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I reached goal in under six months. I've been maintaining for almost 3 years. For the first time in my life I eat without guilt. I enjoy food, I mindfully eat. Nothing other than carbonation is 'off limits'. I may choose NOT to eat something, or choose not to it something often, but making wiser choices is much easier. I have a dashboard, just like my truck does. I weigh every morning, I weigh and/or measure my food, I log my food on my fitness pal and track calories and Protein. Just like on my truck, if something is 'off' I know it and know it's time to change something for a few days. I cannot become complacent, I know me, it's a slippery slope. Ten pounds can appear in the blink of an eye, not so easy to drop at this point after WLS, although i don't know first hand, I have a good idea. Losing one or two pounds, not a big deal. Lowering calories by 100 - 150 per day, will send the scale in the other direction and it will all be good in several days.
This is what works for me....again I say, I am never deprived, but everything is counted in MFP, I have ice cream, a jr. dip, once or twice a week. No guilt, this new normal is nice.

Thank You so much for this post! This is exactly what I was looking for!!! You are at goal and still maintaining your weight however you do not stress and worry about every single meal or bite. It helps me to know that in the future I can eat what I want in moderation, it helps me to know that this is possible. Thank You!!!

I reached goal in under six months. I've been maintaining for almost 3 years. For the first time in my life I eat without guilt. I enjoy food, I mindfully eat. Nothing other than carbonation is 'off limits'. I may choose NOT to eat something, or choose not to it something often, but making wiser choices is much easier. I have a dashboard, just like my truck does. I weigh every morning, I weigh and/or measure my food, I log my food on my fitness pal and track calories and Protein. Just like on my truck, if something is 'off' I know it and know it's time to change something for a few days. I cannot become complacent, I know me, it's a slippery slope. Ten pounds can appear in the blink of an eye, not so easy to drop at this point after WLS, although i don't know first hand, I have a good idea. Losing one or two pounds, not a big deal. Lowering calories by 100 - 150 per day, will send the scale in the other direction and it will all be good in several days.
This is what works for me....again I say, I am never deprived, but everything is counted in MFP, I have ice cream, a jr. dip, once or twice a week. No guilt, this new normal is nice.

I have to ask, if you refuse to do the things you listed, what changes are you willing to make after having approx 85% of your stomach removed? After the doctor does HIS part, and we wake up in recovery, the rest is up to us. We have after all, made a lifetime commitment. There is no end date.
I do all the things you listed and it does not feel like a diet, it makes ME feel in control for the first time in my adult life. Had I counted calories, had I been diligent 30 years ago, I might not have found myself sitting in the waiting room of a bariatric surgeon. I made 'healthy' choices, I thought I did, until my fitness pal told me differently, I didn't realize the calories some things contained. I believe it when they say we always underestimate when guessing at calories. You do not have to do what I do, but you must do something if you expect long term, forever success.

I have to ask, if you refuse to do the things you listed, what changes are you willing to make after having approx 85% of your stomach removed? After the doctor does HIS part, and we wake up in recovery, the rest is up to us. We have after all, made a lifetime commitment. There is no end date.
I do all the things you listed and it does not feel like a diet, it makes ME feel in control for the first time in my adult life. Had I counted calories, had I been diligent 30 years ago, I might not have found myself sitting in the waiting room of a bariatric surgeon. I made 'healthy' choices, I thought I did, until my fitness pal told me differently, I didn't realize the calories some things contained. I believe it when they say we always underestimate when guessing at calories. You do not have to do what I do, but you must do something if you expect long term, forever success.

I reached goal in under six months. I've been maintaining for almost 3 years. For the first time in my life I eat without guilt. I enjoy food, I mindfully eat. Nothing other than carbonation is 'off limits'. I may choose NOT to eat something, or choose not to it something often, but making wiser choices is much easier. I have a dashboard, just like my truck does. I weigh every morning, I weigh and/or measure my food, I log my food on my fitness pal and track calories and Protein. Just like on my truck, if something is 'off' I know it and know it's time to change something for a few days. I cannot become complacent, I know me, it's a slippery slope. Ten pounds can appear in the blink of an eye, not so easy to drop at this point after WLS, although i don't know first hand, I have a good idea. Losing one or two pounds, not a big deal. Lowering calories by 100 - 150 per day, will send the scale in the other direction and it will all be good in several days.
This is what works for me....again I say, I am never deprived, but everything is counted in MFP, I have ice cream, a jr. dip, once or twice a week. No guilt, this new normal is nice.

