is there a magic number?

Of years one gets to where you are far enough out that all the training becomes the norm and you still work it but your new habits are imbedded? Tracy had mentioned that its common at 3 years gain and carbs sneak back? I know its lifelong but when can you trust and rely on your training? Thanks in advance!

Linda... I think for most of us it is never embedded...Nothing really is. That is the reason that even after WLS you must be diligent to maintain and fix problems as soon as they start, so they don't get out of hand.  We KNOW what we have to do...we really do...Immediately. But like any other temptation and human flaw...we are not immune to certain cir****tances...no matter how much we think we know what we are doing.  We have to roll with the changes and find new ways to control and use our "tool" ...The basic instructions are there immediately.  But like a message written on a wall...it fades...or is painted over or the wall crumbles.  It's just not as simple as something you just get used to...There is a relationship here between your brain and your pouch and they have TOTALLY different ideas of what they want!  My pouch says...feed me..My brain says "hey, Anita, over there, see that creamy pink think with sprinkles and a chocolate cherry on top...go get it NOW!"  Temptation and emotions can totally destroy control...I think KNOWING that ....and knowing that it really never gets embedded and burned in my brain...the easier it will be to succeed.  We are all different though. I am so certain there is someone out there who adjusted and it's been nothing but easy for them. My guy friend is like that. He's five years out and you'd never have a clue he was ever fat or had any surgery. He takes no vitamins or supplements...We went out to dinner the other night and I asked him if his labs were good and he said "perfect" , he just got them back.  He told me I eat the healthiest of anyone he knows and that I should stop worrying...but I can't help being afraid. He says just eat healthy and it falls into place. That is what I was doing til I can here and learned that I was not really feeling as good as I could. My ouch was really grumpy and I had bouts of gas and was having horrible unsettling cravings and hunger pangs...So you see, I guess even healthy eaters still have set backs and still give into temptations.  Some of us will have to work a lot harder to maintain...And some will breeze thru the rest of their life with no troubles.  Well.... That's just my take on it.   Hugs

Again thank you... you are so amazing, putting into words what Im trying to get from brain to mouth! Its funny... Im fine.. Im between 120 and 125 ( 123 )  yet I have all this worry. Must be a phase! I feel like a balloon on a long string in a wind storm!!!! Maybe its just sick O winter and its time to get some sun and warm. Winter blah's!!   Lets run off to the Virgin Islands!  Although Im sure I wouldnt be allowed in!  LOL Soooooooooooooooooo Thanks again!  Im gonna PM ya... Hugs

I think some of it is embedded. I do my protein & vites like I breathe. Recently, I was traveling and while I'd allowed extra days of vites, we got stuck in snow, could not get over the pass and tho I had some Fed Ex'd to us, I had one day with no vites.

I eat when I take vites, take vites when I eat. No vites to take, no food. O. M. G. I had NO Idea when I was sposta eat. No vites to keep me on track. I could do the protein & drink the water like I do, but without lil packets of vites there to remind me, I was soooooo confused!

About the bad habits? I had an affair with fudge. One bite, which is why I refer to it as the gateway drug. It cost med 13# and 2 yrs of wrestling and battling before I finally was able to break off the affair. I was 10 yrs out. COME ON. Like I didn't learn with my affair at 5 yrs? Another with fruit at 8 yrs?

So, yes, some of it is embedded, some of it is periodically sabotaged by stupidity. That little voice that says, it's ok, you weigh 108 today, ONE piece of fudge won't hurt. Riiiiight

Hi Linda!!!! I believe it will be lifelong too. But, I do have to say that in the research studies (info I received from my surgeon) they say that if you can maintain successfully, within a reasonable range, for the first 5yrs after surgery, then statisically you will be successful for life. So, at the last support group meeting when I was expressing my "concerns" about  possibly regaining weight Dr. A says, so you're 3yrs out, you only have 2 more years to go, LOL!!! He is so funny~truly such a great sense of humor and quite a wonderful bedside manner!!!!! He's the best!!!!!!

A really wise woman told me early on : We had stomach surgery, we didn't have brain surgery.