losing weight at more than 18 months out

I read many posts here written by people who are worried that weight loss magically STOPS at certain time points post surgery. Often these landmarks are 6 months, 1 year and 18 months post WLS. I have never really totally bought into the whole honeymoon period thing, but I do think the first 6 months post op are of VITAL IMPORTANCE AND THAT EVERYONE SHOULD OPTIMIZE THIS FIRST 6 MONTHS, because I do think there is something magical about that initial 6 month period. (Though this magic has a very scientific explanation!)

During that first 6 months your stomach is a mess. It has undergone utter abuse on the operating table and it takes months and months for it to heal. During this healing period it is just hard to eat a lot of anything. That's why pretty much everyone loses weight during the first 6 months. But as your stomach begins to heal and capacity begins to increase things begin to change for some people. For some people weight loss slows and sometimes it just stops.

But, I digress and that six month mark is derserving of a post all its own, and I want to get the point of my post. I steadily put on a few pounds from February through June. I was a little lackadaisical about logging some days and had a few too many carbs and treats on a weekly basis. By June I was a pound over my "red line" weight and then went on vacation and put on a few more pounds. Please note that I know exactly why I gained weight. No surprises there for me at all.

I came back and got right back on track and then 3 days later went away again for 4 more days. I maintained during the second trip and then got back home and really got down to business. Within four days I was back in my range by just a few tenths of a pound. I decided that I would continue to stay in WL mode so that I could get back down to the lower end of my range and then would make my goal range a 5 pound range rather than a 10 pound range.

Over the 3rd & 4th we had some fun plans with friends and since I was "in range" I decided to allow myself a couple of maintenance days. On the 5th it was back on a WL plan.

I'm down 4 pounds so far this week and tomorrow is my weigh in day. I'm 19 months out and I realize my weight loss/gain is pretty much in my control. To lose I just go right back following what worked for me during my initial WL.

I no longer follow a 600-800 calorie plan because at this point in my VSG journey that would be a bit drastic and too punitive emotionally. I do however, easily follow a 1100-1200 calorie plan in WL mode. I aim for 100+ grams of protein per day, lower my carbs back down to

I agree. I am still losing and exercise was the key for me. Not everyone needs that, but I do. I also think that the smaller you get, the more each pounds shows as it comes off. Five pounds now is a size, where as five pounds at 240 made little difference. The less you have to lose, the slower it seems to get but the more it also shows, as well. The more time that goes by, I don't find the time range to be so much the challenge but the fact that I have less to lose as time goes by.

I hear horror stories of the last ten pounds. I cannot WAIT for that challenge and I am 18 months out last month!

I gained 6lbs. from a self inflicted food vacation going to Gulf Shores in June.  When I came home, I got right back on it and lost the weight in a few days and more.  The sleeve makes it so much easier!!  

Your post is what maintenance is really all about.  When I did what you did four or five times and it still worked, my fear or regain dropped significantly.  I realized that my weight really is in my control.  I do think that it is much easier to lose "a few pounds" than to lose 20 or more pounds at three or more years out.  I too can't go as low as 600 calories anymore, but 800-1000 is quite doable for me without feeling deprived. (I am much tinier than you, so that would explain the calories). I guess what I am really trying to say is that you have this maintenance thing down more than you know.

Well I'm glad to know that you can still lose at this far out.

Now, tell me how the **** to do it. (I'm bitter and annoyed - just in case you didn't pick up on that.)

PM me. Maybe we can figure out what's going on. Are you still stuck at 150ish wanting to go down to 140???

Thanks, hun. I already know what it is. I just want to whine. We'll see if I make it to 140. I'm thinking I just may have to call it good and start maintenance - not that my maintenance will be any different than what I'm doing now.

You remember I upped my goal weight by 4 pounds and my goal range is now actually above that goal weight. You have to do what's right for you. If you're truly happy at 150 then stay there and call it goal!

Apologies! The end of my post seems to have been deleted. I went back to edit it back in and that didn't work.

Hmmmmm..... Basically, the end of the message was RELAX. Your sleeve will be there for you. You just have to know how to use it to your advantage.

I am currently in the "magical" period and I have a lot of trouble getting what I need each day. It is a challenge, for sure. I do know myself and my body pretty well, and through all of its ups and downs, exercise was the key. I know that if I do not workout, I will not lose all of my weight - period. This seems sort of silly eating 5-600 calories a day, but damn if I am not the most stubborn loser there is. The scary part for me is after the magic ends - I'll deal with it when it happens, and I'll keep bookmarking these gems just in case I forget what it's all about.