Looking to connect with patients 5+ years post op

Hi there,

My name is Dawn and I had Roux-en-Y surgery in Atlanta on Jan 3, 2006. I read somewhere that if someone was going to backslide, it would be around year 5. I am very interested in stories and experiences of anyone 5 or more years post op whether they continue to maintain or whether they find themselves having difficulty. Please feel free to contact me via personal message.

Hi Dawn,

 

7 Years ago I had RNY..... still maintaining 100 lb. weight loss. I remember with gratitude each and every day for the new life I've been given and don't forget where I came from. Today I walk each day without fail at 6:00 a.m. NO Matter What! I also watch what I eat, take my vitamins daily and drink the water daily like I did when I was first out. I have a 5-pound weight variance and when I see my weight closer to the top I go back and drink protein shakes again supplementing them for a meal. Then when my weight drops I allow myself to indulge ever so slightly. It's all good and I know the dangers of letting it go even 5 pounds.

 

First I need to apologize for the delay. I honestly didn't think I would get any replies and so hadn't checked back. Congrats on your success and commitment. I would like to hear more about your story such as how you gained the weight initially, at what age, what brought you to the decision to have the surgery etc.

IMO- it is year 3+ 

I am 5 years post op. Gaining is so easy - losing - very difficult, but possible. It is all hard work. 

Thank you for your reply. What do you find to be the biggest challenges and what do you do to overcome those?

Hi Dawn I  am 8 1/2  years  out  RNY ... Lost  over  200 lbs and  have maintained my  goal  weight  the  whole time .. It  is  all  about  life  style  change something  I  have  to  make  sure  I  live  daily .. 

200 pounds. That is amazing! What do you think are the best and worst parts of the experience?

I had lost 160 pounds over 5 years ago and have kept it off the entire time. I changed my entire life and exercise is a huge part of it. I don't weigh myself anymore, but judge on how my clothes fit.

I agree with the clothes part. I still weigh myself, but I don't live and die by the scale. I lift very hard at the gym so I know that I can gain 5 pounds while losing several inches. That seems to be one of the most difficult concepts to make people understand. That and the idea that you actually have to eat to lose weight, meaning that long term starvation is not the answer.

Hi my name is Kim and I had the VSG 5 years ago today.  It's hard to believe that is has already been 5 years.  I have done pretty good.  I lost 80 lbs and have gained about 20 back.  I am working on getting the twenty back off but it has been a challenge.  I did well until I lost my son a year and a half ago.  I was maintaining +/- 5 lbs until he passed suddenly.  After that I think depression set in and I found myself eating to comfort myself.  But all is not lost.  I am back on track and trying to undo the damage before it gets out of control.  I have seen a lot of people regain all of their weight and I am terrified of it happening to me.