I need to hear success stories

I had my RNY gastric bypass surgery September 21, 2006. I have lost 120 pounds and have kept it off. I just spent 5 days in the hospital after a surgeon repaired a perforated ulcer. I came home and wanted to do some research about this on the internet. Well, bad idea. I came across a lot of people who were fine for 2 or 3 years after surgery and are now having a ton of complications. I know this was the best decision I made for myself. I feel like what I went through this last week was still worth it for how good I feel now. I just wanted to hear from some other people who are 5 or more years out and who are doing great like I have been doing up untill now. Thanks.

I'll be three years out in July this year so I'm alittle ahead of you. I fully understand what you are looking for but you probably won't find it. While I have maintained my goal weight (within 5 pounds) since 11 months out, I don't use the word success because that implies I'm done. I'll never be "done". It's going to be a journey for the rest of my life. If, when I'm on my deathbed, I'm still within 5 pounds of my goal weight...then I'll speak the word "done." 

As for complications. I hope for the best but am ready for anything...You just get no guarantees. Who is to say that someone who had WLS is healthy but then gets breast cancer or other issues...It's a crap shoot.

Over 5 + years post op no complications at all none. I did bounce back a little to much but that was my own lzay fault. Now I hold to with in a 5 pound range.
Robin

15 years. 3 regains (lost 'em), 3 too thins (fixed those, too).

The nutritional issues are the only long term thing I can think of. We were launched on WAY more than ppl are today, but still, we have issues and I'd say that's the way it will be for another decade.

My husband is 14 yrs. 1 major regain, 2 losses, back to correct wt. We have to catch it pretty fast since we are so visible to the public.

Again, back to what they didn't know then (in the 90's) and what is still not known today, nutritionally.

I'm not sure what a success story really is. Until we die as thin healthy people, it's an ongoing process.
At this moment I am a success story at 3 years and 10 months out, I have maintained my loss. I've had a few pounds find their way back to me, but lost them very easily by changing what I eat. Less carbs, more protein and veggies.
This means I find myself eating as healthy as possible about 75-80% of the time, and blowing it the rest. On vacations and holidays, I eat whatever, I do enjoy the birthday cake or celebration foods. But I have to be careful the next few days to get back to RNY eating, again less carbs more protein.
I know many people with RNY at this point in my journey. I didn't know many before my surgery, and I don't know any having complications personally, except for low iron and not enough calcium and vitamin D. This can be worked on and hopefully corrected fpr them, as I increased my calcium amd D levels, got my iron into the middle normal range and reduced my PTH levels.
I hope things go well for you. I beleive the things I would have faced had I not had the surgery was complications of diabetes, including heart attack, stroke, amputations, and other illnesses.

Five years out here, went from 320 to 150, then up and down between 150-170 mostly with a huge jump to 210 during pregnancy.

I also wouldn't been too quick to label anybody a success until they have made it to old lady-hood intact.  People are given a "WLS Success Story!" label at two years post op, and then what?  It's a life-long journey, ups - downs - setbacks and successes.

I was amazingly successful at a year out - but time changes things - and I will be amazingly successful once again - even with setbacks.  :)

..and my husband, five years out also - has been up and down and in between. 

He:  370 - 165 - now about 190 - a few setbacks, but overall a good journey that will be life-long.

My mother in law:  400 lbs to 140 lbs - hugely successful weight loss, TONS of setbacks and complications.

Sister in law:  Pushing 400 lbs to 285? - no complications, but very difficult time with losing weight.

I'm 4 years out and depending on what you define as success then I could be called one.  I don't define my journey as success but a work in progress.   I haven't had any complications, just this past week for the first time my TBIC sat is low and ferritin is at the bottom of the lab range.  Only other thing I've had is low potassium which requires me to supplement daily.

My start weight was 260, low 119, currently at 138 (8 above my goal).  I'm working diligently with the mind games and emotional eating to get back to 130 or less.  I will say the gain at this point is tougher to lose than the 5 lb gain I had last January.

I am a WLS failure as far as getting to goal weight.  WLS has saved my life in other ways.  I am no longer a diabetic though if I eat 6 meals of protein and carb combination even though I am still obese.  I don't need any prescription meds except my femring.  My A1C is 5 to 6.  I have no complications....don't dump or feel full or vomit and can eat regular size meals.  I can't eat too much sugary food because of blood sugar fluctuation but my pouch tolerates it without a problem.  I have completed a triathlon and swim and bike regularly.  Lower body injuries make walking and running difficult.  My eyesight is returning.  My neuropathy is getting better.  So I am a failure at losing weight but yet medically a success.  I haven't given up regular dieting though.  Maybe someday I will make my goal weight.  In the mean time I always say diabetics should run not walk for WLS.  Daisy