Who has kept it off????

My RNY surgery was 2/18/09, so I'm coming up on my 1 year anniversary. I've gone from 331lbs to 192 lbs, and from a size 28/20 to a size 12.  I get tired of hearing about how many people gain their weight back. My goal is 170-180, so I'm almost there, but people already bring up to me who has had the surgery and how much they've gained back. I know this happens. But I also know that there are people out there who lose and keep it off. That's who I want to hear from!!!  Give me some positives!! I met a woman at our support group who lost 150 lbs her 1st year, and 5 years later has still maintained. I know it can be done! I know there will be challenges!  But I want to hear from those of you who have done it. Give the rest of us some role models, some real success stories. Come on...INSPIRE ME!!!!

I'm 4 years out from my DS and still maintaining

I'm a little over 5 years out and was a half pound under my goal weight this morning.

YES!!  Thank you!!!  This is what I need to hear!! And I'm sure I'm not the only one who needs to hear these successes!!!!

I had the VSG 18 months ago and couldn't have given myself a better gift.  I have lost 80 pounds thus far and still losing slowly.  Of course we can keep it off for the rest of our life.  The choice to do so is within each of us and it's all a matter of the choices we make each day.  I see my self as a recovering addict.  Because I was literally addicted to food.  The choices I make every day for the rest of my life, one day at a time....will dictate whether or not I keep the weight off or go back to my old eating habits that will spiral me back to being over weight and in poor health.  I choose every day to never go back down that road again.  I want my health more than I want the taste of the unhealthy food in my mouth.  I love my new figure more than I love candy or potatoe chips, etc....I never ate that much at meal times but I was a junk food junky.  Success is within each of us.  Make it a daily goal.  If I have a craving for something...I may eat a very small amount and then I am done....that satisfies me.  For once in my life after many years of poor eating habits, FOOD NO LONGER CONTROLS ME.....I eat to live rather than live to eat!!!  I too know poeple who had the RNY and gained back all their weight but, I also know those who haven't.  It's not the surgery, it's the individual choices.....You are gonna do just great and so am I!!!!!  Make your goal each day to be successful in your food choices for that day.....One day at a time!!!!!  You go girl!!!!

Thank you! I smiled thru tears reading your post!  It rings true. Bless you for sharing with me.

You are so very welcome.  You know, another thing I have found true is that I come to OH every day and it helps keep me focused and encouraged.  In trying to encourage others, it also encourages me.  I believe that's the way the Good Lord intended it to be in life.  We reap what we sow....what we give away to others, we will receive back into our lives so when I am feeling a little down or discouraged or just having a difficult day, I come here to my OH family and I find a question posted where someone who is just starting out or having a bad day needs an encouraging word and I write to them.  And when I do, I leave the website feeling inspired and encouraged my own self.  I thank god for all of you here at OH.  And I will never become so successful that I don't need all of you each day.  It's like my morning devotion, every day. And it works.....I'm not saying it's my religion because of course I still turn to God daily but I do make this website and all the lovely people on here a daily habit that is a good habit for sure!!!!!  God Bless...you are such a Sweetheart!!!  Congratulations on your weight loss. You should be proud of yourself.  Jodi

 I'm a few weeks shy of three years.......and solidly at my best weight.   If you read profiles... you will see a few themes associated with substantial regain.......stressfull life events derailing good behaviors tops the list....well...I buried two family members, left my marriage....lost a job I loved.......and I did not let it derail me.   You have to take things as they come......and stay focused.   One of the things that has helped me do that is being on OH every day.........it keeps me midfull.   You will see lots of 'regained' posts and they often have blank profiles.....no blog.....no pictures....no friends.......so they have not availed themselves of the mutual support OH offers.I've met lots of people seeking revisions who have never stepped foot into a gym.......and/or have not dealt with why they ate themselves to MO......I've been in therapy......I'm in the gym daily......I'm on OH daily.....I take it one day at a time.........Susan

Amen Sister!!!  Once we have had a weight loss surgery it's totally up to us...it's the warrior within us...how bad do you want something to be?????   It's simply about choices we make on a day-by-day basis.  Just like anything else in our lives. 

Well I am not THAT far out about 15 months, but I hit my goal at 7 months out and have been maintaining for the past 8 months. I do not journal as much but I do exercise almost daily. I do count calories and protein in my head as the day goes on though. I too have that fear of regain, especially since I can tolerate all foods, I do not dump at all. So I just try to remember how good thin feels and keep exercise a part of my daily life. Good luck, your doing awesome;)

Julie H