I just came back to this site after 17 years. It's so nice to see another long hauler. I too lost and gained but the tool never goes away.

Diabetes came back so I became OCD about controlling it. My A1C was 12 in January 2021. Today it is 6.4 and I have lost weight again. I now face another issue (hence why I am seeking help) with self identity. It didn't bother me the first time I lost weight but it is now. I have only known, in my mind, what it is like to be fat. I don't know how to accept that everything from my personal space to sitting on the toilet feels different. Not necessarily better, but unfamiliar and I'm not liking it. I am looking for anyone who can understand.

I have rambled but I just wanted to touch base which anyone who is this far out. Very nice to meet you.

Definitely all the things I can do now that I couldn't/wouldn't do before. Hiking last week I had to climb a crack between two rocks not much bigger than my hips today.....pre WLS, if I had even gotten to that point, I would have had to turn back!

Thanks. I, too, hope the next DEXA comes out ok. I am doing well otherwise (and hope you are, too!)

I can maintain my current weight (high 150s) if I stay in the 1500-1700 calorie a day range. If I go over that too often or by too many calories in any given week, my weight will start to creep up. If I consistently eat at the low end of the range or below it, I'll lose. But people's maintenance ranges can vary quite a bit. There are a lot of women on here who have to eat less than I do - and some who can eat more. It's pretty much trial and error to find your sweet spot.

How many calories do you stick to? I'm up 40 lbs from my lowest.