I can't believe I'm posting this so soon after getting banded. It's just a few days past seven months banded for me, but I'm getting close to the next phase of my journey. It's exciting, but feels a little weird...

When I was asked to choose a goal weight pre-op, I picked 175, the weight where I felt at my best, and what I thought I'd want to get down to. In reality, it's been so long since I weighed 175, I'm not sure my older frame would support being that slim. They were telling me it was unlikely I'd be able to lose more than 50% of my excess weight, but I've lost almost all of it. Looking at how I appear in the mirror right now, and knowing the sizes of clothes I'm buying that fit me these days, I can see something more like 190 to 200 would be a better goal weight for me. And if that's the case, I'm close. As of today I'm at 215, down 105 pounds since being banded last December. Based on recent losses, it could be as little as another four to six weeks, and I'll be under 200. I'm excited like crazy for that, but a little overwhwelmed on what to do next.

I've learned how to lose weight with a band, but how do I maintain a goal weight with a band? Do I get a slight unfill, increase my carbs, eat more empty calories -- what do you suggest? I'm unsure how to move into the next step with things.

Anyone have suggestions? Thanks in advance.

Dave

I don't have any advice for you in maintenance... But just had to say "Holy Shizzzzzzzzzzz! Good for you!".

I have forty pounds left to my goal and since I have no fill in my band I guess I will just keep doing what I have been doing. If I recall correctly, you use a bodybugg? If so, I guess you'll know how much you will need to eat to maintain and can adjust your fill accordingly to make sure you get those calories in.

Does your surgeon have any suggestions?

I don't have any advice for you in maintenance... But just had to say "Holy Shizzzzzzzzzzz! Good for you!".

I have forty pounds left to my goal and since I have no fill in my band I guess I will just keep doing what I have been doing. If I recall correctly, you use a bodybugg? If so, I guess you'll know how much you will need to eat to maintain and can adjust your fill accordingly to make sure you get those calories in.

Does your surgeon have any suggestions?

Thanks very much! It feels pretty good, as you also know. After all these years of being overweight, to be down to such a normal weight feels strange. I keep waiting to wake up fat again.

I do wear a Bodymedia armband (same thing, made by the same folks) and I can definitely work with that to try and balance things out. I haven't asked the surgeon yet - I have an appointment the middle of next month, which will be around the time I'll be close to the new (maybe) goal. I'm just trying to get ideas in advance of what others are doing.

To be frank, I never expected to be facing this end of things, and especially not this soon. It's completely amazing. But it also feels really, really good.

Dave

Just like losing weight is different for everyone, so is maintaining.

I know of people who get a slight unfill, or increase their calories to maintain.

I am not at goal yet but i have stayed at 150lbs since last November. I might just settle here because 140 seems impossible.

I work out, eat well and try to lose weight but I guess I have to be super super strict to get to 140 i just havent found the motivation for it I guess.

I am eating basically the same diet I was a year ago and I was losing weight then so your body might tell you when it is ready to stop and just stop.

My weight loss just kind of petered out over time. I stopped losing, only to see a few pounds go every now and then and it was purely chance that I settled at about my goal weight anyway (slightly below). SO I never unfilled, never changed anything.

Yes, I can handle more empty calories now, and I guess I probably eat more carbs and more in total as the band does loosen over time. But I never had to specifically unfill to stop losing weight.

I kept exercising, in fact I do more now than I did during the early part of my losing phase coz I'm much fitter.

I, on the other hand, find that maintaining is much harder than loosing the weight. I have been battling with myself, too loose, too tight, fill slight unfill for the last 4 months. I seem to have finally hit the spot where I feel good and can stay the same give or take a pound. I have 3 cc in my 11 cc band and it feels like I may keep that where it is at. Congrats on your great weight loss. I am sure that you feel and look 100% better. Keep yup the good work and you will be at GOAL in no time. Karen