Any lurking 18+ mnth post ops around?

There are several sites at Yahoo Groups that have post ops to talk with too. http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG/

Hey Michelle, I am a little over 13 months, and I know what you mean. I am wanting to hear about what you are going through now, as I know it will partly apply to me. I am starting to get out of the honeymoon stage, and just curious about maintaining and keeping it off, and if that is hard to do, or do most people just stay around the same weight. I will be interested to see if there are longer post ops out there *****ply!! GOOD LUCK!! You look fantastic!!!! Deb

It seems that most people get on with their lives by 4 years out, there are a few that pop in occassionally on the other board but its based on whats happening in their lives. If they put on a few pounds they come back for support and to get back to basics. I have noticed alot that went MIA after one year, put on 10-20 pounds at about 2 years out, for various reasons, but mostly they got comfortable and got back into carbs and not so much exercise. Some will call it the 10 pound bounce back weight, some might call it (and it's true for some) muscle weight from working out. The key to success is calories in vs. calories out. It's the one constant, if you take in more than you burn it will creep up on you. So if ya dont have a exercise routine try adding one gradually. I think alot of it depends on where your head is, if ya didnt resolve the reasons you ate, the causes/triggers for binges etc, they are still lurking and waiting to help you sabotage yourself. It takes alot to stretch out your pouch, but it will relax some as you can eat more over time than from the beginning. You can retrain it by following the rules. Definitely keep your network of support even though you moved away, this board and people that you have "grown up" with will be the ones you can come back to later or may need you later. No one's perfect. I know whats right. I can preach till I am purple to early post ops, but when it comes to me I have to fight my own demons. Keep reading profiles, that knowledge is sitting there waiting. Keep a food journal. It is the best way to know what you ate, where your trends are, and be honest in it cause you would only be lying to yourself. Anyways, so I ramble on. M