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Hi everyone,
Well, today is my five year anniversary of wls - gastric bypass and life has never been better.  I'm maintaining my weight loss, exercising 5x a week, and going strong!  I'm not saying, it's been effortless or easy; maintaining the weight loss takes constant diligence, thought, and decision making.  But, it has definitely been worth it.

I have regained abou 15 lbs from my very low weight of 140 but that was to be expected.  Your body "calibrates" itself to a comfortable weight for YOU and then that is the weight you maintain.  So, even though I rushed out and bought a ton of new clothes in sizes 4 and 6 (mistake!), I'm still so pleased that I now wear a size 10 and that suits me just fine.  I'm going to be 59 years old so to be this healthy and "fit" is a blessing. 

All the concerns of being overweight - lethargy, aches and pains, seatbelt issues on planes,  not being comfortable in a booth at a restaurant, not knowing if a bracelet or necklace will fit me - all those worries are long gone.

My family and friends are proud of me - my 20 year old son is living in Florida and going to school (I'm from Northern VA), my daughter is in Berlin, Germany having completed an internship on a political magazine and is now teaching English there.  She met a wonderful young man and they are very happy there.  I miss her though..  hopefully they will return to the States when Marcus finishes his studies in engineering.  They are all so a happy for me. My husband, an OB-GYN, is so thrilled for my success and good health. 

So, on this anniversary date, I wish everyone who reads this success in whatever you decide to do - just realize that this is an ongoing  journey.. a lifetime really.... but such a good one!
Take care.
Linda

Hi everyone,

Well, I'm almost 4 years post op now and keeping the weight off!!!  I am still amazed at how much this surgery has transformed my life.  Maintaining the weight loss is not easy but I have committed myself to exercising 5x a week and I strongly believe that is the reason I have not regained.  Exercising allows me the occasional indulgence without guilt.  As much as I don't love exercise, I know it is essential to my health and well being so I plow ahead and do it even when I really, really don't want to.  I just think about how happy I am right now and how fearful I am of gaining. 

The thing about this this surgery is that at first you lose a lot, get to your lowest point and then your body kind of calibrates itself and finds a comfortable and healthy weight to be.  I lost about 150 lbs - went out and bought all new clothes in sizes 4 and 6.  I knew that if I even gained 5 lbs those clothes would not fit but I was so happy to be there.  Well, I did gain about 8 lbs and now wear a size 8 and sometimes a 10 depending on the manufacturer and style of the garment.  This is absolutely fine with me; this is where I feel and look good.  But, I advise waiting to see where you end up before running out and purchasing new clothes.  I know if I lost those 8 lbs all those clothes would fit again, but I'm not in any hurry and feel so good now.

Life is very sweet.  My daughter graduated from college and is presently in Berlin, Germany doing an internship on an international political magazine.  She's having a ball and loving it.  My son, 19 years old, is in Florida working; he struggled for a while and made some poor choices but is now regaining his footing and hopefully is on the right path.  He is a great person with a lot of potential so we are hopeful.
Here's the link to my daughter's Youtube video; she is singing and playing the guitar.. and is beautiful.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9azaXoNHhOQ

Hope everyone is doing well on their journey.
Linda

Wow, it's been almost 6 months since I wrote any update.  So far, things are good.  I'm maintaining my weight loss, continuing to exercise regularly  (6x a week) and watch what I eat.  I can definitely eat more so I have to be careful.  But, I do find that I still get full easily and if I overeat just a bit, I feel sick for a while. 

Lots of happy things going on; my daughter will be graduating from Skidmore College in May and then she's off to Middlebury College in Vermont for a 7 week summer language immersion program in German.  After that, who knows?  Maybe grad school or travel.  I know whatever she does, she'll do it well and with energy and enthusiasm.  My son has had some difficulties.  He was at the Univ of Hartford but will not be returning for his sophomore year.  Just not ready for college; needs to "find himself".  It's disappointing but not unusual so we're trying to just hang in there.

I also have 4 weddings between April and July so we'll be busy.  Also, going on a cruise (just hubby and I) at the end of March.... very excited about that.

So, basically enjoying life.  Even after 3 years I can't believe how I look - is this really me? 
Take care everyone.
Linda

Hi everyone,
Well, the summer is almost over and for the first time in a long time I won't be returning to my school as a teacher.  Retirement is beginning and I'm looking to do new and exciting things.  I'll be doing some subbing and tutoring and volunteering.  I like the flexibility and not having to commute!  I had a wonderful summer - went to the beach and just relaxed.  My son will be leaving for college on Monday and my daughter is beginning her senior year at college.  Time flies by! 

I am almost 3 years post op (end of November) and still doing well - exercising 6 days a week, eating healthily and being careful.  It does get more difficult because you can eat more so you have to be really cognizant of what you are doing.  But, I am determined to make this a life long experience and refuse to gain that weight back!  My life is way too wonderful now.  People still don't recognize me and I am so enjoying this new lifestyle.  I constantly try to remember how hard it was when I was so overweight and how everything is easier now. 

