[not quite Barbie]

Hi. I'm just starting down this path and the one thing I can't seem to find is "what's it going to be like 10 years from now?". I'd like to hear from some people who've had this surgery a long time ago to know how well they have kept the weight off, or not.

I've had so much trouble with losing and gaining, and losing again and gaining again that I'm afraid that I'll regain even after this drastic a surgery.

Any old timers out there?

[MsVickie]

Not a old timer but I want to welcome you to the boards. Im Vickie and im from Virginia also. Im glad your here and stick around. Its a great place to be and share.

[DocSanae]

Welcome to the board, thank you for joining us.
Please pull up a chair, settle in, I hope you'll find lots of useful info here.

Long term result is going to DEPEND ON YOU COMPLETELY--whether you can stick to The Pouch Rules or not. Understand the Myths of Weight Loss Surgery or not.
You need to understand that your small pouch itself will not work in letting you keep your weight off once you get off what you need, but that you have to work with your pouch once you get to goal, to stay there. Your pouch by itself isn't going to maintain the weight, that is your job. The pouch is only a tool.

Quite honestly, the majority of members on this board are fairly new at this. Two or so years at most, and those the longest out at around 5 years or so. The only person who is 10 years out is CraigT, the host of this site, whose 10th Surgiversary is coming up this May. He's lost something like 190 lb or so, and have kept it successfully off, with seasonal ups and downs of around 7 lb or so. The key to success is staying within the support network to help you keep on track, going to your annual surgeon's check up, and keeping to the Pouch Rules, reinventing your life into a healthy life style and healthy relationship with food.

BreeChick's thread should give you an insight on how to live and deal with your post op life as she is 5 years out, successful, but with lots of ups and downs post op.
Another member whose journey that you may find informative is dm514.

CraigT's own insight on it all is in his article, The Journey is the Destination.

((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))) May this help in your search and research, may your journey go well.

[fr1endly2]

JUST wanted to jump in and say "HI"
and welcome you to the board.
I am only 2 years out and still happy
i had the surgery.

I know you want more but thats all i can offer.
HUGS
look forward to getting to know you thru your posts.