Two Year Surgiversary!

Two years post-op! What can I say for those of you wondering what it is like at this point?

The stats:
- 5'3", 61 @ surgery
- HW 219 pounds
- LW 114 pounds
- Loss: 105 pounds
- Comfort range: 115-118 pounds
- In maintenance for 15 months

The process:
- Surgery was easier than I expected with little pain and no nausea. I felt 100% sometime between 4-6 weeks and was just a little tired leading up to that point.
- Going through the eating progression and getting used to drinking water all the time, but not around meals seemed daunting at the time, but it really only took a couple of months until I was pretty comfortable with what to eat, how to eat, etc.
- The vitamin regimen also seemed a little overwhelming at first, but once I figured out the timing (calcium and coffee separate from iron), and got used to setting timers for myself it was no big deal.
- I lost weight faster than I expected, hitting my original goal in less than 7 months and settling in my current range of 115-118 2 months later. I did lose almost 1/3 of my weight over the several months pre-op.
- This is the first time I have stayed at goal weight for this long. This is the lowest I have weighed since I was 15 (though I was also at this weight for one other day - my wedding day). I have had countless diets from the age of 17 to 61, generally every 3 years. I reached goal on some of them usually for a day or at most a few weeks, then I started back up and ended up higher than before the diet.

Why is this different than before WLS?
- I fill up faster when I eat a proper meal with dense protein.
- I follow strategies I mostly learned from OH
- I weighed once I month until I hit my original goal, and have weighed daily since then. I need that to be accountable and to reset daily if I had a high calorie day the day before.
- If my weight approaches or goes over my desireable range, I drop my calories for as many days are necessary to get back to the middle or bottom of that range. I intentionally keep the range narrow (115-118).
- I more or less plan what I eat - I usually eat the same things (generally protein based, filling and satisfying). I do occasionally have bites of desserts but try not to do that too often. I do plan snacks that I know are safe and I enjoy. Some of my tastes have changed - I crave fish and coffee now as opposed to pre-WLS.
- I eat every 3-4 hours, so I basically have 5-6 small meals each day. I go out to eat at least once a week without problem usually getting a protein based appetizer or main meal. I eat my usual amount and take the rest home for leftovers (I love leftovers).
- I track everything I eat in MFP.
- I drink way more than 64 ounces a day
- I stop drinking during a meal and at least for 1/2 hour afterwards
- I take my vitamins religiously
- I stay active, which in my case is walking 3-4 miles a day at minimum
- I chew a lot of gum
- I read and post on OH every day. I enjoy the people, the accountability and the support. I participate on 2 menu threads and in the VSG maintenance group.
- I attend an in-person support group once a month, but don't worry when I miss it because I have OH daily.

A few other comments/observations:
- Unlike a recent poster in one of the forums, I did have to work at losing the weight and still work hard to maintain. My VSG "tool" helps, but I can't pretend that I can eat anything I want anytime I want. Also, I know I have to take vitamins for life to stay healthy.
- My metabolism seems to have slowed down quite a bit in year 2 vs year 1. Eating indiscretions take more time to recoup from.
- What was my skin like? My stomach was the worst and probably because of my age and my formally round face I had a real turkey gobbler neck. I had PS to correct those. I do have some excess on my arms, breasts, butt and thighs but not enough to bother me. I had to pay out of pocket for PS, it it was worth it for me.
- Would I do it again? In a heartbeat! I wish I had done it years ago. I had high BP which couldn't be normalized, was pre-diabetic, had sleep apnea, an achy back, knees and feet, had some GERD, and high cholesterol. Now I only take a very low dose of BP medication. And I feel terrific! I sleep better, don't have aches and pains and have way more stamina than I used to. And BTW, I look pretty good in clothes (size 0 mostly).

In summary, Thank You OH friends for helping me along the way and always being there. I truly believe my success to date and in my future is due to YOUR support!

Before:

After:

Very pretty lady Liz, Happy and Healthy - glad you are enjoying your retirement, very happy for you!

Happy anniversary Liz! I cracked up at "turkey gobbler neck." You look incredible.

Thank you for sharing everything you've learned and how you've had success! You look amazing!

Happy Surgiversary!!!!! You were always beautiful - you look HEALTHIER, now !!!

Thank you, for sticking around, and contributing, DAILY. You inspire me, more than you can know

Happy Surgiversary Liz!! What an awesome and helpful post. Congratulations on all your hard work and diligence paying off, you look fabulous!

You have done a phenomenal job Liz. You're the posted child for WLS.

Thanks for sticking around and helping others.

Congratulations Liz, you are very beautiful, inside and out and your story amazing! Thank you for sharing

Congratulations and thanks for staying here and paying it forward

Absolutely wonderful inspirational post Liz.... thank you soooo much. Happy Surgiversay! and by the way...you look gooorhgeous. And very healthy... Have a great day.