3 year surgiversary!

OMG! Its been 3 years today. I feel fantastic! I have lost 146 pounds and put back on about 7. But.. I am not beating myself up about it. My surgeon told me to expect some regain. I have had NO complications at all. Am off all meds for blood pressure. Yes.. I eat more now than when I first came home and can tolerate almost anything, some things still give me the dumping feeling. Yes.. some sugar has crossed these lips, even when I said it would NEVER. I am human and its hard... But.... I can do the one thing I hoped for... I can crawl on the floor and play with my grandbabies. Thank you all for always being here and answering all my silly questions. I feel like this surgery changed me and saved me all at the same time. Rhonda 312 day of surgery and now 173 @ 5'9" tall

Question: Do you still follow the rules? Strictly? Do you know how much protein you get a day and how much water? Are you keeping track or how do you go through the day?  I'm 18 months out and looking for that spot where I can relax.

I try and watch my protein, I still do protein first and then veggies or carbs. I am fanatical about my water intake, it is a must. I know I eat more calories than most, but it works for me. I have gained a few pounds, but am not beating myself up about it, I am a long ways from 312 lbs and I feel good.As for a spot where you can relax, I don't know if we ever find that. Rhonda

More calories than most? Hmm. I'm consuming between 1500 and 2200 a day fluctuation between 3 times a month at 1500 and about two times a month over 2000. I'm actually trying to gain some weight because I've been under goal since 11 months out. I'm 18 months now. That's sort of why I ask. Can I ask how many calories you take in on average?  I see so many posts from post-ops who are way out (over 3 years) where they are frantic cuz they've gained all sorts of weight, I'm afraid to let go too much. You don't obviously obsess over how much you eat each day but do follow the rules. How about drinking with your meals?  Sorry for all the questions.  Dawn

I probably average 2500 calories a day, but I also have a very strenuous job. Lots of lifting and pulling every day, and I think that helps with burning calories. I never drink with meals, that was hard at first, but now it doesn't even bother me. Don't get me wrong, I have always wanted to  be sitting at about 155 lbs, but it just never happened. My dr. said for me to try and stay in the 168 to 180 lb range. I suppose if I had ps maybe I would have achieved the 155lb mark, but its just not in the cards since ins won't cover it. I promised myself that when I had this surgery that I would stop obsessing over my weight, (there will always be that fat girl in here). I just wanted to feel better and get my health in check. I am still over weight on the BMI chart, but I can live with it. Rhonda

Thank you so much! I'm underweight now but I think I'm getting my head around maybe being relaxed enough to let myself gain a couple of pounds...If that doesn't send me to a rubber room, I'll be okay. Thanks so much for your input.