I originally lost 150lbs Nov 2001 went from a size 24 to a size 8.  Nine years later I am still in a siz 8-10.  If I gain 5lbs I take it off.  You must exercise to do that.  Eat a small amount and exercise at least three times per week.  Weigh  yourself each day and if the scale goes up then you need to watch your intake.  I know this has been told to you alot but to maintain the weight loss you must do it.  Dont ever forget where you were before surgery and keep thinking how good you feel now.

Good Luck

Hi my name is Donna and I am almost 7 years out  have gained 30 lbs just in the last 5 months have had several hernia sx and will have another in November of this year (2008) THIS WAS THE BEST IDEA HOWEVER WHAT IS THE SUCCESS RATE AFTER 5 YEARS!  we need follow up appt.s and yes my insurance has paid for all the surgeries, recovery was worst for the hernia than for the WLS, I am on anti-depresents as well  feeling really old and broke down and I though this was going to be great, I can't get well enough to enjoy this new life that is falling down around me,  keep in touch please

Hi Barbara it has been also a year since we have contacted each other I  hope this finds you doing okay, the last year has really been rough, losing so much of diffrent vitamins, I am not very very low with my vitamin D, it will be 7 years next month and I feel that even though in the beginning there were alot of problems they get worse over the years we need to be the voice to let others know research reseach and wonder where are the people who are 5 yrs or more out how is their life going. I have gained 30 lbs since last year (hormone meds had a hysterectomy)  so this month I stopped taking the small dosages of that, plus I have another hernia which is in the same spot as the last one, mesh did not hold up my surgery for this is Nov 17, 2008 and I am really worried about another surgery I am really thinking being almost 300 lbs may have just been better than 7 years of meds meds and more meds, my iron infusions are now 4 times a year, and I am suppose to take 1000 mg of vitamin D, I have not seen an endoc doctor, do you still have contact with others who are 5 or more years out? we need our own forum  take care Donna  

Hi Barbara I am so glad to hear from others like myself, I am unsure about the calcium poblem at this time I have iron defency, I get ion infusions 2 times a month it is just like chemo just the side effects are not has bad, I have kept my weight low gaing a lb here hen losing it back, I don't eat hardly anyhting because I don't want to get sick or gain weight, I am getting realy sleepy so I will talk with you at another time Dona

Hi my name is Donna and I had my sx in Nov of 2001, it will be six years this year . I have not gained any weight however I have been so ill with losing my iron and B-12 stores, two hernia operations and a bowel obstruction sx. I have lost 120 lbs to date down to a size 10/12 from a size 30/32, we are given a chance to lose but mentally we were not prepared for all that came our way, we need to be more educated on what to look for when to look for it and how to take the gift that we were given and make the best of it. I would like to hear from others who are post op 5 or more years