Need to hear positives.. large amount lost but still more to go.. and a year post-op

I was a lightweight who lost 147lbs in total... it took me 18 months to reach my goal weight... very slow and steady. The first year you typically lose the most the quickest, the weightloss doesnt stop but you may notice it slow down... you can always lose weight even years out. I have a friend that was almost 400lbs at surgery... she took about 4 years to lose all the weight (she struggled w/some post-op issues with drinking/drugs) , she got down pretty small... then had plastic surgery... she now weighs in the lower 130s.

This is one of my biggest pet peeves - the magical 1 to 1 1/2 year window.  While it's true that you absorb more the longer out from surgery you are, the weight loss doesn't magically stop when you hit a certain date.  The rapid weight loss slows down ALOT, and you have to start to work harder for it - but it's absolutely acheivable.  It only stops if you allow it to.  You can work past it.

How do those who have never had WLS lose weight?  They use hard work through diet and exercise.  Same concept here.  Just keep doing what you know is right, refrain from making bad choices and you will get there in time.  If you have a realistic goal in mind (and by realistic I just mean keeping your height and body frame in mind) then there's no reason you should not be able to reach it.  Your tool can only take you so far by itself.  Eventually you have to help it along to keep it moving.