What did you change at goal?

I'm not yet an official "WLS Graduate", at a little over 10 months out of surgery.  But, I asked a question on the lap band forum that didn't get much of a response, and I'm hoping to get some info from some of you here.   I reached goal weight a little over a month ago.  I've lost about 5 lbs. since then, and really don't want to lose any more right now.  Someone on the lap band forum recommended that I get a slight unfill, but warned against going for a complete unfill because she said that can lead to possible slips.  She said I need to eat more than I've been eating, but on the other hand, she warned about the possibility of pouch dilation if I increase portion sizes too much.  So, if you're a lap bander maintaining at goal, can you please tell me how you handled reaching goal?  Did you get an unfill?  Do you have any fill now, if so, how much?  How much food do you eat at a sitting?  How often?   I'm having a really hard time dealing with this transition.  I'm so afraid of dropping back into old, bad habits and regaining the weight, yet I don't want to continue to lose, either.  Any advice? (Edit to add:  I'd love to hear from others, too, not just lap banders.  We might not share the issues regarding fill amounts, but we all have to deal with adding back food without going hog wild! ) Tami

If I were you, I'd make an appointment to see a nutritionist.  You need to have some guidelines based on your individual needs.  Not everyone has the same caloric, fat, protein, and carb needs.   If a nutritionist is not an option, I suggest you take a look at sparkpeople.com.  They will allow you to customize a diet based on your weight, goals, and exercise.  I log my food there religiously. I'm an RNY patient.  I hit goal at 11 months post op and continued to drop.  I exercise a lot.  I've been body building too.  I had to increase my calories a little at a time until I finally got to the magic number to maintain.  I started by adding fresh fruit and other complex carbs.  I also added a little more fat back into my diet.  Curently (dare I say it ... yes I do) I eat between 2700-3000 calories a day.  Even eating that much, I make all my choices good, healthy choices.  I have my bad day now and again, but the good ones FAR outweigh them. When I went to sparkpeople.com and entered my weight and actual exercise routine, it hit the calories I need dead on the money.  It also gave me a range for fat, carbs, and protein.  I've been using those number and they are working thus far.  If I change my exercise routine, I'll update and it will give me a new goal range.   Good luck!

Thanks, Terri.  I appreciate your response.  I think your suggestion to see a nutritionist is a good one.  I visited with one several months ago, and had a Basal Metabolic Test done.  I know my BMR has changed, though, with the weight loss.   I  use SparkPeople occasionally.  It's a great site for getting a better idea of what I'm really eating!  I know I could make better use of that site, though, if I'd take the time. 

Tami