When...

What made you settle on 5 years? why not 3 or 6? Just curious. Darlene

Morbid obesity is a disease and WLS was my "cure." Similar to cancer, the "cure' might not last forever. I use the 5 year mark, as it was the mark given to my mother, when she survived colon cancer. If she remained cancer free for 5 years, they considered her "cured". My mother was cured and that was why I picked 5 years as my date of "survival/cured" for my morbid obesity. Karen G

Hi Tek, In my experience, when I began to move on from WLS is when I began to have difficulty. I didn't take care of myself as a had since surgery. Behaviors that caused me to be MO creeped back into my patterns. I began skipping workouts, nibbling here and there...basically what my "normal" non-WLS friends were doing. In the last year, I've gained 20lbs from where I want to be. I'm almost 4 years out and I'm trying to reconnect with my former WLS mentality. So just as you are thinking of moving on, I'm finding that moving on may not be all it's cracked up to be. The prodigal daughter returns. Best luck, Elesha

I have asked myself the same question throughout the years. I know that I am different today than I was 5+ years ago because of my WLS. I also know that my success only began with WLS...and it ends with me. I think what keeps me coming back to the OH website is the education I get from others, whether it is factual or something I learn about myself. I have kind of cooled off the site lately, mostly due to a very busy professional life and a whirwind personal life. I find it easier and easier to stay away...but enjoy occasional visit. Karen