Congrats to you and all the October 2005 peeps. I made 5 years on Halloween. I have recently over this last year gained back 30 pounds but I am working hard at getting that back off.  I actually just joined Weigh****chers, i want to see if that helps me get back on track. 

Really late but my 5 yr Anniversary was 10/26/10. I'd originally lost 130 from 300 but I was back up to 215. I lost the 15 by myself over the holidays (I have no idea how??) I've started seeing my surgeon again and he recommended me to a medical weight loss clinic.
4 days ago after the EKG and bloodwork they prescribed me (Phentermine) 37.5 at 1/2 pill 2x daily. I feel great as my thyroid has been off the last couple years and my PCP would not up my dose even though my TSH was at the super high end of normal (5.3). So for me the amphetimene part kind of normals me out. So far I'm down 7 pounds in 3 days.
Gaining the 45 lbs scared the heck out of me and I'm going to do anything to get it off. I even had to buy another entire set of clothes because I'd gone from a lg back to a 1x. At least I saved all my too small clothes in the back room with a sticker on them that says "Do NOT Open until under 185" LOL. My biggest weakness was rice, potatoes and bread. I still don't do a lot of sugar and drink only SF things (blue SF Rockstars . I don't even buy real sugar anymore; everything in my house is Splenda.
I'll post more when I see if this works or not.

Hey ya'll!

I know this is a bit late, but I haven't been on this site in MONTHS!  I'm glad to see that some of you still frequent this board.  Congrats to everyone for hitting our 5 year mark! :o)

I have kept off 100 of my 130 lbs lost.  Most of that 30 lb. gain was during this past summer!  I feel so out of control lately.  I constantly think about food, sneak snacks when I can, drink carbonated drinks and beer as well as wine.  I've slowed my alcohol content right much since summer but I love a good glass of wine while fixing dinner at night. 

I think first of the year I'm going to contact an eating disorder doctor, or at least see if my emotional problem is severe enough for additional medical assistance.  I didn't go to my 5 year WLS doctor appointment because my insurance is completely rediculous in charging me almost $1,000 for the visit and bloodwork.  They did this with my 4th year anniversary appointment.  I had my primary doctor do the same bloodwork during my physical and all of my results were normal.  I still take my recommended vitamins MOST of the time (I tend to slack off on the weekends).  My blood sugar and my cholesterol readings are still in great shape. 

I have slacked off on exercise as well.  I have a desk job and try to move around or stand when possible, but I know that's not enough.  I garden right much in the summer, but my doctor says I need to do more aerobic exercise to raise my heart rate.  Easier said than done.

Of all the "diets" I have tried since surgery, I find that the South Beach plan is easiest to stick to.  Now that the holidays are here, that's virtually impossible!  Lately, it's one party after another!

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday and I'm wishing everyone the best for 2011!

Happy thoughts to you all,
Lori

Happy Belated 5 year Anniversary 
Hard to believe we are at that 5 year mark. You should be proud of keeping those 100lbs off!! Way to go!!!! I wonder what has happened to the rest of us who have started out together on this journey?!

I hit my 5 year mark too. I'm still trying to get off the 17lbs I've gained over the years. I never should have introduced the evil "S'' (sugar) back into my diet...boooo.

Take care Jane!!

Glad to hear from you Gail.  The skin issue for me is such a huge problem.  I wear so much compression garmets that keeps everything so tight to my  skin.  I can't stand to see it hang but that is how I deal with it.  Surgery has never been in my plan since mine would be selfpay but you know it is a constant reminder where I was but I hate carring around that much skin.

Good luck!!!