Best wishes Lee.

I'm sorry Susan, big hugs.  Sending up prayers for a full recovery. 

How far out are you?  I reached a normal BMI at 9 months post-op and continued to lose an additional 11 lbs up to my 1 year anniversary.  Stayed there for several months (119 lbs) then settled in between 123-125 for several years.  I did have a slight regain above my goal weight (130 lbs) in year 3 with lots of life changes going on (layoff, moving, selling and buying a new house, starting a new job) but was able to successfully lose that fairly quickly.

At 6 years out I went through a divorce and lost too much weight (down to 106 lbs and looked sickly).  Now at 8 years out I have a goal range of 121-124 lbs.....when I hit that max I change things up.  It's been fairly easy for me to maintain during this entire time or lose quickly when I want to.  For me, having a BMI above normal is not an option.  I paid lots of money as a self-pay to have surgery and another huge chunk of change to have plastics.  I'll fight to the death not to regain, again it's NOT an option for ME.

Do I judge others that didn't reach a normal BMI, hell no.  We are all individual with many factors playing into where we land.  Some of us "just do" and some "just don't"; however, we are ALL successful in this journey that is forever.  When we aren't successful (or don't remain successful) is when we throw in the towel and quit.  I hope and pray everyone continues to fight and win. 

So to answer your question, it's possible you will continue to lose and/or you may have to fight to lose more.  The idea is to never allow yourself to be complacent and think the weight loss is gone forever.  It's not.....you can read the boards almost daily and see someone that has regained and is fearful.  That fear I can imagine is crippling internally. 

I wish you continued success.  I also do not find your post offensive nor do I think you wanted to offend anyone with the tread.  Please don't worry about others negative feelings or thoughts.....it's something they need to work on and deal with IF they took offense to the thread.

Congrats on your success!

I'll inject here also.  I've had times I felt deflated or that I couldn't share in a post or experience because of losing below the BMI weight and at one point I had lost too much for what looked good on me and sickly (even though it was within the BMI range).  At that point, I was scared (which I do get why those that lose a lot feel and can sympathize) because I'd "heard" things in post and yes I know that written words may be taken wrong.

I personally believe you did that with OPs words, you took them out of the context she intended.

People leave the board because "they" have a problem with themselves....until they accept who they are and what they've accomplished they can and probably will find someone else to fault.  I can't stand the victim mentality ALWAYS blaming someone else.

We've all had our share of struggles in life, that's life.  We have to deal with them both internally and external factors need to be dealt with too.

I do concur with the comment "people who end up smaller were more committed" that's not true.  So many factors play into where one ends up and there is no 8 ball that will give us the answer.  All each of us can do is do our best and deal with the hand given.

Good luck with the bone scan, definitely demand they do one.  How far back can you get copies of labs?  See what you can get (hopefully they have your D and such before surgery with pre-op labs) along with every one you had post-op.

You are young but it happens to young people too.  I have a cousin that had a complete hysterectomy at 30 and has had osteoporosis since 36. 

Options have improved tremendously in the last few years on how to stop bone loss and possibly improve bone density with meds.

I remember trying a hot dog wiener it was disgusting. I had a bite of one grilled a couple of weeks ago, still think they are nasty.



I tend to go for chicken or steak if we are BBQing or grilling every time.

Are you hydrating properly? I can tell when I am not drinking enough my lips get chapped.

My surgeon is of the same opinion. I followed his rules early out now I do what works best for me. Some days ill do snacks others I don't.

Yes occasionally I will. I waited almost a year before I had anything to drink. Beware it may affect you very quickly. My recommendation is wait until you are at goal or close, drink at home first to see how you do with it.

I'm sure you have come across cross addiction in your research. Alcohol seems to be the biggest cross addiction. I know several people in real life the transferred food issues to alcohol and pain pill addiction. It is not pretty to see someone you love to face this.

Good for you for being persistent. They wouldn't even be checking your protein levels, RBC, hemecrit and hemoglobin. Add in the other Bs, D.

There are a couple I've had to push for but mostly I have a great PCP and he understands why I want so many.

Holy mackerel Laura. The most I've had was 17 one time (checking other stuff too). My mom laughs and says I have anemia problems because they take all my blood lol.

I agree with the others.  Your labs will dictate what you need.  This is what I take:

 

Multi 2 x day

Vit D 1 per day

Vit A 2-3 times per week

B-12 sublingal daily

B-complex 2 x day

B-6 1 time a day (last labs I was deficient)

Calcium 4 x day

Niacin - 1 a day (helps with cholesterol - mine runs a little high)

Iron 2 x day (when I remember, I'm horrible with iron)  I rather get the infusions then fight iron