So I'm 7 months out and yesterday at my (6 month) check up surgeon told me to stop losing and go into maintenance. I was shocked. I wasn't expecting to hear that. I was ok at first then kind almost had a panic attack. I have always, always, always had it in my head from youth to lose weight. I thought I still had more to lose.

I 5'6 (large frame) weighted in at dr (fully clothed) at 164 putting my bmi at 28.5. I asked it I could lose the last 12 pounds to put me at 150 (you know the magic number in your head you have to get to) but he said that would put me just above a underweight bmi and to let's just stay here. I feel like 7 more will put me at a good place to have some wiggle room.

I'm right around 1000 calories a day 80-100 grams of Protein, 8-10 glasses of Water low carbs. I'm happy at this size just not my smoochieness! Toning is a must from here on out.

I am baffled at how to proceed now. I know I should be prepared but really I didn't think I'd be told that at my apt. The weight loss slowed way down.... like I'm bounding these last 6 weeks between 162 and 166. I would love some advice form all the vets on how to maintain from now on. If you need more back ground I'm all for telling everything lol thanks everyone

Hi Sophie, you look great, and I think you should do what you want as far as a weight goal that is... I think having a little bounce room is smart, at 7 months things are not where they might be after 12 or more months... weight regain is greatest at 3 years out, so a little room to bounce is a good idea. I am going to move your post where others can answer too, this vets forum is only for those over 12 months out to post on. Vets can still answer you where I am moving it to. Best of luck, Kim

I agree that if you want to loose a bit more, you should continue forward with that.

What size clothing are you in now? I have a number in my head of what I would like to weigh but it is easier for me to judge where I want to be by what jeans size I can wear. I want to fit into a size 8...the number is secondary to the size.

That is a great way to look at it! I would ideally like to be a size 8 also. I'm in a 9-10 now and I know with a few extra pounds gone I'd fit into 8's. As I bought a few pairs of longer shorts for summer in an 8. They are real close (like I need to lose 5-10 pounds and they'd fit perfect! lol

I do have another question for everyone.... How does everyone maintain? What is your routine like? Your intake? Your effort you have to use? Is it harder for some or easy for some?

I had the same thought, I had a size in mind, and when I hit that size, I kept losing. I wanted to be in an 8, single digits was all I wanted honestly. Then I somehow skipped the 8's and went right into a 6. I was wearing a 10, and they started to be really baggy, so when I went clothes shopping, I tried an 8, still baggy, then I tried a 6 and they fit. I have toned a bit, and can wear some 4's, and some Jr 5's. I'm maintaining now, I use full fat yogurt, dressing, and I eat 1/2 an avocado for a snack once a day. I also eat the Oscar Meyer P3's, they are 140 calories, and about 16 grams of Protein, they consist of meat, cheese and nuts. I get them from the deli meat dept, by the lunchables. I have been eating pretty much whatever I want (healthy about 95% of the time) and maintaining. I figure I'm getting about 1200-1300 calories a day vs the 800 when I was still losing weight. I see my surgeon again in 2 weeks, and I can't wait for him to see how great I'm doing.