Getting close to goal - and worrying about maintenance

[IcanMakeit 1,318]

In the first couple of months after surgery, I had trouble getting to 700 calories in a day. And now, 6 months out, I'm at about 800-900 calories on idle days and 900-1000 on exercise days. I worry that when I reach goal, I won't be able to raise my intake by much without gaining weight. My intake now is governed by my sleeve. I'm really not very hungry most of the time.

What will happen when my restriction lessens and I am able to eat more? I'm not sure if I have really learned how to eat less or if I'm just eating less for now because I can hold less. My problem pre-surgery was not so much what I ate but more about how much I ate. I never felt full until I was stuffed. I know that my stomach has been greatly altered, but I fear that I'll return to that pattern in a year or so.

I don't want to be on a diet for the rest of my life, but I'm afraid that when I allow myself more calories in maintenance, I'll slowly regress to my old, bad eating pattern.

[Healthy_life2 8,319]

@@IcanMakeit Thanks for posting this question.

I just talked to my PA at my dr's office. I get in about 900 calories. They want me to up it to 1200 to 1500 calories. I have the same fears of gaining or not being able to maintain once I get to goal. I have always failed in the maintenance phase of my previous diets. I know this is different with weight loss surgery but I'm still scared. Hoping to hear from people in maintenance.

[Camarolegend 185]

Don't worry! Your doctor will tell you what to do including adding higher carb items. A coworker was told by his surgeon he could add these high carb items because he was almost out of fat reserves.

Edited November 22, 2014 by Camarolegend

[Kindle 8,667]

I was within 5 pounds of my surgeon's goal (160) at about 6 months out. I don't normally count or track anything, but I did a few "spot calorie checks" and I was around 1200 calories at that point. I started eating more fruit, whole grains and healthy fats to slow my loss. Even with that I dropped to my personal goal of 150 pounds by about 7 1/2 months. I was definitely eating in maintenance mode at that point but still losing. I felt significantly less restriction by 9 months out. I think I have finally bottomed out and have ranged between 137 and 141 for the last 2 months. A couple daily calorie spot checks have me at 1400-1600 calories most days. I eat what I want, when I want, within the basic guidelines of 60+g Protein, 64+ oz Water, Vitamins and limit "white carbs".

In the end, I basically just let my body find its new normal. I would have been happy at 160, and thrilled at 150, so eating more wasn't that scary for me. And by not seriously limiting my calories (I was at 1000/day by 2 months out) I kept my metabolism up and didn't force my body to get used to such a low intake. Makes maintenance super easy. So I'd say slowly increase your calories with smart choices and see what happens.

Edited November 22, 2014 by Kindle

[IcanMakeit 1,318]

My restriction is still pretty strong. I am worrying about what my behavior will be when I no longer have it to lean on. I know I will start out by continuing to eat healthfully (that has been my pattern in the past), but I'm not confident in my ability to avoid drifting further and further from my healthy habits (because that has also been my pattern in the past).

I don't want to end up, a couple of years down the road, hearing my doctor warn me about my weight.