It's been a long time since I needed WLS support. I've needed all sorts of OTHER support in the last nearly two years, but this hasn't been the place for me.

How's everyone been?

I miss some voices here, I won't lie. After five years and after my last year and a half of tumultuous "real world" struggles the weight loss thing seems like easy stuff compared, which probably won't sit well with some people. But remember, the weight is a symptom of the head crap and I've been working on the head crap, right? So the more you work on you the less likely you are to struggle with the weight (IMO, anyway, for what that's worth) so it all kind of falls in line after a while.

Last time I was here I'd had my youngest daughter and was struggling to lose weight, my dad had just passed away and we'd gotten surprise custody of two teenage stepdaughters while one of my stepdaughters was missing out on a drug bender, I think. Life is INSANITY over here in my lane.

In the past while life has adjusted into something else much more do-able and peaceful for sure.

But here were care about the weight, right?

I'm doing well. Definitely a success. No plastic surgery - still just don't have the time or money put back for that. But still okay. I have far exceeded what I ever thought my sleeve would do for me. I will not lie - this surgery works no matter what - if I go back to doing what I'm supposed to do it never fails me. It's ME that does the wrong things, it's ME that doesn't work the things I need to do. It's my head that doesn't get in the game, my emotions that get out of whack, my spirit that gets me down, my life that spirals out of control, my habits that take over my life, my laziness that keeps me from being physical, my lack of motivation that keeps me from wanting to change my focus or meditate or read something that will help me progress - it's ME. It's not this sleeve. It's what I do to my body and my mind and how I choose to live each day that makes the difference. This was never about my weight, it was about the whole picture. I was a completely unhealthy lump of sadness and depression and misery seven years ago, no lie.

I lost so much more than weight, and it's so much more than being skinny that's freeing, that's for darn sure.

I'm currently between 124 and 128 pounds (I'm 5'1" tall) but I didn't even know that until I went to the doctor a week ago. Because I put the scale away. Screw that scale. I don't need it. Because my pants fit. And if they get a little snug and it's not my cycle, I already know that I need to adjust something. More Water, less sodium, more exercise, less junk - I'm in tune with my body and what I'm doing every day. I refuse to be in denial about my lifestyle and my body any more. I am not passively living in this body. I am present. I am here. Because this is a GIFT. I gave myself a second chance and I'll be damned if I'm wasting it. It's not about vanity or skinny jeans or a tight stomach. It's about living my life to the fullest and feeling like I want to feel. I eat what I want and enjoy every bit of it, but I will not allow that indulgence slide out of control.

I'm in XS, S - size 4 - size FOUR, sometimes TWO. It's insanity. I can share clothes with my teenagers. I turn 35 next week. I feel young and vibrant and peaceful and happy and it's more than my size it's my everything. I've put so much away that there just no reason to hide in food and anger and sadness anymore.

Life is good.

How are the rest of you? How is life treating you on your amazing, wonderful paths? Ups, downs, twists, turns, all of it - I don't regret a minute. I really don't. I've learned so much and I've had so much joy. It's a beautiful day.

~Cheri

Edited November 13, 201510 yr by clk

I am so glad to see this post. I will be three years out in March. I am a "success" i suppose since I got to. 26 BMI from 44 but I took off some time from the gym because I felt in a rut and I also got my varicose veins done.

I am up 25 pounds and back to 29 BMI and decided to come back on to get some inspiration. it's nice to see some veterans around and to see I am not alone in the fact we are never truly ever done.

Erp (that feels weird typing. ????) yes, Mostly. It's seeming to wind up that way since I'm doing really low cal most of the time. Didn't really plan to call it 5:2 but it did wind up two days under 500 last week and today I'm at 411 and intend to end it around 475 or so.

Thanks! Glad to be connected again. ????????????????

Well I'm an oldie who is coming back after 2 1/2 years because although I lost over 100 pounds, I have gained back about 25. I can eat anything and I have a huge capacity in my stomach now. It is really sad. I kept the weight off for two years, but now I am not able to control my eating anymore. I came back to see if some of you were still here and maybe find some inspiration.

To lwagner:

I'd say the original poster is some serious inspiration!

To OP:

you have just lit me up!

I'm in awe of your post! It is a huge booster! Not that I'm in a rut or anything, it was just super pumping to read!

I even saved some parts of what you said so I can go back and get re-revved up LOL

The part about it's not about being skinny, it's about being free.

That got me.

And about being at peace.

That also got me.

Thank you.

