laurak712

I tried to post yesterday but don't see my comments. Oh well. My story is that I'm now 6 years out as of Jan 9. I don't struggle with weight at all. I started at around 240 and am now 136/137 at 5'7. I wear a size 4 with no changes. I have even been through menopause during this last few years with no weight gain. I don't kill myself with exercise but I do lift weights and have for 20 years and do light cardio. It's just not necessary to do more to maintain. Also, I eat a plant based diet so the majority of my intake is carbs. I've also had 2 rounds of plastics. The first one was 4 1/2 years ago and the second a year later. I just think this is where my body wants to be. I do suffer from autoimmune arthritis and osteoarthritis and need knee replacements but I'm not ready for that yet. I'm actually afraid I'll lose more weight with a big surgery. Laura

I am now 5 1/2 years out and still at my original goal of 135 at 5'7. I've gone through menopause in the last 2 years and no change in weight. I have exercised religiously for many many years now and watch what I eat like a hawk. That's truly what it takes. So in January I'll be 6 years out and no doubt still rocking my size 4 jeans! Laura

Laura Do u remember what u did 1-2 weeks post op with liquid purée phase?!? Gosh that's a long time ago, lol. I did 2 Protein shakes a day and I think I had very watered down cream of wheat, broths, Jello. By 2 weeks I was cleared for scrambled eggs and that was a life saver. I've never had any bad reactions to any food so I may have been lucky. I kept on the shakes for a couple of years. And I tried em all, lol. Oh and applesauce in the beginning.

So the people who have stuck w the diet. What are there main strengths? Food? I'm 7 days out and gag at the no sugar-fake sugar food. Any advice?!!?? As I said, with the exception of the male in our group, all of the ladies have gained some weight back except me. What are my strengths? Well I don't eat any standard american diet type of foods. No burgers, fries, chips, cakes, fast food, etc. I eat minimally processed foods, mostly plant based, not much added fat, heavy on the fruit and veggies. I also exercise regularly and have for 25 years so I have a lean muscular body. And I eat none of the no sugar fake food.

Hi everyone. I'm now over 5 years out and I have plenty of sleeved friends who HAVE gained weight. Some, significantly, others not too much. Do not think sleevers don't gain weight, because they can and do. Of my group of friends (10 or so), 2 did not have much success at all. And what I mean is they lost about 50lbs and started regaining and are still obese today. One of those 2 is further out than me and the other is 3 years out. As for the rest of the group, they have ALL gained weight to one degree or another with the exception of myself and a man. All the rest are women. And here's the difference. The man I'm referring to has an extremely active job and as for me, I still weigh and measure and log my food and exercise a lot. So there you have it. The minute my friends got back into the pleasure trap of the standard American diet, well you guessed it ...they gained. And, by the way, the one gal in our group that has an RNY, has remained successful as well and she's further out than me. But she's strict on her food. I'm just telling it like it is, the further out you get the easier it is to gain. And it happens to a lot of us. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but I want everyone to be prepared for a life long fight. A fight we now have a chance at winning! Be smart with your tool. Laura

It's called rose colored glasses. I'm 4 years and 3 months out now and still no regain. But it's a lot of work and dedication. I will always have to exercise several times a week and weigh and measure my food. Most people give up and start eating whatever they want. It's so common. I have several sleeved friends at various stages post op and they've all gained some except me. They simply quit watching their food intake. It happens, that's the bottom line. Laura

I wonder what their body composition is. I'm not just interested in being thin but having a low body fat percentage. I know plenty of people that weigh what I do that don't go to the gym and they are soft and mushy with unattractive bodies. Mine is hard and firm. That's what I'm after...not just a number on the scale. And I want good blood panels too. And food has everything to do with that, especially as we get older. Laura

Well I'm here to tell all of you that it IS possible not to gain weight back. I am a bit over 4 years out and haven't gained one single pound back! There is no secret to it folks, this is a lifetime diet or lifestyle...whatever you want to call it. And exercise is most important during maintenance. More important than during the losing phase in fact. I still weigh my food and exercise quite a bit. This is also what normal thin, fit people do too. I see them at the gym every day. They can't have all had WLS, lol. This is no miracle. But it is a second chance to get it right this time. Food choices and exercise....no miracle. We all know that, we just don't want it to be true...sadly it is.. Laura

Hi everyone! I have never posted on this board but have followed for a long time. I am 3 years out on the 12th of January and have not had any regain. I am 5'7 and weigh about 132 pounds. I still have a lot of restriction and am limited to no more than 3 ounces of solid protein and a few bites of veggies and/or starch. I still focus my diet around lean cuts of protein (chicken, beef, pork, fish), produce, eggs and dairy. I also still start most days with a protein shake. I exercise about 4 times a week (cardio and weight lifting). I eat about 1400 to 1500 calories a day and have treats occasionally. I am very conscious about what I eat because I've seen too many people regain from losing focus. After 2 years or so, I believe it's much easier to gain if you're not caeful. It is definitely possible to gain weight but it's also very possible to keep it off. It just takes determination.