I don't log on to this site that much these days, but popped in to check a message and thought I'd write a quick post! I'm 4 1/2 years post-op, starting at 230 pounds (I am 5'6) and have been in maintenance at goal for about 3 years. Since I'm practically geriatric in bandster terms, I figured that I should take a minute to share some advice that I found to be really helpful to me. Here goes....

The best advice I can give to pre-op bandsters is to write out a plan for success -- the things you're going to do to help yourself get to your goal, and to take your measurements and a bunch of before photos right away (you will want them later). If you want to take a look at my Plan for Success that I wrote out before my surgery (and followed afterwards), you can find a link to it HERE.

For bandsters who are working toward their goals, the best advice I have for you is to keep trying different types of exercise until you find one that you like, then stick with it (and try new ones too so that you'll have something new to move to if you get sick of what you're doing). Exercise has been a key to maintenance for me, and it really helped me to shape my body as I was losing, too. With it and my band, it's not hard to stay within a several pound range right around my goal. Also, I hated my butt for my entire life up to the past 3 or so years. Who knew it could actually look decent with a bit of exercise? I actually like how it looks now, which is a huge shocker to me! Never thought that would happen!!

Weighing myself is also a big help to me. People really differ in their opinions about hopping on the scale, and no one philosophy is right for everyone. My personal take on it works really well for me though. I get on the scale pretty much every day at the same time in the morning (pre-shower, post-loo). I know that my scale can bounce around a bit, especially if I had a lot of salt the day before, so I don't freak out if it's up a pound or two. I just make a mental note of it, and I adjust what I'm eating during the day based on what the scale tells me. If it's up, I focus on making healthy choices through the day. If it's down, I let myself have a cookie or two if I want them. I don't make a big deal about it, and it doesn't feel like dieting to me at all. I just take each day as it comes.

So, that's all the advice this Band-Geezer has to offer today!! I hope that all of you are doing really well and send best wishes for your success!

Best,

Catherine

Congrats on your success. Thank you. It is very encouraging to me when I see these posts of success.

Love this post!!!

Thanks for taking the time to write

Congrats on reaching your goal and staying there

Two questions:

1) did u have extra/saggy skin after the weight came off?

2) do you still ever PB/vomit?

Great Post and sage advice.

BTW-You're one hot geezer and I know geez!

tmf

Great advise. I love my band too !!!

Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

So nice to hear from someone 5 years out!

You look amazing

Keep up your great work.

Thanks for posting! I really enjoy reading longterm/lifestyle success stories like this. CONGRATS!! Well done!

Love this post!!!

Thanks for taking the time to write

Congrats on reaching your goal and staying there

Two questions:

1) did u have extra/saggy skin after the weight came off?

2) do you still ever PB/vomit?

Hi! No -- My skin shrank back really well! It took some time for the "girls" to bounce back into shape, but they eventually did. It helped that I was a lower BMI patient (37 BMI) and under 40 when I had my surgery.

On the PB-ing, yes -- it happens once in a while, when I forget to chew enough. It's pretty rare though. I know how to eat with my band really well now, and I only really have a problem if I am being careless when I'm eating, or if I'm really stressed out (which makes my band tighter) when I'm eating. Otherwise, it's pretty normal for me now.