ballooner

To the person wondering about the balloon. I had the gastric balloon for 6 months and lost 45 pounds. That is within the healthy weight loss guidelines of 1.5-2 pounds per week. I have maintained that weight since having the balloon removed over 8 months ago. Finally I am at my goal weight, after years of dieting with unsuccessful results. I can maintain the weight because I am now light enough to run without my knees hurting, and I look great in all the new clothes I bought. Every day I need to remind myself of good eating habits. I was brought up with terrible eating habits and will probably never be at a place where I don't have to worry about what I eat. Honestly I don't think that anyone who has suffered being overweight will ever be "reformed" fully. Also, most of the skinny people I know (who have always been skinny) are very concious of their food choices and intentionally make sure they are not over-eating. You can lose weight with a lap band but still eat like crap, just less of it. They are still not eating healthy or giving their body proper nutrition. I only buy healthy food (I don't even go down the middle aisles in the grocery store anymore because that's where all the crappy stuff is, and I don't want the temptation). Once a week I allow myself a treat so I never feel like I am going without. No matter what you do - lap-band, balloon, weight watchers, RNY - true lasting weight loss will come when you are mentally ready to do the work.