3 years today !!! or ???

I got an e-mail this morning saying Congrads for 3 years! I was shocked. I had not even realized that today was my 3 year surgery date. I have very mixed feelings about my progress. 3 years ago I weighed 390 pounds. Today I weight about 275. I'm wearing a size 20 (on "Good" days) I haven't been in that size since?????? God I don't think I've ever been in that size (maybe junior high or elementary school) YES, I am VERY GREATFUL, YES, I realize that I have possibly added years to my life. BUT STILL I'M DISAPOINTED! I really feel like although I've lost over 100 pounds, I've still failed. I feel really cheated when I hear of or see someone else who has had they surgery who is a size 10 or 12. I walk almost every day. If I don't I know that I would be gaining OVERNIGHT..... I get soooooooooooooooooooo tired sometimes of HAVING to WORK IT!!! I feel like others look at me as if I'm one of the ones the surgery didn't work for. I keep reminding myself that I could still be 390 pounds. So today I have decided to pick my head up and pat myself on the back and just keep going!!! I really wish there was a local support group here where we could exercise together and encourage each other to keep the faith.

ARE YOU KIDDINGGGGGG?!! you ARE a success!!! yes, keep your head up and keep walking....remember the rules..go back to the basics. also, when was your last check-up?? bloodwork?? ..perhaps there is a level off somewhere...thyroid is a big one. you've made it this far...this is a life change..there will always be struggles and challenges...we've been given a tool ..we just have to read the manual and follow directions. 1. PROTEIN. 2. 30 MIN. RULE 3. EXERCISE. 4. DRINK DRINK DRINK. (no sodas, no sugars.) 5. MODERATION AND LIMITATIONS. 6. SMILEEEE for seeing another day! congrats on making it this far and losing over 100 pounds..you are a success

Thanks so much for the encouragement. Folks of this board have been so much help and so up lifting to me. You are right I do need to remember the tools and stick to them.

Hi Debra~ I agree with everything Dawn said in the previous post. You have done an unbelievable job. It takes time, focus, and energy to have lost more than 100 lbs. We need to stay positive and attempt not to compare ourselves to others and what they have accomplished. You are great for just being you! Definitely check out your bloodwork with your doc. Knowledge is power!! Hugs, Kerr

Congratulations on your 3rd year anniversary. Please don't feel like a failure. You have succeeded. Maybe not as much as you would like, but taking off over 100 pounds is a SUCCESS! I think we all have to work at it every day for the rest of our lives. I, too am tired of having to work it. I guess it is something that we have to accept and move on. We're only a failure if we stop trying; then we've given up on ourselves. You didn't do that, so you are definitely a SUCCESS!! Hang in there with the rest of us. We here to support each other. Hugs, Lucy

Hi Debra, CELEBRATE YOUR SUCCESS!!! Over 100 lbs is great, and the fact that you have kept it off is even greater! I guess they forget to tell us this takes a lot of work. We (my sister and I) tell our support group at every meeting, the first year is a honeymoon and you will loose the majority of your weight during that time no matter what, after that it's damn hard work!! We tell our pre-ops this. I think you have done great. Keep it up, stick with the rules as best you can, and exercise. No matter what our weight, exercise is so good for us, even a little goes a long way (weigh). Take weight loss in small percentages, even 5% at a time seems easier, and makes a big difference in our health. Find a good support group and go. If I were not a support group leader and did not attend meetings (we meet 2x a month) I think I would have gained more than my 10-15 lbs. It keeps me honest and humbled. Good luck and again congratulations! Debra