Wow, it has been a long time since I spent any "real" time here at VST.

For those who may not know me, I'm almost 2.5 years post-op, with well over 100+ posts (so I think I'm ok to post here ) but I definitely count myself in the 'slow to lose' category. I initially lost 100lbs at just about the 18 month post-op mark, and then spent a good 9 months putting on about +15-20lbs by not tracking what I eat, grazing, and generally sort of letting my guard down.

I never quit exercising but in 2012 I took on a full-time job and that put a crimp in my exercise style which was basically workout every day. I went from working out every day to 2, maybe 3 times a week. So that helped also contribute to my gain.

Now I'm not working, but have decided to go back to school (already have my bachelor's but need updated skills) and I've learned the importance of not letting exercise slide. So even though school is a huge time sucker, I've been very true to my exercise pattern. I don't work out every day anymore, but 4-6 days a week is pretty normal for me.

Since Jan 1, 2013 I've now lost -9lbs so I am working off the regain. Then it will be time to get to goal (I never made goal initally.) Part of my absence was due to work, then school, but also for the a lot of the same reasons that many of the vets don't stay here. Another reason is my preferred browser is VERY slow to load this site as it is bogged down with so much advertising that it will literally time out. Alex is working on that, and I have other browsers that aren't so slow. I also have the phone app which does okay reading but I rarely find time to post, as the reading is usually a quick 5 minutes while waiting to pick up a kid from school, etc.

Anyway, just wanting to say hello and meet some of the newer vets... so GLAD to see a Vet's Forum around here! Also happy to see some old timers still here, like Coops, CLK, PDX, Lsereno, MsSkinniness, and Lissa, etc. Sorry if I'm leaving anyone out.

One of my goals is to be around more often!

Hey, M2G!!! I'm thrilled to see your big smile on here! I'm in and out here as well. The new lifestyle that comes with the weight loss has me running crazy, just like you. I haven't had any regain, but my loss has slowed down to almost a standstill due to various issues. Most of those are resolved, so, like you, it's onwards with the exercise goals. You'll have to check in more often!

Hi MG2,

Good to see you too! I love the vets forum. I pop into the other boards to offer advice to newbies here and there, but it is so nice have a space that addresses issues I have now. I'm one year at goal, but I have to watch it. It would be so easy to regain now.

Lynda

It is so good to hear from you......I have a standard fluctuation in my weight but keep my weight at around 147 lbs..... I am on VST less now and I love the Vet's forum. There are times when I go on the newbie's site and give a little input, but not nearly as much as before....I do know that I can eat way more then before and have a tendency to graze if I'm have a bit of an emotional day.....or just plain bored....It's also good to hear your exercising and going back to college....Congrats.....

Hey m2g...

Great to see you, I've missed you!

Now that you're ready I'm sure you're gonna get rid of that small gain and then some! You've always been a good friend to me on here, so shout if you need me!

Glad you're back to the exercise, I know how you enjoy it and get great benefits from it.

Remember, my lovely friend, slow but sure wins the race!

Hugs from across the pond x

Thanks for the nice welcome back ladies!

Due to some of my classes, I've had to miss a couple of month's worth of my regular support groups. (My surgeon does a TON of support, and I'm a support group junkie, like up until my classes started in Jan. I had NOT missed a single month of support since my surgery!) So this is good for me to realize that I can get support here (and I still need it even being this far out!)

So thank you all so much.

M2G - I don't know how it is possible we haven't met. I was sleeved in Dec 2011, hit goal in Feb 2013 - and i admit used to be a more active poster on a different forum because VST at times felt a bit too caustic for my sensitive soul. I did read here alot though, because I felt there was more hard info provided here - and I appreciate so much from the people who came before me. I really miss tiffany and lilmissdiva - both band to sleeve revisionistas like me! Even as we enter the next phase - maintenance - I so much appreciate people who hang around (or come back) and bring their stories and lessons.

Just glad you didn't call me an "old timer" a sensitive subject with me...lol. I feel so incredibly young... at age 48 I feel younger then I did 10 years ago because life is just so much better without all the extra fat, isn't it!

I am so glad you returned here, i know that newbies are so hungry to hear from people more then 2 years out and it is wonderful to hear that you had a little regain, and are fixing it - that is the REAL WORLD!!! Normal people live this way and I think all of us appreciate that kind of role model.

M2G - I don't know how it is possible we haven't met. I was sleeved in Dec 2011, hit goal in Feb 2013 - and i admit used to be a more active poster on a different forum because VST at times felt a bit too caustic for my sensitive soul. I did read here alot though, because I felt there was more hard info provided here - and I appreciate so much from the people who came before me. I really miss tiffany and lilmissdiva - both band to sleeve revisionistas like me! Even as we enter the next phase - maintenance - I so much appreciate people who hang around (or come back) and bring their stories and lessons.

Just glad you didn't call me an "old timer" a sensitive subject with me...lol. I feel so incredibly young... at age 48 I feel younger then I did 10 years ago because life is just so much better without all the extra fat, isn't it!

I am so glad you returned here, i know that newbies are so hungry to hear from people more then 2 years out and it is wonderful to hear that you had a little regain, and are fixing it - that is the REAL WORLD!!! Normal people live this way and I think all of us appreciate that kind of role model.

Yes, that is odd...just maybe as I wasn't posting as much, then you arrived? And you are right, didn't think about 'old timer' as negative. Oops. (Miss Tiffy and LilMiss also...)

Well, at any rate, pleased to meet you and CONGRATS on your loss! And can I just say that if you had made me guess your age there is NO way in a million years I would have said "oh 48!" HOLY COW! You look amazing!!!

Yeah real world creeps in from time to time, and unfortunately as much as I wish it wasn't true, the paying attention to what I eat, tracking from time to time and working out all are factors in my ability to keep it off. I never have and never will be the person who "can just eat anything and I like and never gain an ounce" (don't we all want to smack those people?)

Thanks again for the welcome back...

I'm sitting here feeling guilty that I am not at the gym. Real life does take over and it's a lot harder to fit gym time in.

I am glad you're back! We need more people with more time in post op around here. The board is finally old enough that there's a lot of us fighting regain now.

I don't know why you see ads. I don't see any ads. I use firefox and I have never seen an ad. It has an ad blocker.

I'm sitting here feeling guilty that I am not at the gym. Real life does take over and it's a lot harder to fit gym time in.

I am glad you're back! We need more people with more time in post op around here. The board is finally old enough that there's a lot of us fighting regain now.

I don't know why you see ads. I don't see any ads. I use firefox and I have never seen an ad. It has an ad blocker.

Thanks OD...You are right about the regain being a fight! Aargh.

And oh my gosh, I wonder what setting you have? Because I get all these pop up ads, blinking, and whatnot. And while I get that the site needs ads for business, it gets frustrating when they cause the page to time out due to "long-running scripts." Oh and another thing about the ads, I would LOVE to see an ad with someone who has a real post-op belly, not a six-pack without a scar to be found. Just saying.