Almost 3 years out - I need you all now more than ever!

Where's the like button?! Thanks Keith - good advice! I see you went to Verboonen too! He's a great guy! The downside to going out of the country is no support so I am thankful for OH.com and all the folks here otherwise I'd really be lost!

It has been the thing that molded me into what I am today. I like Dr. V but you are right I wish I had some support when I got back. OH saved me from myself. Get back on your program. If I were in your shoes, I might go all the way back to Dr. V's cruel and inhumane pre-op diet and go through all the phases over, just to remind myself why I never want to be that overweight ever again.

Cruel and inhumane...hahaha! Actually, three years ago he didn't seem to have too much of a pre-op plan because I was not told to do anything! In fact, the night before surgery Reyes told me to have a bowl of chicken avocado soup at the hotel! I guess they've changed the way they do things. I actually did my own pre-op diet - starting low-carb two months before surgery just so my body would not be totally shocked. I have talked to Dr. V recently to get some advice - the only thing he recommended was to come back to be re-sleeved or revised. I really don't want to do either so I am just trying to get back to basics (and reality!). I think I have been in denial that I could eat a certain way and still lose - but in the end it still comes down to calories! The last two days I've eaten less then 900 calories and already the scale is showing a 3 lb loss. I feel empowered by that and by the support I am getting here. I am going to friend you - I like your straight up/no nonsense advice! I might need you to reel me in from time to time - haha!

I can't imagine anyone criticizing you, after all, you are doing the courageous thing and moving forward.  That is what this place is all about.  Welcome back and I wish you success in getting back to your goals.  This is all about the journey, goal is only one spot on a long journey that never ends. 

Thanks Elina - I am grateful that you are still here. It's good to see "old friends" again! ;-)

Sue i couldn't agree more. I quit coming regularly last Fall, and the lack of support has been huge. I do well till about 3 ish each day then the sky falls in. I do not drive and am alone a lot. I am eating from lonliness now more than ever and need to beak this pattern NOW. I must come here daily again to keep this front and center. I wish you much success.

Thank you - I wish you success too! I eat from boredom and loneliness as well - coming here and being an active poster is definitely helping me stay out of the kitchen! It also slaps me back to reality. I cannot go back to my old ways or I will be back to where I was in no time and that is a place I refuse to go to!

Please send me a friend request!

Not sure you would remember me. I had my surgery 1/10/11, so not that long after yours. Thank you, thank you, thank you for starting this thread. Took guts!  I've maintained around 152-3 but honestly never stopped eating crap and have never started exercising.  Yup, acting like a toddler. Just got smacked with a little uptick. Feel awful shame, BUT am now going to take 10 mins at a time -- can't handle much more right now!

let's amaze ourselves!  (((((((hugs)))))))

YES! I remember you too!!! And yes, I've acted like a toddler as well - but now that I've gained so much back I feel like I've been slapped into reality so no more - I am not going back to where I was. That is not an option. I like your 10 minutes at a time - I've always been a "baby steps" type of person so that is where I will start. I am going to turn on the stereo and dance my butt off (hopefully literally!) today - at least that will be more fun than other options! Hugs to you too and thanks for responding in my time of need! ;-)