This from a post on the message board on May 30, 2006.
I was so fortunate that on a follow up at the doctor's office, I overheard two women that were two years out. I asked them how much weight had they gained back and they both said about ten pounds. I have told this story to many and what this did for me was give me the permission not to fail again as I had for so many years. No diet ever took off 120 pounds in a year before and I was sure that I would not mess it up this time. If I was told that I could maintain my weight for this long I would have called you a liar. It's not really easy but I don't find it nearly as hard as all the stuff I went through before losing and regaining and doing it over and over again. My personal secret is this....and there are many that do not believe in this but it's worked for me. I weigh every morning. That way I know if I am past a magic number and that way I can attack it that day or the next or even the next day. I can get very disturbed over 5 or 10 pounds but I always turn it around because I keep telling myself that nothing tastes as good as skinny feels. I do yoga for exercise and also have taken up golf and going to the driving range is excellent and is something I like. I knew this was my last chance and I was very serious. I just wanted just a tiny chance....to be normal. I never ever expected to be rewarded with what I received. I am a very grateful woman. Know that you can do it. Visualize yourself getting there. See yourself in the kind of clothes you want to be in. Make up your mind that this is your chance and take it. YOU CAN DO IT!!! I failed at every diet I ever tried. I have done them all and I made it.

Special big hugs, Y

P.S. I also do not and will not try to eat sugar. I do not need one bite of cake or pie. I just assume that large amounts of sugar will make me deathly ill so I don't start it. If you have to have something sweet, eat something sugar free. They have tons of stuff out there that tastes great. (Again, this is what has worked for me)

Just got back from going to Visalia, California to see how the other half does WLS. I wondered about this in July but am pretty sure I have noticed a change in WLS thinking. It seems lately that we are "accepting" getting close to goal. I do not wish to be misunderstood but I really believe that the pre-ops need to know that goal is not a dirty 4 letter word. If I hadn't been given the permission not to fail, I wouldn't have done so well. I believe I need to get on the band wagon on the main board even though it is certainly overwhelming. I'll be reporting back here with good news I hope.