danluvsme,
Great observation. 18yrs out for me.
For me, it took a few years just to figure out
where to put my hands when standing at rest.
I had always rested them on my big belly.
Even with my arms down at my sides,
They they were held out from my sides
by my width.
After losing over half of my body weight,
I struggled to not feel awkward
when standing. Sounds silly,
but that small detail took quite a while
to stop noticing.

As for Keeping weight off for good,
I just started following my Dr.s' post-op regimen,
and it has kept me on track.
Proteins First, nearly no "White Carbs,"-
(White Bread, Rice, Potatoes, most Pasta, Sugar)
I have them in small portions
or I will have uncomfortable gas.
Some white carbs have specific results.
Potatoes put me to sleep
Literally as if I have been given a sedative.
Sugar gives me "dumping syndrome."
More than a large tablespoon
of something sweetened with sugar,
and I'm making several trips to the bathroom.
My body responds to Sugar
as if it were food poisoning.
This has made it very easy to avoid Sugar.
Chocolate loses it's appeal
when it is effectively "Ex-lax."
After only a handful of attempts
to eat sugared sweets,
and suffering it's effects,
I was no longer attracted to sweets.
I do use Stevia products as those with
Sugar Alcohols have the same laxative impact.

I've kept my weight off by listening to my body-
Starting to feel full? -Stop eating immediately.
I have thrown away "Half" of so many entrees.
Our natural tendency is to finish
what we've put on our plates,
even if it seems a small portion.
And-
Yes, it's a waste of food and $
if I've ordered slightly too much food,
But Far, far cheaper than
fighting a battle with my weight.

Has worked for me.
Your Results May Vary.

Best Wishes-
DxE

DxE,

Great tips! Good job on staying the course!!!.

i will be 25 years post wls on oct 31... I noticed heart rate is a little low- like mine... If it drops from that as a resting and your energy suffers- try adding iodine.. i use sea kelp tablet, other topical forms are available...also K2 moves minerals back to bones and teeth. when research came out on k2 researchers said would require 30 lbs broccoli per day to get required amt..with my minerals yo yo ing-i have lost most teeth..

Excellent post! Thanks for the great advice. I am 13 years post-op and these are great reminders for me.

Thanks for the information. An adolescent program would be ideal. Especially like the one you described! My sister and her husband are looking into it.

Congratulations on 18 years of weight loss success and welcome back to the boards. I always appreciate hearing from longer term post ops because I most always learn something or am reminded of things.