Six years post op

I wanted to know if there is anyone out there who has maintained their weight loss for over six years.  That is the first question.  The next question is, did anyone start losing weight again after that point?  It seems that when I passed that 6 yr mark, I started losing weight again.  I remember when I had 3 years postop and I gained 10-15 lbs. When I wrote in about it, you guys responded that it was normal at that period of time to gain a percentage of the weight lost back, which was exactly what I gained.  I lost 140 lbs and at that point, I gained back 14 lbs.  So, I am wondering if this is a normal happening for 6 yr. postop.  Anyone have this experience?  I talk to a lot of people who have had this surgery and have gained ALL or most of their weight back (how sad) but I have a hard time finding people who have maintained a long-term weight loss program.  Thanks in advance.  Katstone

 I regained 20 lbs around years 3-4, then when I opened a restaurant and dropped 15 lbs and have maintained that with 5 lbs fluctuation ever since.

Valerie - that sounds so ironic...

" I opened a restaurant and dropped 15 lbs"

lol - you totally ROCK that DS!!!!

 Seven years going strong, I am currently dieting and lost a few pounds, I have about 7 more to go to be back at my goal of 138..

I am 7 years out and got to my goal and have stayed there. I might go up 1 pound or under 1 pound. I weigh everyday so I can keep up with it. I didn't go through all this to gain my weight back.I think you are doing wonderful.

 Bravo to you all!!!! I'd love to post something similar when I am several yrs out!!! Thanks for the inspiration and knowing it can be done...didn't mean to hijack the OP. 

Oh yes, my friend.....It can be done. I am living proof.  The key to success, I think, was that I followed the doctor's instructions to the letter. I had the paper hanging on my fridge and read it over and over.  When it said drink 2 ounces, that is what I did, not 2 1/2, but 2.  I didn't deviate from the schedule one bit.  To tell you the truth, I was scared to deviate one bit.  My surgeon explained the surgery to me having had the RNY and told me how delicate the insides were and need to be pampered for a while. I had it done laparoscopically, so there were very little incisions.  All the incisions and sutures were on the inside.  So, that was the key to success for me.  I also think that back in 2005 when this was relatively new, the postop instructions were a little more strict.  My friend has hers done in 2010 and she was eating bread and drinking diet soda something like 2 months postop.  I just had my first diet coke two days ago after 6+ years....LOL.  I didn't have bread for a year.  Now, I eat whatever I want except tuna, just in moderation.  It's funny cause I eat the Weigh****chers meals because they are delicious and they are packed in moderation. So, they are perfect for me.  When I go out to eat, I ask the waitress/waiter to bring a to-go box right away and I cut the meal in half, put it in the box and set it aside because I know I can't eat the whole meal and if it is on my plate, I might try to and then I will get sick.  My mind has a little button that goes off when I have had enough and it is so strange.  It tells me, "If you take one more bite, you are going to throw up". So, I stop.  Cheezus, I'm so sorry for going on and on like this.  I hope this was helpful.

Seven years out and maintaining below goal. I did go 7 lbs over my goal in 2010 but was able to lose it relatively easy. Went through a divorce in 2011 plus lost my Dad to cancer and lost 18 lbs was looked sick. I'm up 10 of those 18 and maintaining at this point.

Are you dealing with stress that may be keeping you from eating much? Certain stressful situations make my pouch clamp shut. A bite or two of food is all I can handle when that happens.

So sorry to hear about your divorce, I think? and very sorry about your Dad. Yes, the stress is very much so in my life.  In February, I developed some nausea after eating but it lasted all month, went to gastro doc who ordered ultrasound which revealed something (cyst) in the head of the pancreas, wanted more tests MRI, which said the same thing, you know how those tests go.  They say there's nothing there, "However", "Although", wanted more tests, endoscopic ultrasound, waiting for an appt for that.  I never heard of that, that stressful situations make your pouch clamp shut.  That's exactly what it feels like, and that is exactly all I can handle with food.  So, thank you for responding to my post.  Good luck with your maintenance.  I was doing so well since last July hovering about 107-109 and now I get on the scale and it reads 95-98. I'm older now and skinny does not look good on me. Take it easy. 

I had my surgury in 2003 back when it was new and not much was known.  My lowest weight was 171 and of course like everyone else i gained some back and my settled at 189.  Thats the
weight i have been now for almost 10 YEARS....I truely believe its all about you and what you want.  Those that gain it back can probably look within themselves and tell you that no one is to blame but themselves for the weight gain.

I am going back to the basics this week to see if i can lose about 30 pound by the beginning of next year.  wish me luck I will post for everyone to see if it is possible to go back to losing weight
10 years later