I know it's been awhile since you posted this question, and you may have had your surgery by now. I just wanted to add one thing on this subject. Age plays a part in how your skin behaves. As a person ages (on average) the skin loses it's elasticity (it's ability to stretch and go back to it's original shape). I'm no expert in WLS, as I'm just beginning to do my research. I just believe that at age 25 your skin may well be more supple and able to adjust to your WL. Good Luck! TTFN Lady

Excellent point. I find myself daily reminding many of my (still overweight) friends that skinny does not = happy. Whatever other problems one has (ie -- control issues, depression, co-dependency) won't necessarily go away with the weight loss. Happiness, in my opinion, is self-created -- it comes from within. Thanks for such an enlightening quote! --joanna 331/325/117/140 consult/surgery/current/goal

Don't know that i can be of any help but I can sympathize. I am 2 years and some months out . i never got much below that 100 lb. wt. loss (and I needed 150)-that with strenuous exercise, kickboxing etc. and now I am struggling. Have gained a few pounds and trying to " starve" again. I know I have gone back to some bad habits, yet i can't help looking at others who had such an easy time and didn't even have to exercise or anything. I know everyone is different but that doesn't always help. I also am in a position where I could never afford any other surgery especially the plastic surgery i would want so badly. When you don't have enough $ it's hard to eat right too. Fortunately I don't have all these terrible problems you have with feeling bad and your teeth and all-I am so sorry you do. Although truthfully I have to confess I have wished on occasion something would make me throw up. I shouldn't say these things as a support group leader but today I am just a regular guy scared to get really fat again. I remain happy to have lost 100 lbs. and will be happy even if i remain at that weight, though I yearn for that skinnier body, but I absolutely pray I do not fail completely. I had a a whole lot of wonderful teaching but no one knows till they get down the road how scary and hard things can sometimes be. Support group does help in a lot of ways but sometimes seeing everyone else continue to lose is hard too. We must hang in and follow the advice we were given but I'm sending you a silent little prayer from me to you also. Good luck to us! JoAnn

We have a few RNY to DS people on the DS forum. Maybe you could post your question there and get a few more responses.

"After the euphoria of rapid weight loss fades, a harsh reality appears: Life is still tough even if you can fit in an airplane seat."