While it is a great achievement to get to goal, success is keeping it off.

I hate the fact that the people who have had this surgery post 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 years are not on this site anymore. MAYBE they are living fabulously skinny, but my pessimistic and I believe realistic view point is that some/most are struggling. Of course there is always going to be that one lady who is like I am perfect, i made it, the sleeve still works for me...Who cares about you! I believe you are the minority.

I got pregnant so the sleeve is not working for me now...up almost 20 pounds! But I will get back to you a couple of months after the baby drops to see where I am. My 2 year surgiversary is June 13, 2013.

I just think people are not smart when it comes to this process long term because no one is really sharing their long term stories. There are 1000 people who have just had the surgery and 10 who had it 2 years ago.

So again, I ask everyone to stick around years out. Even if you are just touching base once every couple of months.

And 1 year out is not really far. Let's say 3 years and up!

You've said it, have you seen the Veteran's forum June13sleever it's rather new.....Could use your imput too.... IMO

I wonder who is the "farthest out" member here. Mods?

Yes! there is even a member there CLK that's pregnant like you! You two should have a lot In common.

Huh?

I'm not sure if this is tongue in cheek or what ...

I got pregnant so the sleeve is not working for me now...up almost 20 pounds!

Uh ... you're pregnant. Did you really want to NOT gain weight? Did you really expect to not gain when you are pregnant?

IMO, people leave the site because they get tired of the high school, petty misunderstandings. I used to be the target of many attacks, if you may remember. There is so much drama on here. I know I have to take breaks from time to time. I have learned how to navigate the land-mines here. But I am a member of a 12 step program that teaches me to carry my experience, strength and hope to others struggling. In the process, it causes me to struggle at times, for sure.

Congrats on your pregnancy AND congrats on your weight gain. Seriously ... you're pregnant ...

BTW, I don't struggle at all with maintenance. This is all through the foods I eat. I had two back surgeries in the last 5 months and have basically stopped all exercise for the last 8 months due to a blown disc in L4/L5.

When I dropped my exercise, I dropped my calories. I was at about 2,200 calories when I was exercising rigorously and now I am around 1,600 ... I would guess as I no longer track. I have found the balance that works for me. I eat nutritious, well balanced meals. I don't have food cravings and I cheat like a M/F at times.

Had me a big bowl of ice cream the other night. Same size as pre-sleeve. Ate the whole thing, no problem.

I'm hoping to be back in exercise form once I finish my physical therapy in another 6 weeks or so and at that time, I'm sure I will be upping my calories again.

I try to get out there and post my experience, strength and hope as much as I can. I have learned a lot from here and continue to research nutritional information and share what I learn. I feel like we all were rescued from a sinking ship. I want to pull out as many people from the freezing Water as I can.

I'm glad to see you are back. Why did you leave? Was it for the reasons you stated?