Calories, maintenance and goal

Iam getting close to goal, within 20 pounds and tge weight just isn't coming off. 

I am getting scared that I will have to stay uber low calorie for the rest of my life to maintain. Is that possible? 

Truly, one donut incident and I was up 3 pounds that I really had to lose. 

99% of the time I am under 800 calories and 40 carbs. This weekend I ate one day 70 carbs and 1100 calories a d I am up 2 pounds. 

Isit possible this is my forever? 

I don't know how far out you are -- and I can only speak to my own experience.  I see other people here that seem to be able to eat far more and maintain.  I love some of them but secretly want to smack them, too. (Yes, I am looking at you, Laura in Texas!!)

I have found that my maintenance calories are under 1150 calories.  It sucks.  To actually lose weight, I have to drop under 700 calories -- and 650 is optimal.  I have not eaten over 45 grams of carbs since WLS --  and I am usually at 800 calories and about 35-40 grams of carbs per day.

I track everything meticulously.  I weigh my food and have over 905 days logged into MyFitnessPal -- so I feel pretty confident in my numbers.  Like yourself, if I go over 1100 -- I will likely see it on the scale.  I would suggest however, tha****er fluctuations are more likely the cause than actual fat gain.

I went from 347 to my current weight of 138 to 145.  I would like to lose a bit more weight, but I really don't see how I can eat much less.  

So, I am sorry to say, at least for me -- this is my "forever"

Funny!! Thanks for the shout-out!! 

I'd be curious to see your menu on days in which you eat 650-800 cal.  I haven't done that since just out of surgery within the first year out.  Can you share your menu?

    Totals:                                                         636      18g      33g    64g         423g       1667 mg    13g         0g

That's just crazy to me.  What a beautifully maintained food list. At this point I think I am in awe and I am not sure what the original topic of discussion was.

It's possible, but it's the one thing that truly is individual. I've seen really large differences in how many calories it takes to maintain -- like 75% more or less than someone else. It really is just trial and error to see what works. Then you have to decide how hard you want to work to maintain a particular weight.

I do see some differences in maintenance calories based on percentages of protein and fats versus carbs. Extra carbs often seems to mean fewer calories. But the facts get a little fuzzier.

My sympathy goes to you. I too struggle. It is nice to read replies and know others have the same issue though. I watch other people, some of them very skinny and a post WLS friend and they eat 3-4 times as much as I do and weigh less or the same as I do. For some of us it is a lifelong battle even after surgery. Surgery has made it an easier battle though as well as making us far more aware day after day of what we eat.

Hang in there and look at the positives that have come from your efforts.

I eat a ton of food and never count calories and stay under 140 lbs ( I'm five foot nine inches ) size xs.

Part of having a fast metabolism is working for it - I used to be a competitive athlete and still have a ton of muscle .  I also had most of my empty fat cells removed via liposuction and plastic surgery and that helps a lot both hormone wise and because there is nothing  crying to be filled up ( and excreting extra estrogen)

Food choice wise this is what works for me post op.  I try to stay away from ( oil-filled) buffets and ( oily) restaurant food as much as possible . At home I cook without oil . I eat a lot of fresh food particularly vegetables and cook oriental type stir fries and soups often.

I don't overload on protein but do drink fresh vegetable juices ( relatively low carb low sugar ones ) during the course of the day . 

Empty calorie wise my biggest indulgence is alcohol and I do notice myself getting plumper  when I drink too much too often.  A nice long rollerblading workout helps with that ..

Are you drunk when you roller blade?