Hello, My 3 yrnanniversary was 12/5/08.  As of today I have lost a total of 57 lbs. from the day of surgery.  I have maintained this weight since my 6month follow-up.  According to my surgeon I had 90lbs of excess weight.  In the big picture I guess I have done well.  However, I am not happy with less than 60lbs.  I have started going back to the basics and hoping that I can kick start my wl again. 

Tomorrow is my three year anniversary.  I've lost a total of 165 lbs in those three years and have had plastic surgery twice.  My final plastic surgery is in March of next year.  Having gastric bypass has changed my life forever, and I'm constantly amazed by things that no amount of research could have prepared us for.  I thought going into surgery that I knew every single thing there was to know about what to expect.  But no one could prepare me for the difference in how we're treated in public, or how it feels to get unsolicited attention constantly, or the feeling of having a flat stomach for the first time ever in my life.

Regrets? Not a single one.  I wake up every morning and am thrilled to know that my life is changed FOREVER. 

Isn't it a wonderful life?  I know, way too corny.

I will be three years post op on the 14th.  I had zero complications.  Left the hospital pain meds free and went back to a desk job in less than two weeks.  I have lost right at 100 pounds, currently weighing 158 as of today.  Ideally, I think 145-149 is my target, but skin may have to get snipped off to get there.  I got to 175 in about ten months and then took the next eighteen months to lose down another few pounds to the current weight.  I have not bounced upward.....yet.

I am a diabetic and it is not fully resolved.  HOWEVER, my numbers are in absolute control with about 1/5 of the medication I took prior to surgery.  And all of that medicine on board still had my diabetes in chaos.  Now, I am a poster child of good control.

Emotionally it has been harder.  Learning to accept me as myself.  The not-so-subtle attention that turns your head.  The compliments along with the realization I wasn't accepted when I was fat.  It was the harder part for me.  I went back to the psych eval doctor this summer and find it very rewarding.  My professional life has skyrocketed.  Fat professionals are not welcomed everywhere.

What's next?  I still never made exercise a part of my life.  I will be fifty next year and KNOW if I don't move I will not hold on to strength and vitality.  I have taken a fondness to wine too far.  It is not a problem yet, but I can forsee a new issue if I don't keep it in check.  I am educating myself.

I sit anywhere.  I wear 10/12 down from 24/26.  My shoe size changed, too!  I am smaller than some of my friends so they give me hand me downs.  I weigh less now than I have ever weighed as a teen or adult.  I went to my 30th high school reunion.  THAT was very fun, indeed.  I hiked part of the Bright Angel Trail in the GRAND CANYON.  Freaking awesome!

I am still stunned when a man gives me attention in public.  It happened this weekend at a company Christmas Party.  My husband's (of 28 plus years) coworkers quickly went hollering for him.  They did not like the man dancing with me. (Huge party, several regions, over 900 guests, so no one knew everyone).  I just laughed.  He was young and cute.  (Golden Rule:  Don't leave me on the dance floor alone and this won't happen!)

What is next for you?  Are you still going to a support group?  (I am).  Do you keep up with other WLS post-ops?  Do you pay it forward when asked?

Keep sharing!  I loved so many of the posters here way back when.  I have such fond memories of the posts and the freak outs and the WOW moments. 

Vicky~
I was JUST thinking of doing this same thing!

I tell you what  - WLS has been one of the best things that has EVER happened to me!!  If I go back to my all-time-highest recorded weight, I have lost 170 pounds.  However, it's probably more like 190 from my highest UNrecorded weight!  And I give God all the glory!

I have fulfilled all of my pre-weight loss surgery goals including:
Sitting ANYWHERE comfortably
Sitting on the floor criss-cross applesauce with my kids
Buying clothes anywhere
RUNNING (I have run 4.5 miles at ONE time!  and finished a 5K!)
I work out - FAITHFULLY

I feel like a different person.  I nearly lost my life initially, but I have had very few complications since!! 

I have learned that I am addicted to food and it's still a daily struggle.  WLS is a wonderful thing, but it's WORK and if you think this is the easy way out, you are a fool.  I still struggle.  But, it's in a different way. 

I wore a size 32 at my largest.
I now wear a size 12 or L

I would still like to get down to 150 - but I am comfortable at 175.  I keep working and DO slide back into old habits.  But, God always brings me around.  It can be a roller coaster, but MOSTLY I am able to maintain and eat healthfully and the way God intended.

What about the rest of you?!  How are things going?!?!

Today is my surgiversary and I have lost a grand total of 181 pounds.  I feel great!  Not one issue, thank the Lord!