Good luck to everyone on this journey.  Talk to you soon.
Linda

Hello again, 
Wow the months just fly by.  It's already July and I'm enjoying the summer days.  I just retired after 35 years of teaching and feeling happy about my new life.  I'll continue to work in education; subbing and tutoring.  So, I have my routine; wake up a little later than I used to and do my daily exercise.  Being home more I have to be careful not to eat more so I make sure I go out and keep busy.  I never want to gain this weight back, so I'm careful and conscientious about what I eat and continue to make exercise a part of my life.
Hope everyone has a wonderful summer.
Linda

Hi everyone!
Well, it's 2 years and 4 months post op now and things are going great.  I'm so happy and everyday is so amazing now that I have transformed myself.  We're going on a cruise on Friday and I'm so excited; got all my pretty clothes together- bringing shorts (never thought I'd wear shorts!), some new bathing suits and looking forward to a wonderful time.  Got my haircut into a new style and loving it.  
I'll be sure to eat right and exercise while I'm on the cruise.   
Take care everyone.
Linda

Well, I'm past the 2 year mark by a few months and still going strong!  I am fully dedicated to this lifestyle now and just refuse to gain any weight back... EVER!!  I know it won't be easy but hopefully my committment and my perseverance will keep me on the right track.  I'm still eating well and exercising regularly and will never stop that - even when I'm dead tired and don't want to do it!  Hopefully, that will allow me to maintain my goal weight.  I've lost 145 lbs- wear a size 6 (sometimes even a 4!!) and am enormously happy.  Life is really, really grand!
Thanks everyone for your encouragment, kind words and support.
Linda

It's hard to believe but today is my 2 year anniversary of gastric bypass surgery.  I am a different person!!  I started this journey at 286 lbs and now weigh 140 lbs!  I wore a size 24-26 and now wear a size 6- sometimes even a 4.  It has been amazing and life changing.  This was the best decision of my life and has transformed my way of life.  I am healthy, fit, energized and looking good!  I exercise everyday - not because I love it but because it is essential for keeping this weight off and I'm terrified of gaining anything back.  I have toned arms and I'm so proud of how they look.  I never had real muscles before.  

Everything in my life is easier; big things and little things.  Fortunately, I never had any co morbidities but I did have joint pain, lethargy, and was unable to walk comfortably long distances.  Now, I can walk anywhere, anytime, and for a long time.  I run up stairs and am never out of breath.  I just visited my daughter in England and I was always in the front of the pack, urging everyone along.  Putting on a bracelet, a necklace, sitting in a chair, crossing my legs - not issues anymore.  Sitting comfortably in a plane, not worrying about seat belts, sitting at restaurant tables - not an issue anymore.  Enjoying taking pictures of myself and not worrying about how "fat" I"ll look in them.  Instead, seeing how small I look.

And buying clothes!!  OMG!!  The joy!  This has been the hardest part ot "wrap my brain around".  Walking into any store and being told by the salesperson that the small sizes are over there because that's where I belong.  It's the strangest feeling - sometimes I'm kind of "frozen" in place- not believing that I truly am so petite, so small.  It's been wonderful. Looking good in the clothes that I wear; being told how beautiful I am and even what a great figure I have now.  Imagine!!  New people I meet who can't believe I was ever heavy - "Impossible", they say.

So many things - all of them wonderful.  I am so happy I made this decision two years ago and I will work everyday to keep myself like this.  It has become my way of life; it's not a hardship at all.  
Thank you to everyone for their encouragement and support.
Linda

Well, it's been a couple of months since I've last posted anything.  I'm finally at my goal weight and feeling really wonderful.  I exercise religiously - 7 days a week!!  Just have made it part of my life.. don't love it.. never will.. but do it ... mostly out of fear!!  I'm terrified of gaining any weight back.  I've become pretty toned and have added a lot of muscle.  My arms are really in good shape.  I don't weigh myself everyday like I used to  - mostly because there are always fluctuations of a couple of pounds and I don't want to be discouraged.  I weigh myself about once a week and that's fine.  Since, I've added so much muscle and muscle weighs more than fat, sometimes I think the up and down on the scale is because of that.  But, I'm in smaller sizes now - actually bought a size 4 pants!   Unbelievable!!  But, mostly I'm in a 6 now.  Still hard to believe.  I just feel so healthy and energized.  I've never felt this way.  We're going to England over Thanksgiving to see my daughter who is studying there for the semester and this is the first time I don't have to worry about the seat belt on the airplane.  Whew.. what a relief!!  It's amazing what weight loss such as this does to your life - everything changes and for the better!  Well, that's about it for now.  Take care everyone and thanks for the encouragement and support.
Linda

Well, it's been almost 22 months since my surgery and I'm down 145 lbs!  Pretty much at goal weight; although I wouldn't mind losing another 5 lbs just to have a little buffer.  I'm so happy and life is grand.  Just went to a wedding and saw relatives I hadn't seen for a long time.  Some didn't recognize me and everyone was so thrilled and complimentary.  It was great.  I'm so committed to this and terrified of gaining any weight back so I continue to exercise religiously - 2x a day, everyday.  I'll never love it but know it's essential to keeping this weight off.  I still measure my protein and watch what I eat.  I never want to go back!!  I'm just enjoying this new lifestyle so much- buying sizes I never dreamed possible- just being a petite person.
I'll keep you updated.  Thanks everyone for everything.