taking a poll

1. yes, I have been over weight all my life.
2. My GBP RNY was Dec.1, 2004... so it's been about 4 1/2 years, I went from 284 to 133... Now, I'm 156... never made it to my goal of 128 lbs , I'm short about 5'2".... You know, I am just devastated over my 25 lb gain, just sick over it..... I am reaching out for help, I must say this GRAD board is one of my most blessed support I have.

I was overweight all of my life. There was a time in my life that I lost a little weight and was more of a normal weight, but it only lasted about 2 years and then I gained it all back again when I got pregnant. I am 3 years post op and I go up and down on the scales anywhere from 148-156. I would have liked to get down to 135, but I just cant seem to get there. I have to constantly watch what I eat because I do not dump. I have to force myself to work out because I know that in order for me to maintain my weight loss I have to keep active. It is a strugle for me, but I know that I do not want to ever gain back the weight that I worked so hard to take off. 

I have been above the average weight since I was 6 years old.
I am over 3 years out and not struggling. I am having some bloating and weight gain, I think it's water weight, but working on it to discover what it is.

I did not become overweight until I was 38 years old.  I am 21/2 years out, and so far not much problem maintaining.

It's been interesting reading what everyone wrote:

1)  I was always the "big one" from age 5 on.  

2)  I'm 4 years out and just now starting to have issues with weight gain.  I attribute some to no longer smoking and peri-menapausal.  Previously after WLS when I'd gain a couple of lbs it was easy to make good choices 1-2 days and lose it; not happening right now.  I'm fearful but fighting it and hope with summer and more activity I'll get these 10 lbs off.

I was normal size until I had first child at 21. Gained steadily from there.
I have not struggled to maintain although I did have a baby last year and do have 15 lbs to lose still. It comes off fairly easily when I focus on watching my calories but I am lazy.
As a pp mentioned, I have food issues and am a food addict. Luckily I have taught myself how to eat correctly.

1) Yes, overweight all my life.  A couple of times lost significant weight, but it soon came back.

2)  I'm 5 years post op now, and struggling.  Old habits and cravings are back.  I lost just over 100 lbs, and have gained back 30.  I'm back to trying all of the things that didn't work before RNY.   It seemed that there was a switch that was turned off after surgery - I wasn't hungry, didn't think about food.  It was heaven.  Now the old cravings and desires to eat are back.  I wish I could figure out what turned that switch off before, so I could turn it off again.  Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr