I am 10 years out from surgery. So many highs and lows, but was curious as to how others were doing with their continued weight loss or maintenance of this weight loss long after, what I call it the honeymoon phase.

Would love to hear from those of you over the 5 year mark....what are your challenges? What differences have you been coping with as opposed to when you started.

I have gained some weight back, actually a lot of weight back and I am coping with getting back on track. So far so good. I am just merely taking it one moment at a time and going back to the basics. Would love to hear from everyone else....

It is an unfortunate truth that 5-10 year veterans like yourself seem to be few and far between on the WLS forums. I personally would love to hear more about your experience and lessons you have learned at the different stages in your journey. How much weight did you lose? How long were you able to maintain it? What were the keys to your success? What are your thoughts on possible causes of starting to regain weight? What steps are you taking to reverse it? Do you find the challenges you are facing now similar or different to the ones that you faced early on in your weight loss journey?

There are a lot of compassionate and knowledgeable folks here at BP. You're in the right place!!

Edited August 5, 201412 yr by DLCoggin

It is an unfortunate truth that 5-10 veterans like yourself seem to be few and far between on the WLS forums. I personally would love to hear more about your experience and lessons you have learned at the different stages in your journey. How much weight did you lose? How long were you able to maintain it? What were the keys to your success? What are your thoughts on possible causes of starting to regain weight? What steps are you taking to reverse it? Do you find the challenges you are facing now similar or different to the ones that you faced early on in your weight loss journey?

There are a lot of compassionate and knowledgeable folks here at BP. You're in the right place!!

Sorry to steal this but I would also love to hear the answers to these questions.

I will try to answer all of your questions the best I can. I had my surgery - the RNY in May of 2004. At the time of my surgery I was just over 220 pounds. My lowest weight after surgery was 124, but truth be told, this only lasted like part of the day. My weight slowly settled at 135 and remained that way until around 2008. At this time, I began noticing a slight weight gain, in fact I remember gaining g to 138 and family members mentioning that it looked like I was gaining. I will say for the first two years or so after surgery I was very strict and cognizant of what I ate, how much I ate, was completely obsessed with the scale, and was working out at the gym like a crack head. My motivation was just very strong...this tended to dwindle as years progressed. I have noticed that I just got complacent...lazy with it all...probably because the success initially was so amazing. I never thought I would encounter issues. It was not until I noticed I was able to eat different foods, and start to tolerate some carbs that problems began...this should been an obvious red flag...but it wasn't. (So foolish on my part)

I cant say I got worried, probably because in my head my initial goal was just to be between 140-150 as I thought this was a great weight.

As time went on, I believe it was at a doctors appointment my weight was 141, some concern but not great concern. It wasn't until a year later in 2009 that I went to 150 and then immediately got my butt in gear and started running. Wouldn't you know it, I lost weight and was right back down to 140 in roughly a months time.

I believe since 2009 a lot of my accomplishments I began to take for granted. I got married after surgery, which initially prior to surgery I never thought I would meet a man who would love me enough. I moved up in rank, completed some tactical schools that most thought I would not be able to do...and some other personal goals were achieved along the way.

Ok so how did I get to where I am now...I simply just gave up. So I am going back to the very very basics...protein, Protein shakes...and working out...I am making sure I remain accountable and am tracking my efforts and I am avoiding nearly all carbs, no snacking and no sugar.....This site has been a great tool for me as well.

I'd really like to follow this thread too

*bump* I need to follow this thread too.

I will try to answer all of your questions the best I can. I had my surgery - the RNY in May of 2004. At the time of my surgery I was just over 220 pounds. My lowest weight after surgery was 124, but truth be told, this only lasted like part of the day. My weight slowly settled at 135 and remained that way until around 2008. At this time, I began noticing a slight weight gain, in fact I remember gaining g to 138 and family members mentioning that it looked like I was gaining. I will say for the first two years or so after surgery I was very strict and cognizant of what I ate, how much I ate, was completely obsessed with the scale, and was working out at the gym like a crack head. My motivation was just very strong...this tended to dwindle as years progressed. I have noticed that I just got complacent...lazy with it all...probably because the success initially was so amazing. I never thought I would encounter issues. It was not until I noticed I was able to eat different foods, and start to tolerate some carbs that problems began...this should been an obvious red flag...but it wasn't. (So foolish on my part)

I cant say I got worried, probably because in my head my initial goal was just to be between 140-150 as I thought this was a great weight.

