I know I'm thinking of this a bit early, as I'm ten days away from surgery, but how does maintenance work with the band? Once you've lost all your weight, how do you transition into maintaining it? I'm really good at losing but not so much at keeping it off.

I've done Weight Watchers and their maintenance program calls for eating more than during losing. How does that work with the band, if you keep following the rules?

Well...I only have about 2 months experience....and although I have 7 more lbs to get to the original number my dr , husband and even me are comfortable where I am at...so if I lose or don't...I am ok with it.

That said... Maintaining has been easier than I expected. I can eat stuff I wasn't able too during the losing stage but most of the time I either don't want it or I cannot eat very much of it.... So it seems to balance out, I still jump on the scale twice a day and believe me if I see I am up a lb you can bet the next day I will be a model bandster. LOL

Thank you Floridays for putting that into perspective. I worry so much about maintenance, even though I have a very long way to go in the back of my mind I think about it all the time. I too have lost weight in the past, but could never keep it off. My biggest fear! I know so many people who have lost weight and soon after the weight crept back. I don't want to be one of those people. I want to once and for all keep it off forever, I am too old and too tired of the constant battle.

Thank you Floridays for putting that into perspective. I worry so much about maintenance, even though I have a very long way to go in the back of my mind I think about it all the time. I too have lost weight in the past, but could never keep it off. My biggest fear! I know so many people who have lost weight and soon after the weight crept back. I don't want to be one of those people. I want to once and for all keep it off forever, I am too old and too tired of the constant battle.

It actually is pretty amazing to me that I haven't even gone up a pound... NO diet I was ever on acted like this. I think I Would gain 20 in the first week after going off.... I feel like the band has taught me how to eat and governs my intake so I just cannot gain if I pay attention which I realize i will have to do forever....

I've been doing maintenance for about 9 months now. Like floridays, I am about 6 or so lbs from my original goal, but am happy where I am at.

I also weigh myself once or twice a day and eat around the scale. If I seen to eat more one day and it shows on the scale, I cut back for a couple of days. I am not the model bandster with my eating or exercise... But I don't eat very much anymore, I don't eat fast food, or pop anymore. Those things were my downfall, and I have cut those items from my life.

Good luck on your journey... You will be in maintenance before u know it...

As I was loosing weight I too often pondered this question, what happens when I reach the goal.....

And the answer for me is nothing!

This is a lifestyle change....a permanent change, forever....the band remains as it is.....

I have learned to live with the band, meaning I have learned to eat a new way, learned to choose good healthy foods, and have become very active and physically fit....and will NEVER be able to overeat....

It has become a new lifestyle, no longer dieting, no longer counting calories......

I have NO FEAR of gaining weight......

I have many normal weight, healthy and fit friends....and I now live a regular life the same as they do....enjoying the things I choose to.....

It has become a lifestyle, not a weight loss program.......so as far as maintenance, why would I want to change my new lifestyle?

And dieting is no longer part of that life....

The only thing I do to care for the band, is go full liquids for 2-3 days,, from time to time to give it a rest and let things tighten up back to "My New Normal"

As a matter of fact, I'm going to to do it soon due to all the partying I've been doing because of the holidays.... BUT I DID NOT GAIN 1 LB!!!

I agree - I have been maintaining for years now, and I pretty much eat the same asi did to lose, with less reluctance to indulge in a glass of wine or whatever.

I exercise, if not as much, even more than I did early on.

So to maintain weight, you basically never go off your diet and exercise plan. Your body adjusts to the lower calorie intake which is hy weight is do hard to keep of.

I just eat like I did when I was losing. I don't eat junk food or ice cream or sweets, no fast food. I eat healthy nutritious food every day. That way I dont have to worry about maintaining. I also weigh twice daily but I have from the beginning. It keeps me accountable.