Where is everybody?

I had my gastric bypass surgery done in December, 2005, and I have to say that I'm disappointed when I look at this forum.  Everyone seems to have gone by the "weighside!"  I would love to read what other people are doing and how they're doing almost 5 years out.  Are you at goal weight?  Have you gained back some weight?  Are you exercising?  Do you have a totally different lifestyle?  These are some of the questions I want to find answers to.  I feel very alone in this journey, but am doing great.  I am within 3 lbs. of my goal weight of 125 and life is very different.  I spend about 3 hours a day walking and it has changed my life.  I am able to do things I never would have dreamed of being able to do pre-GB.  Although I don't have a support group to go to, I do belong to Weigh****chers and am learning how to eat the right way and how to stay active, etc.  I do have a few minor problems, like insomnia...  I feel I wasted so much time on the couch before I lost weight that I'm making up for lost time.  I have tons of energy that I don't know what to do with, but am loving it!  I have had very few complications or incidents since my surgery and am so grateful for this new way of life and my new body.  I am looking for a gastric bypass support group in the greater Los Angeles area (West), so if anyone knows of any good ones, please let me know.  Nothing tastes as good as thin feels!
Janet

Well Janet I agree at 5 years it is nice to figure out what every one is doing.  As for myself I have meet goal after goal I started this journey weighing almost 400 pounds now I am around 180.   I hit stable for a long while then over the last year just dropped a bunch at once.  As far as excercisng I am doing Kung Fu San Soo 4 days a week.  I do live a totaly different life I am more active and out going.  I feel so much better about me and love the fact that i will get to see my kids grow up.  As of 09/29/10 I did my first plastic surgery for skin removal from my stomach.

Hi Kathryn B.,

So glad you posted a note and I'm thrilled to see how well you've done!  You just had your plastic surgery done for skin removal from your stomach.  How are you feeling?  Are you up and about yet?  It's so awesome that you've taken up Kung Fu San Soo.  I have no idea what that is, but it sounds very energetic.  I think I'm a little older than you (58), not that that's any excuse, but because of arthritis, I just walk a lot and do some upper body exercise with weights, but I walk many hours every day and never miss a day.  It has been the key for me in this weight loss/maintenance journey that I'm on.  I still can't get over the amount of energy I have now as opposed to when I was at my heaviest, 232.  I am down to 126 lbs. now and am loving everything about it!  Keep up the good work! 

Best,

Janet

 I started my journey at 376lbs, got down to 172 around 2 years post-op and maintained there.  I felt so free!  I had tons of energy and newfound confidence.  At almost 4 years post-op, I had a baby and gained 15lbs.  I did lose the baby weight, but became really complacent and regained 26lbs.  I'm slowly making my way back.to where I once was.

5 years out from my lap band.

Started at 260, got down to 185, back up to 212, and now back down to 175. Whew.. slowly, steadily making progress.  No weight gain in 2 years. 

Feels like a Class of '05 reunion.  lol

I've struggled the last few yrs.  high of 275, low 185... had a baby in sept '08.  now have to deal with a regain of 50lbs.

I was on bedrest my whole 3rd trimester [nonwls related].  C-section.

The slippery slope of addiction**** me right after.  bad eating choices.  not exercising and not taking my vitamins..  [bad idea]

Just had my Labwork done, i am low all over.  [though at least my type 2 diabetes is still 'cured']
I am anemic, will be going in later this month to see if i need an iron infusion.  low in D, low in B6...

So don't be a sucker and think everythings okay... Take your vitamins.  there's a great website called www.wlsvitagarten.com  layman's terms on labs/vitamins.

Getting geared up to do the 5DPT [ http://www.5daypouchtest.com/plan/theplan.html ] to de-carb and to go Back on Track.  Then going back to Low Carb... like after surgery.

An interesting post i read elsewhere stated that it was around the 3-5yr mark when we get to comfortable and start to eat badly and neglect our vitamins... we think we are indestructable.

Hi Bethrn,

So glad to hear from a few of us five years later.  It has been a day-to-day struggle for me, but I find that I'm actually doing it and, aside from the occasional binges, I have managed to stay 4 or 5 lbs. above my goal weight of 125.  It isn't easy.  Old habits creep in and out and I always have to be on guard.  I just keep walking the walk and talking the talk (to myself).  I am trying to get a support group together for Los Angeles and have found a few people like myself who are interested in doing the same.  I have found that no one really understands what we have been through...  The changes we have had to make and the new lives we lead.  I have a very supportive family, so that helps a lot!  I went to Curves yesterday to see what that was all about because I'm trying to add some new activities to my repertoire, but wasn't too thrilled with it.  If you have any suggestions re activities, I'd love to hear about them. 

Happy New Year,

Janet