Hi! 5 1/2 years so far & the good lord willing continuing successful!

Weighing in (pun intended) at 5 1/2 years post-op RNY- surprisingly to my pre-op self doing well- 130lbs lost (a few pounds under goal), and keeping it off! Damned, I never ever ever thought I could do it! Scared silly before surgery, severe buyer's remorse after surgery, scared silly again when I hit maintenance. But from my present perspective I would do surgery again in a heartbeat in spite of the daily grinding painful persistent work it takes to honor it. It was magic for the first 15 months then a major bummer but rewarding since. I'm disgustingly well behaved (only with regard to health and weight maintenance). I speed walk daily 2 1/2+ miles 7 days a week, no break (dreadmill only if blizzard or pouring rain), and for the most part behave myself with diet. I'm religious with vitamins and getting my blood work done every 6 months. The main reason I did surgery was my health- it was tanking before surgery. Now I have never been in better health at age 64. I have learned I get what I put into it and I have learned the benefits of self discipline and in addition I have gained immeasurable self confidence. Who woulda thunk!?! My pre-op self would never ever in a million (or at least 5 1/2 years) would have.

I certainly agree that we get back what we put in. I also think regular participation with fellow wls'ers is important, don't you?

But only if it's the right kind of support...of course. 

Yes, ma'am. The encouraging positive track record kind of support. A beer, in spite of the calories, sometimes, very rarely, helps.

Thank you for this update.

Pokemon, this means a lot coming from you. Your opinion has always mattered a lot to me.

Smiles and rainbows to you!!!  Appreciate your honesty. 

Thanks for your acknowledgement, Sharon! It's a damn hard battle, isn't it?

I am shifting my mindset from looking at it as a "constant battle" to a "delicate balance."  This honors the reality without giving additional emotion to the difficulty.

Congrats to you on 5 1/2 successful years :-)