7 years!! WOW!!!

No problem, I don't mind.  I do eat breakfast, lunch and dinner.  WIll munch on sunflower seeds during the day.  Breakfast will consist of 1 egg and maybe a sausage link.  Lunch is usually something left over or I will eat a sandwich.  Dinner will consist of meat, little potato, maybe a salad.  So you see, its just a regular menu, just smaller amounts.  I also use a smaller plate for all meals.  My lunch today was 1/2 hamburger patty with cheese, no bun  and about 5 chips.

If you need anything else, please ask.  This is what the place is for!

I really appreciate you answering!  I'm almost 4 years out and it excites me that you are at 7 years.  Besides a couple people on the LW site I don't know anyone who has kept most of their weight off. All of my friends who have had WLS have gained a considerable amount back.  I had lost 97 but I have settled at around 85.  I feel healthy at this weight.  118 and size 4.

I use a small plate too and eat 3 mini meals.  I do drink at least 3 protein drinks a day. 1 for breakfast (never been a breakfast eater) 1 in the afternoon and 1 in the evening.  I enjoy them and they are low calorie and low carb.  If it weren't for them I would probably never drink any fluids.  I rarely have potatoes (eat 1/2 of DH's baked potato skin sometimes) only eat bread a few times a week, 1/2 cup pasta a couple times a month, and  never rice.  My weakness is sweets and I'm thankful I still dump.

I also have several small snacks during the day like beef jerky, 1 pizza chip (LW recipe..all protein), sometimes a couple of saltines with peanut butter, 1/4 cup of nuts, etc.  At night I usually have a 100 calorie bag of popcorn.

I also don't exercise other than a little walking when I need to stretch at work.

I'm super excited you posted!

Well thank you Roz.  That was sweet of you to say!  Now I have a question or 2 for you.  You say you drink 3 protein drinks/day.  Do you make them with water or milk?  I do have a container of powder and should probably just use it up.  I used to use milk in the blender.  Don't you drink water throughout the day or is it just the drinks?

I think you have done fantastic.  You are so tiny!!!

Thanks!!  I feel tiny.... and this journey hasn't really been much of a struggle for me. There are days that I crave sweets but not days and days that turn into weeks.

I make mine with water.  Milk and I don't agree.  It took me a long time to find something I liked.  The one I drink in the morning for breakfast is called  Mint Cookie but the other 2 or 3 I drink are called Lemon Tea and they are more like a crystal lite.  I usually drink them plain but sometimes I add some crystal lite flavoring.
I really don't drink much more than those.  I ignore that part when I post on M&M.......  Before WLS I rarely drank anything.  It would take me a week to drink a 16 oz. Diet Pepsi so what I drink now is a big improvement.  

I'm curious.  Why do you believe your friends who had WLS regain a significant amount back?  Did they totally stop following their plan, is it metabolism or did they make big life changes?  This thread has been very beneficial.  I'm a sweet person too, but I don't and never have dumped.  That would have been a great motivator for me, and I was hoping I would be a dumper.  I did not test it until I was 1 year post op, and it was during the Holidays.

 I was thinking about this last night. I have 2 friends that are sisters who are very tall who still look great. They have gained weight but i think their height helps them. The thinnest one surprises me how much she can eat. She does dump but it doesn't stop her. I think the one sister pushes the other one and keeps her somewhat accountable.

I don't think the other women I know have not made life changes. Their kids are in a lot of activities and I think they eat a lot of fast food on the run.

My sister in law has gain most of her weight back and her Heath is terrible. Her surgery was before mine or I could have helped her. She had a local surgeon who either didn't give her any guidance or she didnt understand. She thought she could come home and eat candy bars. She thought dumping was a health issue and started going from doctor to doctor. I look back now at all she went through and it is so sad. 

Thank you for the reply.  That is such a sad story.  If she was not fully educated and did not understand dumping, it is understandable she would have sought out help..and I'm sure, back then, most doctors did not have a clue unless they were familiar with RNY.

The amount I can eat is the one thing I keep front and center.  I never want to come close to pre-surgery amounts.  I had a bowel obstruction in May.  Prior to that I had terrific restriction.  Since then I can tell it has been affected.  While in the hospital one of the surgeons mentioned I was very dilated - I guess due to the back up.  She said it is obvious by my size  I do not overeat.  That really bothered me.  I told her that concerned me, and she said I now have to watch what amount I eat like normal people.  As I thought about it the comment frustrated me because I am not normal.  I have a funnel.  Anyway I do have restriction and try not to worry about any changes that may have occurred  in May. 

Like you do..I need to return to using small plates.

Congratulations on 7 years Sue!!  Great job.  It is so wonderful to hear from people further out that are maintaining.

Here's to another great 7 years for you!!

Linda

Thank you Linda!

Congratulations!