Questions for those who are maintaining

What is your maintenance diet like compared to when you were losing weight? 

Do you count calories or points and if so, do you get more now than when you were actively losing? If so, how much more per day?

Did you get your band loosened to allow you to eat more since you were no longer trying to lose? 

Anything else you want to share? 

I don't count anything - but then I never really did while losing! I just try to eat sensibly.

In reality, I tend to do what all my (slim) friends do. that is, I eat fairly well, then I eat not too well, then I realise I have gained a few pounds so I lose them again!

And I would never dream of getting my band loosened! For me that woudl be disaster!

Works for me!  Kate

What is your maintenance diet like compared to when you were losing weight?
-Basically the same.

Do you count calories or points and if so, do you get more now than when you were actively losing? If so, how much more per day?
-Nope. I've never, never counted calories or "dieted" so to speak with this band. My clinic always said eat until your satisfied and don't count calories. So I haven't and don't want to. I probably do get more calories per day than I did during my weight loss phase, but in all reality, it's probably about the same amount of calories, now just coming from different sources. (I don't diet- I eat everything in moderation.)

Did you get your band loosened to allow you to eat more since you were no longer trying to lose?
-No, I didn't get it loosened, but I haven't had a fill since October 2009 (my band is at 8.1mL out of 10mL). I wanted it kept it at a level where I can tolerate bread, rice, pasta and carbonated beverages if I so choose.

Good luck!

I've been on maintenance for about a year and still find myself 10 pounds below my doctor's goal weight, I'm at my personal goal weight.  I think the key to it is never deviating from what you learned while losing the weight.  If you get off what you've learned, then it's simply a diet.  This lap band of mine gave me the TOOL to give me the lifestyle change that I needed in order to live healthier and live a better life. 
My surgeon did give me a 1 cc unfill about 6 months ago, he's also so concerned for me (I see him everyday, I am a nurse on the bariatric unit of the hospital he works at and he also got me my current job as a bariatric surgery coordinator!) so now I am left to keep on making the smarter choices, but now it's second nature to me.

I don't count calories, because by now, I just know what is basically good for me and what I should avoid... but I do indulge once in a blue moon but not in the quantities that I used to have prior to surgery.

Hope that helps

Take care,
Jan

I don't even count calories. I don't count protein anymore either, I have been doing it for so long I can eyeball food and know if I am getting enough protein.

My maintenance plan has worked well for over 3 years, I just avoid flour and sugar. I'm not a fan of potatoes or rice or I'd be watching that as well.