7 Years...

 Hi all, I copied this from my post on the March 04 board to share with everyone......

Hey everybody...I can not believe I missed the 10th!!! Annnnyway Yeah 7 years and all is well!!! I must say these past years have been a total blessing...I have still maintained my weightloss, I am up 3 pounds from my all time low and holding steady, Thank God...I started out as a lightweight 247 and have kept off 86 pounds total, which keeps me at 161, and I feel GREAT! I have had no complications at all, well maybe one, I was low on my Vit D and have gotten that under control with extra supplements, it is good now. I still pretty much eat everything just all in moderation and I still dont drink with my meals and always try to get a ton of protein in first. If I had to do this again my answer would still be IN A HEARTBEAT!!!!

For those of you beginning this journey...yes its scary at first, I know I was petrified in the beginning, wondering if I was doing the right thing, wondering if I would be that 1% ...but I must tell you I am soo happy I did it. With alittle hard work and following the basic rules and not thinking the weight drop is all automatic, but by working your tool, you can achieve your goals too!!!

Thanks for the encouragement.

My date is 05/24/2011.  Like you, I'm scared, petrified, am I doing the right thing, etc.

Here's alittle more encouragement for you...both my parents had open rny in there 60s...both to this day are doing fine and they are 8 years out...my dad is off all BP meds and no longer diabetic and mom is off all meds too...they both look and feel great. I think surgery added years onto my parents lives....also my sister is 8 years out, she gained back about 20 pounds but all in all is doing wonderful too...its normal to be scared, I cried as I was being taken into the OR...came out alittle sore for the wear but honestly after about 2 months I was good to go...you'll be fine and in another year you'll be encouraging someone else who's on their journey. I wish you the best and will keep you in my thoughts and prayers...see you on the loosing side :)

Congratulations! Your story is very encouraging. I always hear that people gain weight back after abou 5 years. But you have proved that notion wrong. I will be 2 yrs post op in November. This is the best I have ever felt. I started at 286lbs and I am 183lbs now. I am still working on getting to at least 170lbs, but I am definitely not sweating that at all. I feel good wearing a size 10. But losing over 100 lbs is great! My eating habits have changed. Like you I don't eat and drink at the same time. I can pretty much eat anything, but only in moderation. Good luck to everyone else out there. You can do it and keep it off!