How much food at one time

Really? How so?

Because as it is you're consuming such free calories than when you go on maintenance your body could have a huge rebound. Talk to your nutritionist. I'm surprised you weren't already told this.

She was clear about it for me.

I'll ask For sure at my 6 month apt next week. Thanks! I'm not sure I understand though. Are you talking about malabsorption going away? 

Or that I would increase my calories so much, that I would gain weight?

I added up the calories in the sample menus  they provided, and they are about 700-750 ish range. 

my understanding of maintenance, is that once I reach my goal weight, I will increase my calories gradually until I reach a point where I am maintaining at that weight ( most vets seem to pick a range rather than a specific weight).