I reached goal in under six months. I've been maintaining for almost 3 years. For the first time in my life I eat without guilt. I enjoy food, I mindfully eat. Nothing other than carbonation is 'off limits'. I may choose NOT to eat something, or choose not to it something often, but making wiser choices is much easier. I have a dashboard, just like my truck does. I weigh every morning, I weigh and/or measure my food, I log my food on my fitness pal and track calories and Protein. Just like on my truck, if something is 'off' I know it and know it's time to change something for a few days. I cannot become complacent, I know me, it's a slippery slope. Ten pounds can appear in the blink of an eye, not so easy to drop at this point after WLS, although i don't know first hand, I have a good idea. Losing one or two pounds, not a big deal. Lowering calories by 100 - 150 per day, will send the scale in the other direction and it will all be good in several days.
This is what works for me....again I say, I am never deprived, but everything is counted in MFP, I have ice cream, a jr. dip, once or twice a week. No guilt, this new normal is nice.

Yes you can certainly eat anything you want. And yes you can continue to be a slave to food.
You can also regain all of your lost weight later on.
Or you may keep it off. Which will it be? Do you have any idea what it's going to be like 1 year, 2 years, 5 years down the line?
This whole "feeling guilty" thing is ridiculous. No one is trying to make anyone feel guilty. No one is trying to shame anyone for eating junk food. But those folks who have been at this a while know that as time goes by appetites change....food capacity changes....metabolism changes....weight loss stops....the things that are working for you now may not work later on. Why not try to beat that need for unhealthy food early on while it's easier? Why does anyone need pizza or hamburgers to feel normal?

Yes! My husband and I split a 100 calorie bag once or twice a week. Just finished one as a matter of fact

Am I the only one who had the sleeve surgery to get off this rollercoaster ride called dieting? Yes it is a permanent lifestyle change, yes I need to watch what I eat BUT is it so bad that I eat a low carb tortilla, or a slice of wheat toast or god forbid a bite of a cookie or a few potato chips at a party to feel normal? I had this surgery to use as a tool to eat less and watch my portions, I did not have this surgery to feel miserable like I can never have tasty food again. Yes it is all about moderation and I stick to the "protein first" guidelines, I drink my shakes, but I need to know I am not alone in thinking this.... If I want a burger down the road, Is it bad to eat one? Well technically probably half a burger with no bun! I am 9 weeks out, and Iv'e lost 39Lbs but I started with a lower BMI. I am happy with my weight loss so far, I just need to know I am not destined for plain chicken and veggies for life!

It may be 'just a number' to some, but to me, it goes far beyond a number. It's part of my dashboard, that number let's me know what's going on 'under the hood'. That number is like a red light coming on in my truck. It lets me know if something needs to be checked or changed. Like you, if I don't see a certain number, or less (in my case it is 142 - 145) I take action, not a big deal, all I have to do is cut calories by 100-150 and the extra pound or two is gone in just a few days. It's as easy as that. I cannot become complacent, in my book, that is a slippery slope and I know how quickly I can slide!!

It may be 'just a number' to some, but to me, it goes far beyond a number. It's part of my dashboard, that number let's me know what's going on 'under the hood'. That number is like a red light coming on in my truck. It lets me know if something needs to be checked or changed. Like you, if I don't see a certain number, or less (in my case it is 142 - 145) I take action, not a big deal, all I have to do is cut calories by 100-150 and the extra pound or two is gone in just a few days. It's as easy as that. I cannot become complacent, in my book, that is a slippery slope and I know how quickly I can slide!!

