Exercise you recommend to get the long term gains of exercise?

No exercise will keep weight off forever, you have to be persistant. Swimming is great because it isn't hard on your joints. Do everything in moderation. Mixing up exercise shedules is a smart idea. Run, bike, walk, swim, play tennis, Golf, there are alot of things you can do. Persistence and consistency with your exercise program are incredibly important in losing weight and then keeping it off. One additional exercise that you can do at home is rebounding aka bouncing on a mini-trampoline. According to NASA, rebounding is "the most efficient and effective exercise yet devised by man" and 68% more efficient than treadmills or other forms of exercise.