What happens after a year?

I'm almost 4 yrs out., and at goal for almost 3 yts.  The one-yr time is nothing magic. Some are near goal, others are not. Many can losr wewll into their 3-4th year, if still needed.  Others accidentally become pregnant, or have other health issues that arise, and must put the band on hold for 1-2 years. they can still start again and resume good loss later at any time they wish. When one is at goal, we usually have our tightest fill, and this cannot be kept forever. the tighter the fill, the more the risk of longterm problems. Many docs believe that a small unfill is needed to lessen longterm pressure on the stomach - which really would prefer NO pressure. I agree with this, and have kept a lesser fill. This means that we will have to be depending much more on our new better habits and lifestyle, than on a tight band. when wew are at goal.  This is why I so strongly encourage working hard on overcoming the emotional eating along the way, and often with the help of a therapist.  It is very easy to regain lost weight with the band. I can't count how many at-goal bandsters have, simply becuase they went bacl to old eating habits and had never gotten their emotional, unhealthy eating under control. they simply depended on a very tight fill to not allow them to eat much. This is a big mistake, imo. 

Think about it - if we are losing well on the 1200-1500 cal a day that is ideal for most Bandster women, it is not possible to keep that tight fill and STOP losing. We will need about 2200-2500 cal a day to maintain, and will need a looser fill to be able to do that.

At goal, Some of the newer studies are suggesting that over a 12-month period or so, with not touching the band at all, a small amt of fill may be lost to osmosis. This  tiny amount may need to be replaced periodically to keep a good fill (not a tight fill). This is still unclear. We do know that we will need an exam and yeqarly fluoro for life, so it would be a simple thing to get a small top-off fill at the same time too. The band and port stay where they are. they are not routinely removed,  if this is what you are asking. And I'm afraid most who have a large unfill do regain some. It seems impt to keep a good fill even after goal.  Sandy R at goal x 2.8 yrs