As time went on, I believe it was at a doctors appointment my weight was 141, some concern but not great concern. It wasn't until a year later in 2009 that I went to 150 and then immediately got my butt in gear and started running. Wouldn't you know it, I lost weight and was right back down to 140 in roughly a months time.

I believe since 2009 a lot of my accomplishments I began to take for granted. I got married after surgery, which initially prior to surgery I never thought I would meet a man who would love me enough. I moved up in rank, completed some tactical schools that most thought I would not be able to do...and some other personal goals were achieved along the way.

Ok so how did I get to where I am now...I simply just gave up. So I am going back to the very very basics...protein, Protein shakes...and working out...I am making sure I remain accountable and am tracking my efforts and I am avoiding nearly all carbs, no snacking and no sugar.....This site has been a great tool for me as well.

I have a question. .. is it better to develop a healthy balance with food (including carbs) or to restrict? I have noticed vets who experience weigh re-gain were very obsessed in the beginning which doesn't seem like it can be maintained for eternity and never truly take the time to learn self control. I am new so I am trying to figure out which method is most effective in the long term.

Well for my experience, and keep in mind I am not a doctor or a nutritionist, I eventually just "allowed" myself to eat pretty much whatever I wanted. This did not happen over night, as I struggled with being able to keep food down in the beginning especially this first two years. What I know now, is that my new stomach obviously healed and was not bothered by certain carbs. So, it naturally began to tolerate food I missed.....ones I probably should have just said simply no to.

What I wanted to let everyone know...and hopefully help in some way, is that we must always be careful with our food intake. You may be having some great successes now, but be aware that your body will adjust to where it feels you need to be...and probably at a very normal weight at the end of the process. It is up to you to be diligent everyday, for the rest of your life to continue with this new found self.

As for carbs, I just recommend you only eat healthy carbs in restricted quantities. Be very aware of how much you eat and keep tabs on your weight regularly.

I am not seeking to scare anyone....so I hope no one finds this thread offensive. Wls is a great tool...but just like any tool, it will need to be adjusted over time and require regular maintenance.

I think for myself I just became soooo comfortable with my new look that I figured I no longer needed to do the things that got me there. The reason I started the thread was because I was noticing some newer surgery people making comments about not logging their food (which is a personal choice, I highly recommend everyone continues), I have read about great success (however this was very early on in the weight loss process). I just am seeking to remind everyone, and just advise anyone who wants to know what my struggles have been...ones in which you may encounter if you are not careful.

Again, I am not attempting to be offensive...just putting out my experiences. All questions are welcomed.....

Bottom line....weight loss surgery is a life long commitment. You only get out of it, what you put into it. Stay vigilant everyday! Your current success is only achieved by your continued, daily efforts......I just want each of you to stay healthy and happy!

......

I appreciate you sharing your story and wish you the best getting back on track! You've probably seen this, but in case not, many of the vets use the 5:2 method to maintain or lose final/regained pounds. Might be worth exploring.

Can you elaborate on this method? ^^^

I want to thank you for starting this thread. It is a reminder to stay vigilant. I am 18 months out and learning maintenance. Relatives whisper about me saying "when is she going to stop". They don't mean losing weight. They mean going to the gym and watching my intake. They don't understand that the answer to that is never. Exercise and mindful eating has to be a way of life or I won't keep the weight off. This is a chronic disease and the treatment is vigilance and there is no cure.

In answer to another question about how strict to be from the beginning regarding carbs, exercise, etc, I think that will be very dependent on the individual. Some people need to be vey strict. One bad bite will trigger cravings. Other people need a splurge once in a while or are in danger of having a "blow up"

For my part I decided that no food is off limits to me if I track it. I refuse to feel guilt. I have learned from tracking what my patterns are and what can trigger cravings or weight gain. Does that always keep me in line. Well no but it's a start. I also don't freak out if I don't get my four days a week in the gym. Life happens and I get there the next time I can. But I also do allow wimpy excuses like I used to.

