I am hoping to be ready to start maintianing my weight by fall and would like to hear if any of you have a maintenance plan and if so what it is.

I discussed this with my Dr. at my last appointment and we decided that we would start removing small amounts of fill until I was maintaining. This is what I wanted to do but I am having second thoughts.

I don't think this will happen for a few more months. Even though I am close historically it has taken me a while to loose the last 20-25 pounds so it is not like it is going to happen tomorrow. I am just trying to think ahead because I have gone to my goal weight twice before in the last 12 years and managed to gain it back. The first time I maintained well for one year and then gained about 12 lbs. per year for the next three and then gained 25 lbs. the fifth year. Lost 61 pounds, but managed to gain back that 61 + another 25 before I stated looking into the lapband. The second time I started gaining it back as soon as I stopped "dieting."

I am determined not to do this again so maintenance is on my mind these days. The thing is I don't diet at all with the band. I eat whatever I want; I do Protein first so I get full and don't ever want much else. I don't count calories and I don't use fat-free or low-fat, etc.

Two things that were likely big issues to my weight gain in the past were 1) alcohol and 2) Dr. Pepper. I haven't had a Dr. Pepper or any soda for that matter since I was banded on 8-11-2005. The alcohol is another story, right now all I can say is that it is much better.

You're going to have to stay away from the liquid calories forever! But the further into this banding thing I get, the more I realise that its' real advantage is going to be maintenance, not actual weight loss. I'm working just as hard to lose weight as I ever did, but I dont quit and put it back on the minute I hit a plateau.

You'll hopefully be able to get it just right and never have to worry about your weight again!

I don't know if you have to stay away from the liquid calories forever, but probably do them in moderation.

A friend of mine lost 196 pounds with the band. She actually lost 5-7 pounds more than her goal, so she had a small unfill, just so she can eat a bit more. I think they are just doing things as they need to do them. Like a wait and see.

Good for you on the loss. And good for you for thinking about maintenance. Let us know how you and your doctor do it...