After you've lost all your excess weight and are in the maintenance phase of WLS life -- either newly or several years down the road -- what's the best eating path for you to follow?

There are at least three major schools of thought about how to eat during WLS maintenance, with hybrids of these approaches. Each approach has enthusiastic boosters and rabid opponents among WLS patients. Each approach is espoused by some WLS surgeons, nutritionists, psychologists, bloggers, coaches, and those who sell WLS products.

(1) Abstinence Approach: WLS patients should abstain forever from specific foods, especially those that contain sugar, processed carbs or alcohol. Proponents of the abstinence approach to maintenance offer advice to WLS patients like this:

"Bread is empty calories and a waste of valuable pouch space." At http://www.bariatriceating.com/2016/02/can-versus-difference/

"Say no to alcohol." At http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/364081-bariatric-realities-%E2%80%93-medical-professionals%E2%80%99-guidelines-about-alcohol-use-wls/?hl=%20stapleton

(2) No Dieting Approach: Some WLS patients report that they have maintained their weight losses by eating in moderation all foods that appeal to them. "I didn't have WLS to be on a diet the rest of my life" is a refrain often heard from this group. The major tool in this approach to WLS maintenance is portion control.

(3) Mindful Moderation Approach: This approach has a foot in both the abstinence and non-dieting camps. Those who follow this approach select their foods based primarily on nutritional content, but indulge occasionally in the kinds of "treats" eschewed by abstainers. They endeavor to observe their feelings and behaviors around food choices and use this information to inform future choices.

Recognizing that all WLS patients are not alike -- we vary considerably with regard to our surgery types, complications, physical and mental health challenges, emotional resources, basal metabolic rates, degree of family support, access to therapy/counseling, macronutrient tracking (with an app or mentally), physical exercise (intensity and frequency), etc. -- which maintenance approach works best for you?

EDIT: Or if you know of other approaches to successful maintenance you think work well, please describe them here.

Mindful moderation worked well for me until my band was removed and then the little part of my brain that said "o you haven't had (insert food here) in so long because you physically couldn't eat it, one won't hurt you". Yeah all downhill from there

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

It seems like I eat less on #3 than I do on #1...

I do a combo of #1 abstinence and #3 mindful moderation. Some foods like bagels will never be in my shopping cart but the list of "nevers" is small. Usually I just track my food and weight myself daily to stay in check.

I've never had ANY weight-loss or weight-maintenance success with approach #1 or #2.

Both those approaches ... the "Abstinence = total Restriction of #1; and ...... the "No Diet = Intuitive Eating" of #2, have never been workable plans for me.. not at any time during the years BEFORE or at any time during the years AFTER WLS.

For ME, weight-loss and maintenance success can only be had through approach #3. AND during the past 12 years, this "moderate" way-of-eating, has included Consistent, Ongoing, Daily, food tracking using a computer food journal.

I tried "no dieting", now im at mindful moderation and reboot lol