My two year surgiversary, with a before and after picture!

(Technically it's tomorrow but I might not be able to post). Don't all of these posts start off with: I can't believe it's been two years since surgery? Yep, they do! While I am not far out enough to be a vet, I am past that honeymoon period (weight is melting off! New clothes! The airplane seatbelt fits! The gym towel wraps around my body! The compliments feel so good!) and being "normal" sized is my new "normal". I will confess, however, that maintenance is a ***** for me at least. I was not one of those people who had surgery and just never thought of food again, and has to set an alarm to eat. I still think about food, I still find myself turning to food in times of stress, loneliness, anxiety, and celebrations. I wouldn't say it's a daily struggle, but it's definitely work for me. I have to force my butt to the gym. I have to plan my menu. I have to log my food into MyFitnessPal and check my protein and carb numbers and adjust accordingly. I have to make changes, for example skip the pita chips at lunch if I know I am having a glass of wine in the evening. It's all about balance, and I am working hard to find that balance.

I made my goal (160 lbs, I am 5'4" and 38 years old and comfortably a size 8 pants at 160) by being very hardcore for that first year or so. I was super low carb, I didn't have a sip of alcohol for 12 months, and I worked out like it was my second job. Well as most people can attest, once you reach goal, nothing really changes. It's not like anything should change - I would venture to guess that the majority of us are food addicts and as soon as you start incorporating alcohol and carbs and grazing back into your life, guess what? The scale reflects that! So I am at 170.4 on the day of my two year surgiversary. And not thrilled about that 10 lb gain, but very cognizant that it is my own doing. Aside from being cognizant, I am determined. I am determined to lose that 10 lbs. The pounds don't melt off at two years out, and as many others who have battled regain here will tell you, you have to restrict your calories by 500 PER DAY to just lose 1 lb a week. But after how far I have come, I would like to think that 10 lbs won't get the best of me.

My word of caution to the newbies...as you see the scale moving and you celebrate milestones ("100 lbs lost!" "Onederland!") don't say "100 lbs lost forever!" or "I will never weigh over 200 lbs again!". Because as time passes and your new body isn't so new anymore and the compliments stop and your little pouch is just a tiny bit bigger...it's work. I don't mean to sound negative by any means - my RNY was the best thing I have ever done in my life, and I feel incredible, and I now have a bikini body thanks to my plastic surgery! I just see so many people on here testing their pouch/stomach so soon after surgery, and it worries me on your behalf, since I am struggling with a 10 lb regain and wouldn't have dreamt of eating a piece of pizza a few months after surgery. So stay strong as long as you can, and truly try to incorporate your new eating and exercise habits into lifestyle changes!

For anyone who is interested, my previous "milestone" posts are below. Perhaps something that worked for me will work for you. To this day, I use a digital kitchen scale, log my food into MyFitnessPal, and get 10,000 steps per day minimum. I still come to OH for support, and have made some really close friends (IRL) from here! Good luck on all of your journeys, and do what works for you!

100 lbs: http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/rny/5250347/Century-Club-i n-4-months-and-4-days-my-story/

200 lbs: http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/rny/5275149/Down-201-lbs-b efore-and-after-pic/

Goal: http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/rny/5278769/I-made-goal-An d-now-the-hard-part-begins/

Plastics: http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/plasticsurgery/5309071/X-p ost-Everything-I-wished-I-had-known-and-everything-I/

Left image: October 2013, 351 lbs, size 26/28

Right image: June 2015, 160 lbs, size 8 (post LBL and BL, hadn't had arm lift yet)

#truth 'nuff said :)

Thanks, Emipie!  And thanks for the cheers on MFP!  Makes me smile every time!

Em you have been such an inspiration to so many. To me also. You have done a great job. You travel a lot and have a pretty busy social life which can make life harder sometimes.

You look amazing. You should be really proud. 

Thanks, Susan!  I love watching your progress on here and you are kicking ass as well!!!

You have worked so hard Em, and it has been a genuine pleasure following your accomplishments, large and small. You are a great role model, and I hope all of the newer people reading this take every single word to heart. You described post WLS life perfectly.

I look forward to reading how fabulous you are doing at the end of year 3.

From your mouth to God's ears, Grim ;)  I hope you are recovering well from your surgiversary, and back to your carnivorous ways!  Thanks for the nice words, and I plan to be here a year from now BELOW 170!

Thanks, Audrey!  I guess misery does love company, because it's always reassuring to know that maintenance is hard for everyone.  I love seeing your progress and your hard work has paid off, in spades!  I can't believe two years has passed.  Time flies when you're having fun :)

Your posts are invaluable, vet or not.  A vet in the support group I attend is a nurse; he said he worries about me because he has witnessed major regain in the SSMO and because I have had complications.  I admit, complications have left me feeling more defeated than need be and I figure it's wise to treat my SSMO past as most likely to reoffend.  My worry, combined with his worry and posts like yours, motivate me to keep trudging along.  Thank you.

Thanks, Audrey!  I guess misery does love company, because it's always reassuring to know that maintenance is hard for everyone.  I love seeing your progress and your hard work has paid off, in spades!  I can't believe two years has passed.  Time flies when you're having fun :)