schedule conflicts, but am active on my Discussion Group. I am writing just to check in and keep myself accountable. BTW: I am 64 and take meds for hypothyroid and depression. I walk to the grocery store 2 - 3x a week as my exercise, and walk with friends when I can. Start weight 243, SW 214, CW; 154.3 Love to you all, TJ

Hi all, I am 13 months out. Still trying to drop "a few more pounds." (aren't we all?) I was living it up with carbs, I mean serious carbs every day. Like twice a day. Like I used to eat. And I stopped logging and weighing myself. I shouldn't have been surprised that I gained 4 pounds in 1-2 weeks. Gadz, that frightened me. So, I've been pulling away from the carbs and going through a bit of withdrawal, which I know will only last 3 days. Mostly get lethargic and depressed. (So what else is new?) What works for me is to focus on losing ONE POUND. After I get that going, I focus on the next ONE POUND. That feels reasonable, doable, and achievable. But,I would feel ashamed and defeated if I focused on trying to lose 4 pounds. Just a thought.

Follow you sutgeons recommendation, at least for six months , until your tummy jeals.

I recall that one teaspoon of sugar equals 4 grams of sugar. If I am incorrect, PLEASE let me know. When faced with a 16 grams of sugar in my drink, it gives me a reason to pause; can I imagine adding 4 teaspoons of sugar in my drink? Mostly no.

when I was in my rapid weight loss phase, I exchanged one pair of big pants for one pair of new pants on a monthly basis that I bought at Target inexpensively. As I grew out of a blouse, I did the same. The rn in my bariatric programs suggested buying very good undergarments after the first year, but I had to drop to three bras sizes before the year was up. it was such a relief to have a very very few number of clothes. They are all fit, this is in contrast to having one and one half times the amount of big clothes but all which did not fit and made me feel horrible when I wore them. I guess I'm headed down for another size real soon because my friend said I bought my blouse too big.

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but I see the chance to describe how different we all are built. I am 5'4" and at 148# I am still in a size 12.

my surgeon is a man of very few words. But when he speaks, I listened. brief and to the point he said, ' Carbs got you to put the weight on in the first place. Exercise is how you will keep it off.'

I love the way I look people in the eyes, smile, and greet them with a big hello. Other people have noticed this, too. Why just today, a man told me he used to be afraid to talk to me because I was quiet and shy and he was afraid I would break down and cry. Now when I look at people and start a conversation, I feel a sense of freedom because I know for a fact they cannot reject me based on size alone anymore.

I miss club soda. However I think I drank it because I had GERD and did not know it. It helped settle my stomach. I miss being able to eat extremely fast, and eat so much that I fall asleep. I notice now I am more sensitive and my feelings are more easily hurt. Guess the armor of my fat served a purpose after all. I would do the surgery over in a second.

Twenty years ago I dropped to 111 pounds at 5ft 4in. You could see all my ribs on my back! I looked deathly ill. Ten years ago, I weighed 150 pounds through of OA. Today I am at 150 pounds, at 9 mos out. My surgeon did not give me a goal. I am very happy about that. It would be a way I would sabotage myself. I still have a large bra size (though I sag to my waist - LOL). I was 44 J (yes, you read that right) and am now a 35 H. My blouse size was 3x and am now down to a Large. Pants size was 22 down to a 12 now. I had my eyes on 135 # as a security blanket goal to prepare for the rebound which statistically happens between years 2 and 3. However, to keep my goal manageable, I've settled on 143 # as my new goal. 7 pounds seems manageable whereas 10 # does not. I can hear my surgeons short, but potent piece of wisdom; "carbs are how you gained weight, exercise is how you will maintain your new weight." Cheers, everyone, to all of us brave and courageous folks who made a commitment to take on a new way of life. Regardless of your weight or dress size, you are becoming more and more healthy with everyday.

U R A Q T. =)

You not only lost weight, you lost YEARS off of your appearance. I am sure people who haven't seen you in awhile are surprised, and might not even recognize you. You are awesome.

Rmc. Focus first on losing the 0.5 #. Then, you will be back into your bounce zone. Can you lose 0.5#?

I once did the math to figure out how to drink 64 oz of water per day. Taking into consideration the rules for not drinking around my 3 meals/day, I must drink 6 to 8 oz EVERY HOUR.

Medicare advantage to California Kaiser covered all but one night stay in the hospital. What a bargain at $250