Its been 3 years, y’all.

I’m a 5’2” female and was 235 lbs & 45 yrs old at the start of the 2 wk liquid diet.
Didn’t lose any weight prior.  I was on high cholesterol and blood pressure meds, diagnosed with fatty liver, pre-diabetic, peed every 20-30 mins, and snored like a freight train (so said Mr.)

Day of sleeve surgery: 223.2 lbs

No recovery issues, but I became dumper on sugar (still am).  I got off my meds, eliminated liver and diabetic diagnoses within a month.  I can hold my pee like a superhero (including not having to go once during a 9 hr flight pre-covid!), and I sleep so silently that Mr. admitted to checking on me during the night in the beginning to check if I was even alive.

I ate VERY little during weight loss phase compared to most, but it worked for ME…I didn’t suffer any medical/nutritional issues nor any angst throughout.

I tracked everything I ate/drank, weighed myself every morning and took my measurements every Wednesday (I STILL track and weigh daily - its just habit now -, but no longer take my measurements regularly)

Reached goal of 127 lbs 7 months after surgery.  I had zero stalls.

I had a tummy tuck, arm lift and breast lift at 14 months post op.

Lowest weight: 109 lbs (this was a month or so after plastics, but quickly gained back to 115-ish)

I’ve basically been 115-ish +/- 5 lbs since a couple months into maintenance.

Weight this morning: 116.0 lbs even.

Happy place is below 120 and/or that my clothes still fit, LOL.

These days I exercise semi-regularly, running minimum 5km 2-3 times a week supplemented with the occasional 20-30 min strength training sessions at home (I continue to hate strength training exercises but consider it a necessary evil), and various other for-fun cardio activities. Part of me wanted to get back to higher exercise levels so I can get the “fitter” look I had back then, but I long ago reconciled myself with the fact that I don’t want it THAT badly.  Maybe someday I may change my mind, but I’m cool with it for now.

I average 1800-2000 cals a day.  I drink alcohol and carbonated water on the regular, use straws, chew gum, drink coffee, and eat popcorn, fried foods and carbs.  I love desserts.  At 3 years out, my restriction is still in effect and could probably eat about 1-1.5 cups of food in volume at one sitting before I need to tap out: some things I can eat more of (salads) than others (dense protein & fluffy bread).  I will barf if I eat too much or too fast.

I have energy for days, and am more than satisfied with how I look and feel.  Life is good.

Had my 3 year follow up last week and I continue to be the picture of health, and my surgeon asked again if I wanted to be on a poster.  Ummmm, no thanks.

Regrets? ABSOLUTELY ZERO.  Well, except maybe that I didn’t get a v-shaped tummy tuck incision vs the straight line one that I got.  Just means that I can’t wear higher cut bikini bottoms without my scar showing (see the last pic in the collage below).  But I mean, I’m just nit-picking at this point.

This forum has been a constant in my life for the past 3 years, and I’ve made some great connections and some actual REAL friends.  Its really nice to engage with others who know what the eff you are talking about, even if its just about food porn and clothes sometimes, lol.

Hugs and Congrats to those who made it to the other side with me, and Hugs and Good Luck to those on their way.