Again thanks for starting this thread. I am only 18 months out but I am hoping in 5 years I will still be within 10-15 pounds of this weight. Ideally the same weight but I am practical. In any case it will take work.

CTRose I cannot tell you how valuable I believe your willingness to share your experiences with us is. Your candor and honesty are themselves an inspiration. You write like you talk and you feel what you write. That's a gift. I sincerely hope that you will share your journey with us often in the coming days, weeks and months. Just from reading what you have shared so far, I truly believe that there is not the slightest doubt that you will succeed in your Quest and I am looking forward to following your progress and sharing ideas with you along the way.

A very sincere "Thank you!" and welcome to the best weight loss surgery forum in the world. One that just got better with your membership!

I am 6 years out going on 7. I went into surgery weighing 301 lbs. A year and half later I was at 120. I have stayed between 120-125 for the past 5 years. My secret is that I let myself eat what I like, but I NEVER over do it. If I want to eat candy, I'll eat candy but I won't eat a TON of candy. I have mastered the self control. I do snack through the whole day. I don't eat 3 separate meals. I just graze slowly all day...like a cow. Haha. I do weigh myself every week consistently to make sure I'm still where I want to be. .... My sister also had the surgery done 5 years ago and has gained her weight back. I feel so terrible. However, she kept up a lot of bad habits like eating fast, eating more, and drinking with all her meals... That's one rule I have never broken, I never eat and drink together. .. I don't know if there really is a secret to keeping off the weight. I know we're all different and we've all had different experiences. Just stick to what you know works, protein first, eat slowly, keep track of what is going into your body, and keep yourself motivated.

I want to thank you for starting this thread. It is a reminder to stay vigilant. I am 18 months out and learning maintenance. Relatives whisper about me saying "when is she going to stop". They don't mean losing weight. They mean going to the gym and watching my intake. They don't understand that the answer to that is never. Exercise and mindful eating has to be a way of life or I won't keep the weight off. This is a chronic disease and the treatment is vigilance and there is no cure. <br><br> In answer to another question about how strict to be from the beginning regarding carbs, exercise, etc, I think that will be very dependent on the individual. Some people need to be vey strict. One bad bite will trigger cravings. Other people need a splurge once in a while or are in danger of having a "blow up" <br><br> For my part I decided that no food is off limits to me if I track it. I refuse to feel guilt. I have learned from tracking what my patterns are and what can trigger cravings or weight gain. Does that always keep me in line. Well no but it's a start. I also don't freak out if I don't get my four days a week in the gym. Life happens and I get there the next time I can. But I also do allow wimpy excuses like I used to. <br><br> Again thanks for starting this thread. I am only 18 months out but I am hoping in 5 years I will still be within 10-15 pounds of this weight. Ideally the same weight but I am practical. In any case it will take work.

Thanks for your response and information. If you continue as you are, you should have continued success. I ended up slipping up somewhere. Fortunately, I did not regain all of my weight back, however gaining 40 pounds is 40 pounds too many. So, I am back at it and working these pounds off. I know that this time it is going to take much more work...much like trying to improve your grades when you r in school...it takes more time to pull up your GPA then just simply maintaining it. So if work is what it will take, I am on board!

Thx again..

<p>CTRose I cannot tell you how valuable I believe your willingness to share your experiences with us is. Your candor and honesty are themselves an inspiration. You write like you talk and you feel what you write. That's a gift. I sincerely hope that you will share your journey with us often in the coming days, weeks and months. Just from reading what you have shared so far, I truly believe that there is not the slightest doubt that you will succeed in your Quest and I am looking forward to following your progress and sharing ideas with you along the way.</p> <p> </p> <p>A very sincere "Thank you!" and welcome to the best weight loss surgery forum in the world. One that just got better with your membership!</p>

Wow! You have truly touched my heart! Thank you so much for your message it meant more to me then you will know. I will of course keep everyone posted. I feel this site alone was one big step in a more positive direction. As I mentioned before, I have gained weight back, but fortunately it was only 40 pounds. Yes it is 40 pounds too many, but it is doable to lose this weight. I appreciate all the positive encouragement that I have received from this thread, it was a bit unexpected...but soooo appreciated!

Love this site!