Sassygirl

DragonSingapore: Congratulations on getting the band. It’s is the best thing I have done for myself. I was banded with a BMI of 40 about 1 ½ ago. I have lost 60 pounds doing just what you described. Although I was not much into exercise before the band, I started as soon as I could after banding and have not stopped. I don’t think I love it quite as much as you, but at least I don’t hate it. I just want to be healthier overall, not just thin, and exercise is a major part of that. When I got the band, I was at the point where I could not diet, think about food (re: obsess about food) for another day, another minute, another second. I have done just what you want to do. I eat whatever I want just in smaller amounts. I too could eat a whole pizza in the past and am now satisfied with one or two pieces; truly, satisfied. I can eat potato chips, bread, Pasta, fast food, rice, whatever. The only thing I seem to really have a problem with is the bread they serve at restaurants, I seem to get stuck on that more often than not, but probably because I am not paying attention and socializing and forget to chew, chew, chew so I don’t even attempt it anymore (no big loss there). But also keep in mind that everyone’s experience is different. I have a friend with the band whose has trouble eating bread, pasta, etc., but she chooses to keep her band pretty tight. I eat a basically healthy diet and do splurge on occasion (pizza, burgers, potato chips, candy, etc.), but like a normal person. I don’t do it everyday, maybe once a week and this seems to be fine. I like wine with dinner and never gave that up. I still would like to lose 10 more pounds, so at this point I am watching what I eat a little more as the last 10 pounds are always the hardest to lose. However, I am not going to be obsessive about it. If I don’t lose another pound, I am still ecstatic about the band. In the past I could always lose weight by myself, but could never keep it off and with the band I know I will have success. Yes, my weight loss was slow compared to most and I would sometimes get discouraged, but then I would have to remind myself that I am not dieting, eating basically whatever I want and slowing losing – what a miracle. So to answer your question, you should have no problem losing 50 pounds in 2 years doing just what you describe. Lori