LapNYC

I didn't excercise for the first few months and then gradually stepped it up. In my book, the advantage of weight training in particular is that it lets you eat and weigh a lot more than you would/could otherwise. The minute I stop weight training the pounds fall off, but not in a good way. Pump iron and you'll lose fat instead of muscle and will get to enjoy a cookie when you feel like it.

This is such a no brainer for me that I can't even believe the question is being asked. It was a life-saving, life changing amazing decision for me. If people described me now they might even mention having a good body as part of the description. I really should put some befores and afters up. The band has been easy and fabulous and good to me and I truly can't say enough about it.

Whenever I buy a size 6 (I think I topped out at a 24) I always think a camera crew is going to jump out from a dressing room saying that the joke's on me. I never get used to it. I could wrap my head around everything down to a 12, but I'm so used to buying the biggest size available and old habits die hard.

Congratulations! I fluctuate a little more than you describe and exercise like a maniac to maintain. Your regimen sounds a little more reaosnable! Out of curiousity, how tight do you keep your band? What has your fill story been for the past couple years? Regardless, it's a major accomplishment. The flowers were much deserved!

I think you sound like a great candidate. I was like you--a big exerciser with a big appetite--and I think we're one of the types most likely to find success with the band. The exercise is key and the band manages portion control. If you were a sedentary snacker who grazed on cookies and chips throughout the day I'd say you might want to consider other options, but as it stands I think the band and your natural tendencies are a good match. Eventually you'll get to have those chocolates back too!

I snowboard and kickbox, then and now. Do those count? No problems. Outside of someone punching you in the stomach maybe, the band shouldn't be relevant.

No change here. Less pain in heels maybe.

I'm older than you are, but lost quite a bit of weight. I lift weights several times a week and do cardio every day, so I'm in really really good shape, and the sagging skin is definitely there. You just have to decide what you can live with. On the breast front I went and bought some really expensive bras and had them fit by a bra fitter. WIth a bra on I look fine. Without is a little scary, although I breastfed my kids so that didn't help either. My legs look awful but I can deal with that too. I don't wear shorts. Ever. My arms really responded to the weights and are now "good" arms, weight loss notwithstanding. And...I had a tummy tuck. But again, having kids contributed to some wear and tear as well. Long way of saying, you should do everything you can in the gym (both weights and cardio), wait some time for things to settle, and then figure out what you can live with and what you can't. Good luck!

I eat soup all the time and I'd say it played a good part in my success. Yes, in theory it doesn't let the band work its magic, but somehow it works from me. It's easy to eat, easy to order or keep on hand, a good way to get vegetables in and, in my opinion, immensely satisfying. Indeed soup is usually the meal itself, although I too order it often as an appetizer when I'm out, especially with people who don't know I was banded. I never drink with meals (unless it's wine and I'm out and even then I try and drink it early in the game) but somehow soup doesn't feel like it counts. I guess if I were to eat a meaty or carby meal and followed it with a brothy soup it might not go down too well a la other liquids, but that's not really the natural order of things anyway.

Today I had an almond and pomegranate Kind Bar and a large skim latte for breakfast, a large piece of salmon for lunch with frozen yogurt for dessert, another large skim latte as a snack, a large salad with beets, grilled chicken, onions, tomato and feta for dinner and a Godiva chocolate bar for dessert. ps I exercise a lot!

I've lost a hundred and something pounds eating soup for lunch almost every day!

Jachut - I think that was a really good point! Big juicy apples, grapes, melon and many vegetables that aren't in a soup don't appeal to me much anymore, although I know I loved these things for forty years. Indeed I'm too rushed and lazy to contend with broccoli or brussel sprouts or berries that will involve a lot of chewing and hard work. Not that I'm eating junk, but I'll choose the salmon and the soup every time. I think that's a good suggestion - to analyze why you want what you want and don't want what you don't want. Jeez, now I'm really dying for that apple...

You can see mine easily. Before my tummy tuck and switch to a low profile port it looked ridiculous and if I didn't wear a thick sweater you could see it through my clothing. I haven't lost more weight but I am in slightly better shape, and now it's sticking out again. My surgery days are officially over, but I guess low profile wasn't low profile enough! Small price to pay!

I drink two lattes a day and eat sushi all the time. I mean, I CAN eat sushi, but I try and keep it to sashimi when I can, just to be "good". Depends on my weight and my mood. The things I can't or just don't eat anymore are: Steak Lobster tail pineapple Melon Shrimp White bread