OK, I HOPE SOMEBODY CAN ANSWER THIS

I am  15 months out and just 10 lbs from my goal weight but terrified of maintenance.  My question is: 

WHAT DO I DO NOW, HOW DO I MAINTAIN?  I know I need to continue exercising, but how much do I eat?

SW 350
CW 180
GW 170

TOTAL LOSS:  170

When I met with the bariatric group nutritionist (pre-plastic surgery), she said 1500 calories was considered the maintenance daily goal.  I keep finding myself creeping up in total calories and breaking the rules (too many carbs) a couple of days per week.  I am terrified too; though I have maintained right around 150lbs since October. 

Thank you for your response.  

There is something called the BMR or basal metabolic rate, which will tell you how many calories you need to eat to maintain/lose weight.  I am going to calculate mine as soon as I lose these last 5 lbs.  Hopefully that will help me maintain.  As for the carbs I have problems with those too.  I just crave them like a maniac and I find them to be so much easier to digest than some of the proteins, but I gotta be strong because nothing taste as good as being thin.

So... how's it going?

I haven't found that calculating my BMR via a formula works very well. Instead, when I got to point where I didn't want to lose any more, I slowly upped my calories, 100-200 at a time and stopped when I got to a point where I wasn't losing weight any more.

That put me in the 1500-1700 range on days when I don't exercise.

It's going great.  I reached my goal and now I am ranging between 5 and 9 lbs below my goal. 

I spoke with the nurse about the BMR and she said I would not be able to eat that much food and she is right.  So I increased mine by about 200 to 300 cal. 

I can't believe I am saying this but I just don't want to lose anymore weight.  I went from a size 30 (4x) to a size 8 and I am about 5'9.

By the way, your results are awesome!

Thanks!

Isn't it great to be in this place? I also am trying not to lose too much more. I want to build up my muscles so I get faster at my races (I do triathlons). So I'm actually *forcing* myself to eat. Who would have thunk it?!

It is just amazing, from a size 4x to a size 8.  And believe me all I ever imagined being  was a size 14. 

And you lady are just a petitte little thing yourself.  Thank God, thank science thank the Drs for giving us a 2nd chance at health,  happiness, self confidence and life in general.

Good luck with your triathions!