2 Year post op

Thank you so much. 

Dasie,
You are absolutely gorgous and just as beautiful inside as out!

: )

Thank you for telling me that.  The innerward man really is what is most important.

WOW!  You give me hope for success in the long term!  You look fantastic!!  I totally love your hair cut and color and have been thinking of cutting mine off this spring because I am too darn cold up her in Michigan right now!

Keep up the great work and please share any tips for continued success that have worked for you,
Paula

Thanks Paula...it took me a long time to finally get the nerve to cut it.  My 3 daughters and husband did not want me to cut it.  But the older I got and the heavier I became no matter what I did with my hair nothing worked.  It was the weight.  Once I finally did it, I was so glad I did.  I have a 3 minute hair style, and that is what makes it so nice.

These are the things I learned from others on this site that I adopted - as well as what my surgeon told me.

My surgeon told me to absolute make the most of the first 6 months post op - that was really important.  That was when the weight loss was the easiest. Also,  I read a post from a 5 year post op veteran say the same thing.  She said lose as much as you can as fast as you can....of course in a healthy manner.  For me that meant giving up white "stuff" as those items, rice, bread, pasta, potatoes, crackers, sugar, etc... always caused me problems.  Even though I was allowed to eat them on my plan, I did not allow myself to eat them for one year knowing I would do better if I left them alone.  Even now my weight will bump up a few pounds pretty quickly when I add those back in on a regular basis.  I am dealing with the Holiday few pounds because I ate too much of those foods.

I have also found, and I don't know why, the longer I fore go drinking before I eat the less I can eat.  If I drink 30 minutes prior and then stop it is not the same.  I read that on this site too, and for whatever reason, it works for me.

I have also seen when I slack up on my water, my loss slows. 

It really was easier the first year.  I squandered my second year.  We had a death in the family and were out-of-town much of the year.  Though I stayed on plan I also got off a bunch.  I wish I had not done that because I hit my goal weight a couple times but never landed there permanently.  It may only be a few pounds, but I've come this far, and that goal is important to me. I think I could have easily reached it and stayed if I would not have allowed certain foods so often. 

I really feel the hard work is now just beginning for me.

You look fabulous! You are truly an inspiration. Thank you for sharing

Thank you Jennifer.

You're so beautiful and what an inspiration!  I am scheduled for surgery in February and super anxious about it - in good and bad ways!  I'm worried about so many things, but so ready at the same time.  I know you all understand this, but I just wanted to tell you that I truly appreciate everyone's posts and sharing!  They help me so much!  I'm a 35 year old mom with two young sons and I just know this will change all of our lives for the better!  Reading your post, and other's, I feel encouraged and excited, thank you so much for that!  P.S.  I pray I have has much success as you!  Congratulations!

 Happy 2nd year to you. I'm sure your doctor is very happy to have your after pic to send out!
I agree with that no squandering the first year. I didn't eat rice,pasta,bread,flour, or sugar that year. I think it really made a difference.
Congrats again!
Deb T.

Thanks Deb....I agree.  I had slow but consistent weight loss.  That changed during the beginning of year two, and I believe it is because I allowed those back into my diet too often.  I bounce up and down 5 pounds, 6 pounds once, and it comes off  once I eliminate the carbs, but it takes work.  Those are foods I know I can eat only on rare  special occasions.