I'm afraid of failure to but the biggest goal I have is to get prego, so if I succeed with that goal i will consider the surgery a success.

We are ALL afraid of failure. That's what keeps most of us on the straight and narrow. I know several people who have had the surgery and have gained their weight back and then some.

I also know people that are 7, 8, and 9 years out that are at the same weight they were at at goal. These people are my role models.

My daughter had her surgery in January 2010. She's almost 3 years out and has lost 172 lbs. She looks AWESOME! We live 900 miles apart but we talk every day and share tips daily.

I'm down 193 lbs and I'll be 9 months out on 12/20. It's getting more difficult to get those last few pounds off now but I walk every single day (between 4-9 miles) I joined a gym and go to the gym 4 days a week. I no longer think about food day in and day out.

My surgeon and PCP both told me that the people that are successful are the ones that don't rely 100% on the surgery to do the work. The ones that make significant lifestyle changes are the ones that are successful and usually keep the weight off.

I'm damned and determined that I'm going to be one of the ones that keeps the weight off.

It really is up to us whether we want to fail or whether we want to succeed!

Good luck!!

Laurie

They say 20% of WLS patients gain the weight back. That means 80% do NOT. Let's all help each other to be part of that 80%.

it all depends on YOU...how strong are you metally? can you make the change and STICK TO IT? I waited 3 years to do this...I had to get serious in my mind...work throught all the negative things in my life, the people that surronded me were always talking negative..but I knew I was stronger then those whiners in my life...needless to say, they are NO LONGER welcome in my world...you might need to weed out some of those folks with the failure attitude. just my thought :)

good luck

I have seen that thought in my life a lot. I am determined to use this as the tool it is and plan on being part of the 80% that keep the weight off. I mean right now I can barely move but as the pounds are going away my ability is getting better and better. I can't wait until the day that my weight is no longer holding me back. I think this surgery is a tool to help you get the weight off but what you do with that tool like learning new ways to eat, exercise, etc is what is going to make the difference.

I have several friends who have had WLS from 2 years ago to 20 years ago. ALL have kept the weight off. I think it's a matter of your own will power. Are you willing to change your habits to live healthier? We're all going to slip, there will be bad days but if you commit to a new lifestyle ~ that's what is important.

Personally, as the pounds start to fall off I find myself with more energy, it's easier to walk, less pain in my knee and my clothes feel better. That feeling keeps me going. I'm new to my surgery -- 10/5/12 but I know this is a committment for life ...

I want to be in that 80% too! I think I may keep a picture of my pre-surgery self to remind me what can happen if I get complacent.

Hi.
I have also had those same concerns and it is always in the back of my mind about gaining my weight back. I have to remind myself that the surgery is not a CURE it is just a TOOL to help me. If I eat bad and stop exercising I will gain back the weight. I have a long journey ahead of me but I'm determined not to go back to my old ways. I want to live a long healthy life. Good luck.

It isn't a magic wand WLS. It's a tool to help loose and keep the weight off. It all depends on the person really. My surgeon told me if you don't exercise and follow the program with protein, vitamins and 80 oz of water daily it won't work. It is a lifestyle change. I am determined to be in the 80 % that keep the weight off. I have worked too hard so far to slip into bad habits. As I get closer to my goal the weight doesn't come off as fast or weekly but I am determined to meet my surgeons goal of 155, I am 9 pounds away and my person goal of 130-140. I hope to be at 150 or less by New Years Day.

when this weight comes off with this surgery and what we go through i will never ever go back... im doing this to change my life style period.... and to get back to my old self that i know im capable of doing with this tool i will be praying everyday for god to guide me good luck

The surgery is a tool. In order to keep the weight off for a lifetime, we have to do the head-work/emotional work to change how we "use" food.

I think all of us fear gaining the weight back....just as most of us worried the surgery wouldn't "work" for us.

I am coming up on my 3 year surgiversary and am still at goal. I monitor my weight every day. I exercise regularly. I don't "do" sugar or white carbs (rice, pasta, bread) and I still live by the rules that got me to goal in the first place. I am also going to therapy to deal with the emotional issues that come with losing 175 lbs (as well as the emotional issues that led me to get super-morbidly obese to begin with).

What I do know is this tool has worked for me. I used to weigh over 300 lbs, was on a CPAP, couldn't walk from the parking lot to a store without breaking into a sweat, and was in constant pain. Now, I can hike mountains, dance all night, be picked up by my husband, wear cute clothes, and enjoy life. I will not be Algernon. I will not go back to being trapped in my super-morbidly obese body. That's why I stay close to my support groups and am working through my crap. The journey isn't easy...but it is worth it.

JJ