5 years out!

It doesn't seem like it, but it's been quite a while since surgery. I've had no major complications. I can eat limited sugar and carbs with no problems, that's probably not a good thing. I got down to 209 lbs, but I've slowly gained about 40 pounds over the years. When I was 209 pounds, my wife, and others, would make comments about me being too skinny. Can you imagine that? I have surgery to lose the weight, now I'm too skinny. Before I had surgery I wore size 44 pants, and 3-4XLT shirts. At my lowest weight, I wore 34 pants, and LT shirts. Currently, I wear 36 pants, and XLT shirts, which is ok with me. At least I don't have to shop at big and tall stores like before surgery. I can eat fairly normally most of the time. There are still times when I just can't eat that much. Which is a good thing, because if I could eat more, I probably would. I can stay on my feet as long as I need to now, which was very difficult at my before weight. I've maintained taking all my vitimans everyday, and try to get as much protein as possible. I do have some foods that I just can't eat too much of without getting sick. They are: cream gravy, ice cream, too much sugar of any kind, and milk. I'm sure there is more, but can't think of any more.

I mainly just want to let the new guys know that life does return to normal and it's all worth it in the end.


Ron

Congrats on a fantastic job, my friend.

Way cool!!  The years go rushing by...You're just out there enjoying life.  Ron, a quick question....How does pork sit with you??  Enjoy the ride.  Brian

I am three years post op (yesterday) I pretty much have the exact same story. I cannot eat as much as I used to, but can eat ANYTHING, which is bad. I liked it when I got sick.

My suggestion to the new folks is DONT sneak the sweets. It happened at Christmas time for me. My wife baked all of those sweets and I sneaked one, didn't make me sick, so next time I passed by, I sneaked another and it was over.

I still try and stay away from the bad stuff but still eat way too much of the food I am not supposed to.

I too have gained some weight back, which is the reason I logged back on today after being away for 2 years. I need to get back in the grind for doing it right.

I am still down from 5xl shirts to 1xl and 2xl and down from a tight 48 pants to a loose 38.

It's great reading the stories of those who are so far out from surgery. Guys, you may have gained a small part of the weight back, but you are still winning the long-term battle. It's very encouraging hearing from you.

 Im about 4 1/2 years out from my bypass. Before surgery i weighed 520 Lbs. At my lowest I was 225, almost 300 pounds lost in about 1 year. I have had no complications and only had second thoughts during the first few weeks which I think is normal. I too have gained and need to get back on the wagon because I eat the wrong things and miss meals, etc. I have gained back about 70 pounds but I still feel great. I had the same thing happen to me with people and family telling me that I looked too thin at my smallest. I wore size 69 pants pre-surgery and got down to size 38. I now wear size 44-48 depending on the cut, but you are right its still better than the size I was prior to the surgery. 

I am thinking of the 5 day pouch test. Anyone tried that?

Jeff

Great to read the stories of the vets on here.  it provides great insight and motivation to what is possible over time. 
  Great job everyone!!!