I hope you stay and keep us newbies, not-so-newbies, maintence(ies) and veteran(ies) in check and motivated.

Never lose your beautiful mindset on your new(ish) life.

Heather

I'm back after being away for more than a year. I missed the whole vets group is gone mess because apparently it was removed and returned while I was gone. Glad I missed that flap!

My weight has continued to creep (have gone from 10 pds over goal to 20 pds over goal) and I have decided that is it. My focus is to return here and rededicate myself to goal weight.

Oh, and I joined Weight Watchers. For the first time ever, I think I can get to lifetime goal with them. If so, it's free as long as I'm in weight range. So excited about that!

Because I'm terrified to go back. If I gain 10 lbs per year, in ten years.....

Love to see familiar faces here.

Lynda

Glad you are back. Maybe the "what did you eat today" thread can be revived. Would like to hear how Weight Watchers goes.

I'm really glad you're back too! I missed your posts!

I hope you use a computer and not a phone to post. People are having trouble with the app. It's so much easier on a PC or laptop to see all the forums.

There are several threads about all of us working on regain. One is weight gained since sleeved. I'm working on taking 10 lbs off again but it is really hard.

I hope to see you posting every day!

@@lsereno good to see you back! I wondered where you went:)

Don't feel too bad about the gain - I'm also up nearly 10 pounds, and it feels very stuck on! I'm with you - not planning to gain any more, and working hard to get this off, but it won't budge. I am also thinking about weight watchers. How do you like it?

I hope WW works for you - I think they are a very good program, but I just.can't.do.it.again...

Right now, I am at 157. A few weeks ago I was down to like 153 - I am am bloated due to the kidney stone. Having the procedure tomorrow and I am sure they will pump me up with an IV and my weight will jump AGAIN. I just hope that after this, I feel more normal and get back down to my comfort zone which is more like upper 140s/low 150s range. I know a few pounds aren't that important, but it impacts how clothes fit and it is just the size I have chosen.

What my end goal for this year is to maintain THAT weight range AND build back my muscles. That will make me look more compact.

Frankly, i am pretty okay with where I am at, but I like to have goals! I met a gentleman who decided to give himself a present for his 60th which was a certain bodyfat percentage. I liked his mindset - I am not doing this for anyone else, but for me and so I have set some fitness goals for myself. I am not devastated at being a bit heavier than my all time low, but I do want to be fitter and I know it is within reach.

It is my other health issues that have interferred and I am just trying to avoid using them as an excuse for gaining....

I guess most of us realize that as time goes on, it becomes less and less about the WLS....

Get well soon, Jane.

Great to see everyone! I wish you a speedy recovery jane!

I've been gaining and losing the same 10 lbs over and over again. I do feel like my cockiness has gotten me in trouble being too overconfident. Old habits are creeping back however I just can't do as much damage this time around and for that I am grateful. I don't feel that is a permanent situation though.

Id love to hear what your favorite way to take off regain is?

Once my health is back, I will buckle down, back to basics...I lose any regain by being more mindful....and tolerating hunger more too.

I had the treatments for the stone and I am pretty uncomfortable as I have a stent. This should be gone next week and I return to working out.

Sent from my KFJWI using the BariatricPal App

Great to see everyone! I wish you a speedy recovery jane!

I've been gaining and losing the same 10 lbs over and over again. I do feel like my cockiness has gotten me in trouble being too overconfident. Old habits are creeping back however I just can't do as much damage this time around and for that I am grateful. I don't feel that is a permanent situation though.

Id love to hear what your favorite way to take off regain is?

This is so me. I gain and lose the same 5-10 pounds every month.

Glad you are back. Maybe the "what did you eat today" thread can be revived. Would like to hear how Weight Watchers goes.

I'd like to have a what did you eat thread in our vets group. Busy till next Wednesday, but will start one then if someone doesn't beat me to it.

So far so good with Weight Watchers. They have changed their plan to be more protein-centric, so it's a better fit for post-WLS.

I'm really glad you're back too! I missed your posts!

I hope you use a computer and not a phone to post. People are having trouble with the app. It's so much easier on a PC or laptop to see all the forums.

There are several threads about all of us working on regain. One is weight gained since sleeved. I'm working on taking 10 lbs off again but it is really hard.

I hope to see you posting every day!

Thank you! I probably won't be posting every day for a little while because the app isn't working well on my ipad and I'm super busy with volunteer work for the next few weeks. Maybe we can have a weight loss challenge here in the vets forum. I don't want to participate in one with newly sleeved who are bummed they are only losing 5 lbs per week!