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

New York, NY!

Mine is an inch up and a couple inches to the right of my belly button. For my first couple fills it was impossible to find. Once I lost the weight and before my tummy tuck it used to REALLy stick out. I couldn't wear clingy clothing or even certain tshirts. During my TT they switched me to a low profile port and put it below the muscle. I haven't lost any more weight but I'm in really good shape and now it sticks out (a little) again. It's a good problem to have, but the benefit of weighing 286 pounds was a deeply embedded, cushioned port!

I went from a 40DDD to a 32A in this process, so I've seen many bras along the way. I thought I had settled at a 34B so I spent a ton I shouldn't have there. Otherwise I made sure to buy one or two good bras (good-not Victoria's Secret) and took good care of them, adjusted the straps when I could, and sucked it up and bought new ones when I had to. It's a good cause. A really good bra makes a world of difference. I sound like my grandmother...

I agree that it depends on what you want to weigh. I'm 5'7" and very muscular and weigh 150 lbs. You'd describe me as thin and I think I'd look bad at 130, but plenty of people at my height weigh 120 or 130 and look great. I also exercise heavily and regularly and chase after three kids, but I am also not very strict with my diet. I eat tons of calories, but they tend to be "good" ones more often than not. Not that good, really. Think an 85% cocoa dark chocolate bar rather than cheesecake, tons of almonds all the time instead of chips and red wine versus a margarita. I don't count calories but I'd guess I approach the 2000 calorie mark. If the exercise were to slip I'd have to head right down to the 1200 calorie zone, so remember that if you're willing to run your ass off, you do get to indulge like others can't. Maybe your trainer isn't working you hard enough and you're not doing enough cardio? Do you spin or run? I'd also say that if you're going to go big, you could do better than veggie straws and veggie burgers. Live a little! I'd argue that the problem is that what you're eating isn't that satisfying!!!!

I'm not the praying type, but want to send all good wishes and thoughts to those of you who have been through or are going through this. It's absolutely no fair

Vanity sizing. I'm 150 at 5'7" and a size 6. In the old days at this weight I was a 10.

Fair question and I don't know the answer. I'm assuming that somewhere along the way the technology will improve or something will happen and it will need to be replaced. No way, after all this hard work, would I want to go five minutes without it.

I eat carrots all the time. Weird!

No slip-ups. I didn't want all my hard work to be for naught!

I lost weight quickly and easily with the band. After bandster hell it was hard, but not THAT hard. I exercise a lot and make good choices, but I haven't killed myself, not even for a second. People are impatient, don't read up on bandster hell, and don't like to exercise. To succeed you DO need to exercise, need to be patient and know that it takes some time to reach your sweet spot and find your groove. I literally have nothing bad to say about this whole process. Some people have it harder than others, but generally speaking, you have a great tool at your disposal and it's up to you to use it wisely. Wishing you every success!

I had a tummy tuck four months ago. I'm happy to answer any questions.