Hi Everyone,
I am celebrating year 5 of having a very successful weight loss surgery! I was 63 when I had sleeve surgery done, so it is never too late to have weight loss surgery!!!!
This was very best choice I have ever made in my life. I had my Weight Loss Surgery in Oct 2008. After a lot of investigating and considering all the doctors and places I could have my surgery. I made the choice to have Dr. Aceves in Mexicalli Mexico do my surgery. I was a self-pay, and believe me I really checked out every option there was. I was an older person and I really took my time to figure out what was best for me. I talked to a lot of different people who had already had weight loss surgery about who their doctors were.
It wasn’t something I rushed into. It took me about 6 months before I knew for sure that I was going to the right place for me. I also made the choice to have VGS aka the sleeve. I lost of total of 105 pounds and it took me 14 months to do this. Was it easy, yes and no? The 1st month was the hardest month I had to do. After that it just kept getting better and easier each month. It is NOT a magical cure. It is my tool to allow me to use to reach my goal. The big question you are thinking is have I maintained my weight loss goal? The answer is YES, I fluctuate between 5 to 7 pounds sometimes. I still eat healthy, make sure I get enough Protein and stay away from too many carbs. It accurately is a lifestyle change NOT a diet. It is easy for me to live like this and eat like this for the rest of my life. I have some really delicious meals and I never feel deprived at all. Do I eat deserts, yes and it is made healthy and is extremely good. Do I eat deserts every day; the answer is no. I love all the lifestyle changes I have made in my life and it will always work for me.
I was the person who hated to exercise. Now I do something every day. Last Sept, I thought I would just see if I could walk 7 days a week for a month and I did just that. Well that became a good habit and I walked EVERY DAY for one YEAR without missing a day. Yes, I walked outside when it was raining or not nice weather—I am always coming back home, so I will get dry if I get wet while walking. I walked between 3 ½ miles to 4 miles a day. Five years ago, I could have never walked that much. Find some type of exercise that you like and it will be easier to do. Start out slow and then add to it. You don’t have to do it 7 days a week, but do something at least 3 or 5 times a week.
I want you to know that you too can become successful at weight loss. I am 68 now and life is so different for me. If you are thinking about having weight loss surgery, I am living proof that it does work and you can do it too.
Suzanne Beaty
Sleeved Oct 21, 2008

Suzanne, it is great to get re- confirmation of this surgery from someone who is so far out. To the best of my knowledge ( not that great) I think your post is from someone who had their op the longest period ago. Bad English but I hope you know what I mean.
Surgery 18 months ago for me and it has been slow (very slow in places) and steady. I have lost 92lb and have 8 to go to my goal. I love my sleeve and I could not have been in this position without it.
We have a vets forum here please drop in and say hi, I'm sure we would have lots of questions for you.

I'm not perfect but I'm at my goal are you?

Sex is freaking amazing now!!! My boyfriend and I have always had a very healthy sex life but since the surgery I have been out of control with my libido.
Not to mention oh my god the positions, the multiple orgasms and the hours..yes I said hours of sex. And the lingerie!!!

I had sex with my hubby the day I got home from Mexico!!! Than he went back to work for a month and when he came home I was 30 lbs lighter and feeling a lot more confident in myself and YEAH!!! It was the best it's been in years!! Not that its been bad, but it went from good to great!! I can't wait for him to come home again!! With every pound I lose a little bit more confidence comes back, and I too can't wait till he can pick me up and try new positions!!!

Very interesting..lol..I never had sex issues..but since I've lost 41 pounds now..I am feeling beside myself and my husband loves it...lol..such a confidence boost
Allah hu Akbar

I have always had a pretty good sex life, always been confident and comfortable sexually even at my heaviest.
So I was surprised to find that sex went from good to great with my weight loss :-D

Everyone sharing their experience on here is great. Everyone's support and advice is and has helped me get back on track. I'm only down 2 of the 12 I put back on but I feel hope. This is a great page. Everyone is supportive and helps. One week away from my TT and hoping to at least get another 3lbs off. He said he going to me removing at least 10 to 15 pounds of fat and skin. This should get me to my exact goal if I can keep my mouth shut. But with that said I know I can do it. Thanks everyone for your support and advice =)

Happy! I know right were your coming from... I gained 16 at one point (up to 22).... I have it off now, and am one pound from goal. I basically did the same as you.... stopped paying attention, stopped the gym (I had an injury...) had company for almost 10 weeks (can you say happy hour?) I got back on track, and tried a couple of plans, gained 6 more pounds on one of those plans, then finally got on the 5:2... and have lost it all from there. (you know most of us that follow the 5:2 still count calories on "feast" days) Thats how it works. And back to activity, weighing every am and putting everything I eat in MFP 95% of the time....even if its pure crap... seeing the calories of that ice cream for myself is a great motivator. You can do it, and the time is NOW.

It's very easy to gain weight. Life catches up and it's easy to take in way more calories than you think you're eating.
We have to be vigilent. It's much easier to take off 5 than 20.
The boot camp diet works very well for getting rid of carb cravings and dropping weight fast.

It is sooooo easy to gain weight. It's how we all got here to start with. I did it by ignoring the scale, ignoring the need to go up a size all the time, and not sticking with any weight reduction plan for the long haul. So now I KNOW the key to success for ME is diligence. I have to log every bite, even when I hate to admit to myself what I ate, and I weigh daily and record it. It can and will get away from me if I let it. I'd be delusional if I thought I had this beat enough to just watch what I eat and make sure my clothes aren't too tight. The only way for me to beat it is to aggressively manage it. I like the outcome and so it works for me. It's my new life, and I've accepted it. I only hope I can always stick with it - I know myself well enough to know that's where the challenge is!