Looking for Gastric Sleeve Veterans (5+ years post op) :)

Just remember, not everyone has the slimes or the foamies with the same foods. Nobody has the same type of recovery, adventure, aversion, reaction as someone else.

I'm 4 years, 11 months and about 2 days away from my 5th anniversary. Cannot believe it. In that first year, I lost 118 lbs. Just like the above poster said, pay attention to the Honeymoon Period. It's called that for a very good reason. I know that when we decide to make the decision to go under the knife, we've had it, we're at the ends of our ropes. This IS definitely the fastest way you have ever experienced losing weight. It's almost as hard keeping it off AFTER surgery as it was in the fat days. Having a tool that screams at you when you overdo is exactly what I needed. It's certainly not a deal breaker in my opinion. I like having that little extra ooomph to help me remain on track--because obviously I could not achieve that by myself. Ever. It's tough enough losing 10lbs, let alone 100. I absolutely could have never done this without surgery. And the time goes soooo quickly, why wait another year to change your life??? Although it seems to drag after surgery a little. I'm not kidding. Those 7-10 day stalls will seem like an eternity, but at least you KNOW to expect them and that your surgery hasn't singled you out; everyone has them. And everyone gets over them. At least in the first year.

2nd year was pretty easy too. I've been with my husband now 3 years and I won't blame it all on him--I am an adult and I am responsible for my own choices--but it it much harder to live with someone who has no boundaries. He was also about 25 lbs less when we got together. Mmmmm. Perfect fat match?? I'm thinking so! LOL. Anyway, this surgery is exactly what you make it be. If you're going to continually make bad food choices (and we all know they get boring) you will undoubtably regain some lbs.

I'd go as far in saying that if you had surgery, lost the weight and then continued to have milkshakes, bread, candy, cakes, pasta, rice etc (even when you can't eat much at a sitting) you WILL be sliding all that crap into your system and back onto your hips. It's just as simple as that. If you don't make lean protein choices FIRST and then vegetables and fruits (in that order) IF you have room, you will regain.

I sure don't want to push the envelope further than I already have regaining 20lbs.

We live in a world that celebrates every single accomplishment with food: birthday, anniversary, wedding, funeral, graduation, EVERYTHING. This is your gigantic chance to change that part of your life. It doesn't mean you have to distance yourself from celebration, it just means you have to work a little harder at staying away from that which is cruel to you. Would you hang out with a person who constantly was mean and put you down all the time?

Treat food like that. Only eat what you have to to live.

I'm back on the wagon!!

Cheers, hugs, kudos to you for considering a wonderful surgery.

Lisa J OKC

Lisa, 

Do you have any complications after almost 5 years? Low iron, acid reflux, or intestinal problems? 

Hi there

I am 5 years post op. I have not had any major complications. I have maintained my weight with a small gain of 15 lbs during menopause. I joined weigh****chers and lost tge weight. I am still on weigh****chers to stay on point.

Hi,

My name is Vicki.

I'm 8 years out of vsg surgery.