Question:
Anyone know of someone who had wls, lost 100+ #'s

and kept it off for over 5 yreas?    — Aloha D. (posted on June 28, 2001)

June 28, 2001
Yes Michelle Curran of Pallyup (SP?) WA had surgery in either 94 or 95 and has kept it off. You can go to the find peers and type in her last name to get to her profile. She is the vitalady that everyone talks about on this site. I just ordered some samples from her, as my surgery date is quickly approaching YEA!! (7/23) Hope that helps, it is the only name I could pull from this tired old brain tonite but I know there are others on this site that have done the same.
   — Helen C.

June 28, 2001
My friend Priscilla, who is not registered with this site unfortunately, is eight years post op. She had the same surgery and surgeon that I did and she's lost 260 lbs. while I've lost 160. Priscilla helped me really make up my mind to have the surgery. One look at her in a size 6 mini skirt was all I needed to go for it. I am 2 1/2 years post op and am looking forward to being many years post op and still many pounds lighter than I started (at 314 lbs.) in the future.
   — Mavis C.

June 28, 2001
You know, I'll bet there a lot of people out there but they don't even check out this site because they are too busy with their skinny lives! It seems like a lot of people post on here until they are about 6 mos post op and then they disappear! I wonder if they are so happy they just go on and never look back to help out others on this site. I am very grateful for the long term post op posters that continue to help others on this site. Thank you very much and God bless you. I also wonder why some never update their profiles. It is really important to help others by supplying this information and it encourages so many when someone has a great success story. And thanks to the many people who honestly share the not-so-wonderful stories. We are all in this together and the support is so amazing at times. If you are reading this and having updated your profile in 6 mos, please do so even if it is just a line or two. You never know whose life you could be affecting in a positive way!
   — Marilyn C.

June 29, 2001
I'm one of the "guilty" ones. I'm three years post-op and I lost over 100lbs. This is a terrific place for pre and short term postop folks. But, as time goes on, wls becomes less and less of in issue in our lives. How to eat...what to eat...exersizing.... it all becomes second nature and as our health and social lives improve, we get on with the business of living. Tbat *is* why most of us had the surgery. I check in periodically; but, I envision that the time will come when I no longer think of myself as a wls patient. I think that's a good thing! This surgery is safe and effective and as folks "drop out", many others will replace them.
   — [Anonymous]

June 29, 2001
I still feel as if I have a fatal disease,morbid obesity. I am in remission now, since 1994. I stay with others like myself, so that I can maybe help, tell how I climbed over that speed bump AND learn from others, as well. My disease is only held in abeyance mechanically, helped along by some tricks I've learned over the years. In all honesty, while I am very busy, I am afraid of my disease and I think it critical to NEVER forget that I am not "quite" normal, even though I can "pass". When people ask how I can keep on doing what I do, taking all the protein & all those vites, it's so simple. I have a disease that would like to kill me. I feel as if I cannot turn my back on it. Besides, Our Kind are some of the nicest people on earth.
   — vitalady