Increasing calories fears

I know it's time to transition into maintenance, and a good place for me to start is 1100 and work from there. It seems so small considering that I eat around 950-1000 regardless on a normal day, so it's not a huge increase. However, I have trouble even thinking about increasing calories anymore. It makes me a nervous wreck! Anyone else feel this way over intake increasing?

Too new to comment on your question, but it sounds like something that would happen to me (knock wood!!) In a couple of weeks, I need to start my "real life" diet and I'm very nervous--like I need to start really navigating the foodscape. I was this way about soft foods, too. Thought I'd be so excited and happy, but it's anxiety that I'll mess it up.

But you will figure this out! I mean, look what you did already!! I'll bet that you will dial it in--just like you did to reach your goal.

Yes, I think this is fairly normal. I know you don't follow much social media but this is the point where all the VSGers on Instagram get sanctimonious and tell everyone to shape up their diets and be disciplined and claim they are so awesome that they can't stop losing. I also think it's the time where most people who hit goal will find they build in a 'cushion'. I hit my 'ideal weight' goal and then felt scared of adding calories and did it extremely slowly and ended up 20lbs below ideal.

You know the interworkings of your brain better than anyone else - so if you feel like this is a real problem make sure to get your therapist involved in the process!

I was really nervous about it. But because I weighed and logged every bite, I was sure I could control it.

I increased calories 100-150, kept an eye on tgge scale for a week, then added another 100-150. First sign of a stall, I kept steady until the scale moved one way or another.

I don't know why most people just guess their intake. I would have driven myself crazy if it was just a guessing game.

I was SUPER nervous about raising calories going into maintenance too. I did what Grim suggests and even with that I ended up losing another 10 pounds. At first I thought that was too low, but got used to it. My posted range is my lowest regular point (115) to 118, though now at almost 20 months in maintenance I seem to be hovering in the mid 117's, where I used to hover in the mid 115 to mid 116 point.

It is scary, but you will find your balance point!

You have had great success... you can do this !! I had a difficult time with the mental shift from wanting the scale to go down, to focusing on a five pound range. I found focusing on activity goals (physical, social, leisure) and self care helped lots. All of that intensity and laser focus has to go somewhere.

Keeping connected here will help you with the transition. Since most people who have not had WLS have no clue. They will eat treat yourself you have lost enough weight and will think it's okay for you to throw caution to the wind.

Good point! I have a friend who keeps saying I am too thin. Keep in mind that one of his daughters is MO (as is he) and his other daughter and wife are obese as well. In fact he has developed lymphadema and a heart condition over the last year because he is continuing to gain even with his doctor telling him he MUST lose weight to survive. This same individual has remarked that he thinks WLS is too drastic. Which I guess it is if you want to keep overeating and eat crap. Anyway, my doctors are happy with my weight and overall health.

I am on the low end of normal BMI right now. Some of the heavier people that knew me when I was obese think I am too thin, but my doctors and new acquaintances do not think so. I am having A LOT LESS arthritis pain with the lower weight and feel pretty good all in all (other than the hernia I am having repaired next week). Will I have regain after I recover from my upcoming surgery? Hard to say but I will probably try to stay lighter if I can for my joint health.

This is very normal.

At 10+ years post op, I am trying to lose a few lbs I gained. I have been following a very good diet for 2+weeks, and my body just hold to the pounds. Until yesterday. It let g of 4 lbs. I knew only time will show.