There's no one place on Bariatric Pal that houses questions/comments about maintenance. There probably should be separate forum for maintenance, but I'll start a thread here.

For those of you in maintenance, where are you in your journey? Any lessons learned?

I'll start with a question for my maintenance buddies:

Do you ever "forget" you had surgery and it becomes a new normal?

I think about my sleeve/food all the time... as much as I did when I was actively losing. I'm always aware that I've had surgery, and I'm always trying to figure out when and how to eat. It's not a bad thing.. just a thing.

There was a very active maintenance thread a few years ago. I’m glad someone is starting the discussion again!

I’m a few years into maintenance. I never forget that I had WLS but it’s really only in the forefront when I’m dealing with food. When I prep my meals I have full control and prefer it.

If I’m eating out I scan the menu and immediately go to small plates or side orders. Very rarely will I get an entree because I’ll never finish it and I don’t really like leftovers (even though I take them). Otherwise this is my new normal. It doesn’t feel like a burden.

I actually don’t even remember what it felt like before when I was obese. I feel like I was always this size (I think that must be a form of body dysmorphia). Sometimes I think I may not even notice if I gain/lose a substantial amount of weight. So I keep measurements and weigh often for peace of mind. So my lesson learned is to confront any WLS related issues very very quickly.

Edited October 2, 20232 yr by GreenTealael

Dupe

Edited October 2, 20232 yr by GreenTealael

18 minutes ago, GreenTealael said:

I feel like I was always this size

Yes. I kinda sorta don't recognize the "old" me... even though that's the size I was for 30 years.

i'm Having a hard time with maintenance . I really don't feel like I have even had the surgery most days.

Trying very hard to maintain, but the hardest thing to get into that state is my BRAIN.

I've not only spent the last 2 years meticulously monitoring every bite of food I put in my mouth (even though my doctor didn't insist upon it I've been counting calories since day 1), but I spent the last 20 YEARS in the mindset that if I wasn't actively trying to LOSE weight, I was going backward. So, at 41, I have to learn how to eat to maintain which for some reason is VERY hard for me. I can't get out of the "weight loss" mindset. I don't eat enough. I monitor and measure and check and re-check everything. I pour myself a bowl or plate of something and put half of it back.

I just can't seem to accept that I am *done* losing weight.

I guess there are 2 sides of the coin when it comes to maintenance it didn't even occur to me that losing to much would be an issue but obviously it is. for some. I am in the cant keep it off category. I'm back in my mindless nibbling from the fridge 100 times a day habit

Edited October 2, 20232 yr by SleeverSk

8 minutes ago, pintsizedmallrat said:

I just can't seem to accept that I am *done* losing weight.

I definitely understand that. I look in the mirror and still think I should maybe lose more... which is ridiculous as I'm already right on the edge of being too thin. I'm still trying to figure out the upper limit of what I can/should eat.

1 minute ago, maintenanceman said:

I definitely understand that. I look in the mirror and still think I should maybe lose more... which is ridiculous as I'm already right on the edge of being too thin. I'm still trying to figure out the upper limit of what I can/should eat.

For me that's been a razor-thin line because my calorie numbers are so small to begin with (I am less than 5' tall)...1400 was too many, 1100 is too few, and it varies wildly depending on how active I am (I ride a motorcycle and it burns 200 calories an hour...when I'm on a trip I have to go out of my way to eat a LOT extra to not come back from a weekend trip with all my clothes too big). I try to stay between 1200-1300 and that's working OK, except for when I can't hold that much, which happens sometimes.

2 hours ago, SleeverSk said:

I guess there are 2 sides of the coin when it comes to maintenance it didn't even occur to me that losing to much would be an issue but obviously it is. for some. I am in the cant keep it off category. I'm back in my mindless nibbling from the fridge 100 times a day habit

This is what really scares me. People who have clearly done really well then slipping back into old habits. Thank you so much for sharing.

I am one of the people who is afraid to relax. Still clenched 100% of the time. I an eat a lot more now I'm almost 2 years post surgery. I do stick to the protein first veg second carbs third ALL THE TIME though, maybe that's what's saving me. Do you think that might help you @SleeverSk ?

I've had a few planned strays from the path and one or two unplanned ones but I've been able to get back on the path immediately after (so far).

The tip I would share would be to track everything but I know that doesn't suit everyone. I would love to think that in another couple of years I wouldn't need to but I suspect I always will.

Really interested in others' experiences. Thanks for starting the thread OP!

7 minutes ago, Spinoza said:

The tip I would share would be to track everything

I started off tracking everything in My Fitness Pal, but it got to be too much. Now, I keep an informal daily calorie tally in my head, and so far it's working. I also weigh every morning without fail to make sure I keep things in check. I know some people advise against it, but it works for me.

Edited October 2, 20232 yr by maintenanceman

Thank you for the topic, I am working on making the transition into maintenance now… im 7 months in tomorrow- and am slowly losing. I am still working out how to make the transition, and think i will be one that ALWAYS needs to track, as my history involves many years of yo-yoing as well. Daily weighing is my normal. I dont obsess, but it keeps me aware. I will be watching this thread for good ideas- i was self pay in Mexico, so I can use all the help i can get.

Transitioning to maintenance was both easy & challenging for me. Easy was that I had already made my choices about how/what I was going to eat & had been eating that way for most of my weight loss. What I found difficult was being able to eat portions large enough to stop the weight loss & work out how much I needed to consume to maintain. It’s why I kept losing for another 11 months. Though I also believe this was where my body wanted to be.

Yes, I weigh myself regularly & yes I worry about what I weigh right down to the grams. While I don’t consistently weigh & track what I eat every meal I am conscious about portion sizes & the calorie content of foods even when I’m dining out or socialising at a friend’s. I do random checks & introduce new foods/recipes slowly & carefully. And yes, I still do protein first, then vegetables too & aim to stick to nutrient dense foods.

This is the longest I’ve been able to maintain my weight ever in my 58 years. But I’m not on a diet to lose or maintain my weight. This is just how & what I eat. (The power of words.) I enjoy eating & food but it’s a different focus in my life - it’s more about what I need & less about what I want.

Hell yeah, the old mindless eating habits are still just there sitting on my shoulder. (Can’t eradicate them though would be amazing if we could.) A bit like that angel on one shoulder & devil on the other. I try to keep the Angel of new habits I’ve established as the dominant thinking & actions. On the days the devil is stronger, I usually catch myself but … there are times. Though I try not to beat myself up if the devil wins.

Following, thanks

17 hours ago, Arabesque said:

Hell yeah, the old mindless eating habits are still just there sitting on my shoulder. (Can’t eradicate them though would be amazing if we could.) A bit like that angel on one shoulder & devil on the other. I try to keep the Angel of new habits I’ve established as the dominant thinking & actions. On the days the devil is stronger, I usually catch myself but … there are times. Though I try not to beat myself up if the devil wins.

I have two Sith Lords telling me to turn to the dark side.