5 years + since surgery

I am nearly there for my surgery - I am desperate to hear from anyone way along the road. Is your weight stable? Are you still happy you have had the surgery? Do ever crave a huge burger and chips or something? What complications have you had? Highs and lows? Thanks

Hi there notice you are from the UK - I am too.  Where are you having your surgery done? I had mine almost two years ago, so not to far ahead of you.  Yes, I crave food that I shouldn't be eating, and unfortunately I CAN eat anything I choose to.  Some people still dump and cannot eat what what shouldn't be eating. You are doing the right thing by researching - as you will read, wls is only a tool and is not a magic solve all solution.  It is wonderful and I wouldn't change having it, BUT you have to know how to work it and use the tool to the best advantage.   Follow the rules as best you can for as long as you can - don't push your limits, and steer clear of what you know you shouldn't be eating.  You may well (probably will) expeience head hunger early on.  This is where you have to re-train your brain and habits to only eat when you should be eating, not when you are in teh habit of eating pre wls. You are going to do fantastic. I am SOOOOO glad I had wls, and know that I could nto have lost 100lbs (7 stone) without it.  I still have 1 stone to go til I'm a normal bmi, and for my dream weight I have 2 1/2 stone to go (I'd LOVE to get to 9 1/2 stone, but dont' think it's very realistic!!). Feel free to pm me if you want to chat more...

Thanks for post. St Anthonys Cheam - Dr Finnes is doing the surgery. I just don;t want to end up depressed because in a couple of years i put the weight back on, but then also have disadvantages because of the surgery. I know that I have to deal with food issues and am not sure if I will be able to. I guess I am trying to suss out if I will fail this like I have failed every diet!

The one thing I would do over if I could, would to not have allowed the sugar monster back into my life at 18 months.   As for am I glad I had surgery at almost 4 years out, I can't say that I am.  Yes, I've lost 100 pounds.  However, I'm one of the unlucky ones who has developed nesidioblastosis (beta cells in pancreas secrete way too much insulin) and have had 60% of my pancreas removed to help control the low blood sugars.  I've never gone overboard with sugar.  Yes, I would sneak a little now and then but for the most part, I've eating exactly like I am supposed to.  I also developed iron deficiency anemia and now have to have iron infusions.  I worry about what else I don't absorb, like the other vitamins.  I take my supplements religously.  And yet, I still have issues. So my sage words of advice would be:  Don't allow sugar back into your life, EVER! Always take your supplements even if you don't think you need them, because you do! Follow the rules.  It's a life long committment.  I know one poster said he eats burgers and chips all the time.  That's not the norm.  He's been lucky so far as to not gaining wt.  The surgeon can fix your tummy, but it's up to you to fix your head.   Good luck!

I am over 5 years out and maintaining with little issue.  I weigh myself daily and never let my gain get above 5 lbs.  If that happens I take immediate action.  I eat what I want for the most part.  I stay away from junk most of the time but if I have it I  make allowances for it.  If you're gonna eat say an extra 500 calories in a day they have to be burned off.   I do eat sugar, but mostly I (abuse) it during Easter as I have a Cadbury egg fetish.  After that I have a sugar monkey on my back but I remove it through a 5 day pouch test sort of deal.   I also excercise every single solitary day.  That I think is what keeps me in line.  Dilligence, dilligence and more dilligence.  The tool helped me lose it, I gotta keep it off.  Good luck, Tracu 303/131

My weight is stable.....i'm just over 2 years out ...lost 100 percent of my excess weight, and I eat chips, burgers, whatever....I love the surgery I had, it was a good choice for me ((i had the DS) You can read my profile, I talk about my journey in depth esp during the first year. Scott

Well, congrats on being almost  there.  Best of luck to you. Are you still happy you have had the surgery?  Yes, but it took a while -- probably 2 years till I decided I was glad I did it. Do ever crave a huge burger and chips or something?  Yes, and I have it.  I have hamburgers or some type of meat (no buns as I can't eat that and get the protein I need -- but other people I know can -- it's very individual) several times a week.  Relax, you'll be able to eat food again.  You won't live on a tsp. of eggs or something.  As for chips, yes, I have fries once a week or every other week.  The key is not everyday. What complications have you had? I had a rough 9 months.  I couldn't figure out how my stomach worked.  [Remember, you're getting brand new insides after having it the other way your entire life.]  I just couldn't figure out when I had to go to the bathroom, was that a cramp or a pain...things like that. Highs and lows?  Highs:  A lot.  Esp. what I look like, what I can wear (whatever I want pretty much), the fact that no one knows I was ever morbidly obese, etc.  Not worried I'm going to binge like I used to (I can't), not going nuts about my weight all the time (I still get anxious when I weigh every few weeks.  I admit that). Stuff like that.   Lows:  At about 6 weeks I got very depressed and scared.  I'd read some stuff online and heard some people talk at a meeting & wondered what I'd done.  All types of things that could go wrong as my life progressed, etc.  I then spoke to other people at a meeting who didn't scare the heck out of me and read up on all the things that WLS helps to go right.   At 10 mos. I again was depressed.  Now it happens rarely and if it does it's much shorter.  I remember why I did this, that I'm obsessively compliant with vits/minerals/protein/bloods/doctors, etc.  Gas/Stool odor isn't pleasant.  I have to work around this and it can be trying.

3 years out and glad I did this and would do it again. Never let the sugar monster back in, still am sugar free. I can have these burgers and chips if I want them, but being without them I don't miss them as much. I have my carb cravings, and I found that accountability is very important to me. I need to keep myself on track and have the encouragement of others as well. To see things objectively and from the right perspective. Hard to do when you are in the midst of t hings. My weight has been 126-131 for the past year. My size has not changed, and I am healthier than ever before. Had gallbladder out 3 months past surgery. My issues are keeping a healthy vision of myself now and not seeing the fat person in the mirror that I've seen all my life. To not be fearful of going backwards. Again, accountability is so important. No food is as good as t hin feels......and I won't trade a cookie or a burger for this life I have now. loving it. Easy? No. Its easier to give into food , but I've got a tool that has helped me get in control finally over the food monster, and that feels great!!! blessings, Tami

Hi there, I'm not close to 5 years, but I'm 19 months out. I'm still 26 lbs away from my goal, but haven't gained. I go through periods of eating bad and good but primarily for me, still having the restriction (only being able to eat small portions) is what helps me maintain and lose weight. I have been eating really well lately and active everyday trying to lose the last 26. It takes hard work and dedication and you have to make the decision EVERYDAY to eat well and exercise. You really have to come to terms with the fact that you have to do this. I was 288 lbs before surgery, this morning I weighed 171.5. its unreal how much better I feel, I have tons of energy and wouldn't trade having the surgery for anything (except not becoming obese in the first place). anyway, it is a lifestyle change and if you commit to it you will see the results! Good luck, we're cheering for you!