Jeff, Congratulations! Isn't it great to be able to do things that we never could have imagined three years ago? Mary

What an amazing journey the last 3 years has been. I've lost 150 pounds and I've kept it off 16 months. For the last 16 months my weight has been fairly stable. I don't think I've ever maintained a weight for such a long period of time. I worried whether or not the surgery would work for me, I was sure I would be the one person who wouldn't lose weight. So, that wasn't true. Now my struggle is with worrying about regaining weight. It is a constant battle. Now that I am three years out from surgery, it is so much easier to eat. I can understand how easy it is to gain weight. While I can't eat large quantities at one time, I could certainly graze my way through the day. This is why I would emphasize the importance of developing good habits in the early days after surgery. The success of the last three years is not measured just in pounds. There are so many other measures such as: - my diabetes being under control. This is the number one, most important result of my weight loss! - I can move with ease - I can run. I ran in the NYC Marathon a month ago, fulfilling a dream I had for a long time. -I don't have to worry about fitting into plane seats. Just this week I traveled to Texas for a class. Coming home I had to sit in the middle seat. Now, I would still prefer not to sit in the middle, but I didn't have to worry about fitting or being able to get out of the row when the person on the inside needs to get up. -Taking dance lessons. -Taking the stairs, just because I can. As important as all my successes and WOW moments are, it is also important to me that I remember the pain. I don't want to forget how miserable I was, as I believe it helps me not to allow myself to go back there. I know it could be all too easy to slip back into old habits. It is easier to eat now, and I can eat more than I've been able to. I have to watch that I don't allow myself to start picking up bad habits along the way.

Hi Karen, Good luck on your Plastic surgery It's a shame that so many of us don't post and keep in touch anymore. I kind of miss it myself as I check the board from time to time. Hugs Donna

HI Jeff Congrats on your wonderful success and your new job. I'm jealous. I would love to be in Florida, instead of up here in Canada shovelling the snow. LOL Happy Holidays, Karen G

Glad to see you popped in. Can you believe it's been 3 years? I'm down to 170 from 334.