March 1st 2014, I will be 4 years out and living in maintenance. All the trials and tribulations of surgery behind me. Life has settle down and routine has taken over. My yearly visits to my surgeons office are pretty uneventful. My lipids are stable because my vitamin regiment is stable.

What I chose to eat is also routine. I don't veer off my food list very often. Boat loads of fruit and veggies, chicken, salmon, etc.. I try not to incorporate different foods in my plan because that seems to be where I get into trouble. I slice and dice, add spice and bake, sauté, crock pot, and broil the same foods just different ways with different spices and flavors. But I found very early on that if I incorporate different cultural foods into my eating plan is where my troubles can begin. for instance, I had to give up (American) Italian food..we all know why..lol. I had to give up most French dishes, we all know why..not that these cultural dishes don't have healthy choices, I just wasn't makin'um. So to eliminate the drama I cause when I veer off, I don't veer much. Food is now a lesser priority then before, is all. When my pouch cries, I first drink water, just to make sure it's not thirsty first, then after that, it still tapping me, I feed it. At this stage I can pretty much tell what my pouch wants, I seldom get thirsty in the mouth anymore, its my pouch thast thirsty, took me a while to recognize the difference. Strange as that sounds it's a fact. My pouch is its own childish entity. At this stage I have also recognize the difference between my brain wanting food and my pouch wanting food. In order to be a successful GBP (Gastric Bypass Person) you have to get to know your body, listen to it, and tell it NO if you have to. I think I'll end this here, I'm a thought blabber..lol..I'm sure I'll be writing more. Its nice to have a place where my babbling might actually help someone..lol..thanx for listening

thanks for this update - what has your weight history been like during the 4 years, or rather, during year 2 & 3? Sounds like you are doing great!

There is controversy about whether our pouch stretches or not - some say it does, some say it doesn't - and some say that it depends on where it was originaly cut. How do you feel about this?

I dont know your age, but could you tell me if the surgery/weight loss has effected your periods - you can private message me that if you want. What about your hair? I had a terrible time (still) with my hair.

Thank you!!

Hello Cherry..My lowest weight was 113, I'm now 115. I don't see to fluctuate much because I am a stickler for what I put into my body. I take this surgery a bit to serious I think. Mostly because ALL processed food makes me sick and dumpy. Bread, Pasta, Rice, Sugar, Dairy, and potatoes give me a instant heavy doey feeling in my stomach. Horrible feeling, Its my pouch that decides what its going to eat, and I listen, basically. I don't push the boundries of my pouch. My feeling is this..My surgery was a God Send. A once in a life time chance for me to get it right this time. What an UNBELIEVABLE gift, don't you think? There is no way in hell I'm missing this train again! My health and family are to important to me, plus I'm sexy as hell now..lol. So to answer your question, my weight is stable because I eat 'mindfully and exercise regularly'. This body feels better than food tastes!! My weight does go up and down on its own, strange as that sounds. 5 lbs up sometimes, 5lbs down. I use to that now.

My pouch stretches depending on what I put in it. Seems I can eat platters full of fruits and veg, and don't get sick, just very full. When I have 4 bites of mash potatoes or bread I feel like I'm going to explode. So I think if you eat lots of processes garbage/dead food and sweets, Ice creams, cakes, I think you get the FEELING like its stretching. I think you can train any thing to stretch if you abuse it enough. Very sad state of affairs if you can accomplish that. Why have this surgery if your going abuse all the hard work it takes to be healthy. I never understood that? Addiction I totally understand, I had a sugar one. But all addictions can be cured. Disease's on the other hand are a bit trickier. But I don't remember ever hearing mineless overeating & bad health was a disease?

And your last (awesome) question. I am 54, and here's something I this is quite amusing. when I'm in 5 lbs up mode (120lbs) I have my period, its like my body knows, and jumps up 5 lbs, when a week or so later back to 115. When I'm stressed and over tired, or just now up to par, I go down to 110, weird, the body has its own way of coping with what's going on around it. So don't freak out if one morning you wake up and your 6 lbs heavier. Specially if you did nothing to cause it. Its one of the nature of this beast. I don't know if it happens to men.

Hope I answer all your question to satisfaction, I have a tendency to babble..lol..thank you so much for the questions. I love questions. take care Cherry

Hell....Im a crappy typer..lol..but you get the jist

My feeling is this..My surgery was a God Send. A once in a life time chance for me to get it right this time. What an UNBELIEVABLE gift, don't you think? There is no way in hell I'm missing this train again! My health and family are to important to me, plus I'm sexy as hell now..lol.

This body feels better than food tastes!!

WOWOWOW - amazingly stated!! I think you are a GREAT role model for a successful surgery and attitude.

I have several friends who had the surgery and within 18 months, a few of them (3 that I can think of right now), basically never lost more than 80 lbs and actually are just as heavy today as they were. I constantly wonder what danger they have put themselves in and feel sad that they never succeeded - 2 of them blame everyone else as each one is constantly posting their food affairs on Facebook while I SMH.

I feel like you do - and I WILL be a success still in 4 years. But wow you hit it on the head with saying "it feels better than food tastes".

I have always had problems with an ansent period, and PCOD. The week after surgery I got my period for the first time in a year. That was 9 months ago. With each month, I am actually getting it about every 30 days for the first time in my life (I am 43). Also, I dont gain weight from it BUT as soon as it is over is when I drop my monthly 3 lbs - so I actually look forward to it because I KNOW 5 days later, the scale moves (sounds silly cause I LOVED life without a period LOL).

OK thank you and I will probably write again - off to bed!

Hell....Im a crappy typer..lol..but you get the jist

Hi I was wondering what was your total weight loss and what was your highest weight? What do u eat?

What a wonderful story! I need help. I am 4 years postoperative lost 101 pounds and gained back 35. I lost my insurance so can't go to the doctor for help. I need to get back on track. How many calories should I have? What do I eat? How many grams of protein. I know I should stay away from carbs and start excercising, but I sure could use some input. Help!