What is the next steps when you reach your goal?

[melliecat 55]

Hi!

I didn't know where to post this question, but when you reach your weight goal, what happens then? Is the band left as is, adjusted? What kind of diet do you follow when you get there, same?

Thanks for your help!

Melliecat

[lapbandtalker 0]

Nothing happens, pretty much. There's not some ray of light that comes from the heavens and music playing in the background....

you just wake up one day and while on the scales you've reached your goal (often times you pass it)

Decisions have to be made at that time...but not quickly. Really take your time to review the past and present.

Continue making good (or better) choices with food and your relationship with food.< /p>

If a week or so goes by and you lose another pound or so....is that okay? If so, keep working it!

But if you lose a pound or so and it's not okay...then adjust what you eat. Perhaps increase your calories a bit. Or, do what I did and go in for an adjustment.

It may take a few adjustments to stop weightloss. It took me 2. But I'm still loosing.

My goal was 150. When I passed it, I thought I'd keep going...I was on a roll afterall. Then 140 was my NEW goal. I seemed to stay around there +/- 3 pounds....for well over 6 months.

But now I'm loosing again. I'm down to 132 and am looking a little sickly. But I just remember to eat and eat often and continue to make better choices than the past.

Oh, diet? I never dieted. I just ate LESS and made better choices of cooking more than dining out. And for me (and many others) that works. But some find they have to not only restrict the amount of food (the band) but what kind of food they eat (dieting).

I've just tried to find a sense of balance between good foods and knowing when it's okay to eat dessert or whatever.

Hope this helps.

[dburk 0]

Wow! You have done so incredibly well. I hope I do as well. I was banded on 3/5/09 and I'm finding that I can eat anything. I have an appointment tomorrow and I guess they'll suggest a fill or something. I wondered if anyone has lost as much as 100 pounds and not had the saggy or droopy extra skin? Does a lot of exercise help prevent that?

[Jachut 487]

I left my band as it was, over time it has loosened a little and I probably eat about 3-400 calories more per day simply in increased quantity. I continue to follow the same food patterns - I try to avoid junk, I try not to snack, I choose healthy - if that's a "diet" then I will be on one for the rest of my life.

I get up at 6 am every day to go for a run and put in about 3 hour long weight training sessions on top of that, but whilst I always do the same things (love lvoe love my running) I mix my routine around evey couple of months, for a while I'll do high intensity interval training and circuit training, then for a while longer, slower runs and more traditional weights routines. I find it helps avoid the pounds creeping up as they can so easily do.

I probably exercise about 8 or 9 hours a week in total - I do a LOT but it allows me to eat about 1800 calories a day and maintain.

With regard to skin, I lost about 100 and I dont have lots of it, but I do have some. You can tell I've had 3 babies, and my bum and inner thighs are a bit sad. I'd like a boob job, but that's all I'd really do - I wouldnt have anything like a Tummy Tuck for the problem I have.

[lapbandtalker 0]

Wow! You have done so incredibly well. I hope I do as well. I was banded on 3/5/09 and I'm finding that I can eat anything. I have an appointment tomorrow and I guess they'll suggest a fill or something. I wondered if anyone has lost as much as 100 pounds and not had the saggy or droopy extra skin? Does a lot of exercise help prevent that?

Many will tell you that exercise is key....but in my case it wasn't exercise...it was genetics. My skin toned right up. I was thinking about a procedure to get skin removed but my doc suggested I wait a while-

he was right! It can tighten up on it's own-but again, it's something inherited.

Exercise is so vital for a healthy lifestyle. Those who DO exercise are often happier/healthier than those who DON'T.

[dburk 0]

Thanks for the response - wish I could also count on genetics! I expect to have to really exercise - and hope for the best!! My weight is coming off very slowly though....may be a moot point for a long while.