Questions for post ops, 18mos plus re: Maintenance

Who here is 18 months or more out from their WLS? I have been so focused on surgery choice, surgery this, surgery that, etc. that I didn't think too far beyond it. Well, what happens when you get to the maintenance phase? I can only imagine that this brings on a whole new set of fears and self doubting and wondering if you're going to keep it off, right? See, I can't put myself in those shoes yet, but knowing I want the best mental prep I can get before surgery, why they heck wouldn't I ask about this! It is probably more important if not the most important factor to your long-term success at keeping the weight off, right? I can't imagine any one of us wanting to go back from where we started weight wise, so I just think this mental ping pong in the maintenance stage has to be huge. How do you deal with it? TIA peeps.

Sorry, I'm 9 days pre-op so I'm sure there are wiser ones in the group who should answer, but I know that my life will never be the same ~  I don't want it to be the same. Use the tool.

No advice here either.  I just wanted to say good for you for looking that far ahead and trying to prepare yourself the best you can. 

Hello again Amy.....I will be anxious to hear more on this subject too. Thanks for posting this. Hugs, connie d

What a great question! I can't wait to hear the answer to this one too! Thanks for posing the question miss Amy.

Hmmm... good questions, Amy.  I guess I'm the first 'old timer' to step up to the plate *** bad choice of word?) Okay. I'm gonna be 3 years out on May 16.  I can eat almost anything and often do---and then I quite often pay for that!  ((But I eat a whole lot less than I otherwise would've))  I do dump--but not regularly or on any specific food.  I TRY to stick to the 3 most cardinal laws of WLS: PROTEIN FIRST,  64 oz. OF WATER, and NO LIQUIDS WITH MEALS OR 1 HOUR AFTER. I don't consider myself to be on maintenance, although I guess by WW standards I would be.  Gastric bypass life is a journey that is learned as you go---and having the much smaller tummy is a definite tool. I don't ever see myself reverting back to what I was before--275 lbs of misery. I am MUCH healthier and MUCH happier than before and I refuse to go back from whence I came.  I aim to get to 150 lbs. (in this lifetime!) but if I don't rid myself of those pesky 10 lbs. I'm still so much farther ahead of where I was 3 years ago.  I think if I could afford plastic surgery I'd be rid of that weight.  But that's part of the next chapter in my life story. And this is my story now and I'm sticking to it! ((HUG)) **SUE**

Hi  What a great question!!  It took me a bit to really reflect on this and to come up with a good response. So, here goes......I'm 5 years 4 months out and have lost 140 pounds. I've gone up and down with my weight about 20 pounds or so. This stage of my journey is the hardest stage. In the beginning, it's all so new and you're so excited with this new tool The weight comes off pretty easily. It is a major adjustment though, but for me the first 8-10 months, I wasn't even hungry. Once the hunger came back, then I really had to deal with my "head" issues. I am absolutely thrilled with where I am as far as comparing this to where I was. I think the biggest help that anyone can do to help with the maintaining, is to keep up with the support groups, coffee groups etc. It SOOOO helps to be around people going through the same issues. Also, listen to those who are further out and learn from everything they have gone through. Askinh this question, is a great way to get some feedback. Basically, for me, remembering where I can from, 320 pounds, being out of breath going up 7 steps, having to stop for breath just to go across the street and get the mail, having to have my husband help me out of the bathtub because I couldn't get up by myself, watching from the sidelines as my girls grew up and not being able to participate because I was so obese, not fitting in to airplane seats, hearing all the snickers and seeing people staring at me, feeling bad for my husband because of the comments people made about me, being borderline diabetic, high cholesterol, high blood pressure etc., and also wearing 5x tops, size 30 pants. Focusing on how wonderful life is with the weight off helps immensely, but also to not get complacent if where we are because this is a LIFETIME committment. ALso, don't give up on yourself if you gain a few pounds, just refocus, and start over again.  It is hard when we go through major stresses in our lives. It is soooo easy to fall back in to the bad habit of using food for comfort. Get the help you need to deal with these issues; be it support groups, family, friends, therapist.......get the help where ever you can get it. For me, the support groups I attended when I was in Minnesota was the most help. Once I lost that support, by moving to Sacramento then on to Reno, I had to find other ways to get the support. THey have support groups here, but not more of the one on one that Minnesota has. I had to turn to other support, which for me is my awesome husband, who has been there for me since day 1. He's the best and kicks me in the butt when I need it. Hope this helps you get in to the mindset for THE RIDE OF YOUR LIFE!!!!!! Hugs Peggy   from 56 degree Reno 

Hi Amy... good question.. For myself I find this stage harder than losing... losing for me was easy.  Trusting my pouch and training now is another story. How do you hover between a five pound area... not get so afraid that your going to blow it and keep going up and up and up to your old weight, knowing full well your past. The thing is you get little support from others because they think that since your at this magic weight its all fixed.   I have gotten almost laughed at for fretting over two pounds.... that hurts  me so much because to me its not like the skinny girl *****ing about being fat... its a true fear of mine that those two pounds will turn to twenty. Its all a balancing act... and as I said it was easier losing.  How much is too much in either direction. " Your too thin.... " The preasure that your a role model and dont want to let others down, I guess I will dedicate another year to learning this now. I strive daily to mentally not get overwhelmed ...  I still have the heart of a fat girl... I dont have it all figured out and am scared. I have gotten great suppot on the Grads board and think thats the best place for me now. Thank you for addressing this issue... I love you dearly for always seeing into the future and caring so much.