Question for Maintainers

I am considering VSG and by reading your wonderful maintenance board it seems like (a) most of the loss happens in the first year and (b) successful maintenance doesn't look tons different from the losing phase, once you get beyond the initial healing and adjustment phase.  Am I seeing this correctly based on your experience? 

Because if so, it then seems to me that my job would be to be as focused and diligent as possible early on to lose as much weight as possible in the first year, then I could maintain at that lower level once I'd stabilized.  If I'm going to do this, I want to get the most out of it.  I know I will need to have a food plan for the rest of my life.

In my experience, you have pretty much nailed it!  Many can lose well beyond a year, but many including myself got to goal within the first year.  I found losing easier than maintenance, but I'm probably pushing my luck a little in the maintenance to see just how much I can get away with.  Once you've eaten some dangerous food (for me chips, others sweets etc), it seems a little harder to stay away from them, but you will still get full much faster.  I would highly recommend to milk the first year or so for what you can and don't introduce any of your trigger foods for as long as you can.  I think I hear chips calling my name now , but I'm not listening because I just filled up on protein!

I agree.  Maintenance is very similar to my losing stage.  My surgeon believes in no "bad" foods, all within moderation.  I stressed changing my eating habits for a new way of living, and it's working.  I never feel deprived.  I have my wine and my dessert, but not every day, and I'm satisfied with a taste.   The sleeve made that possible.  I eat sensibly, but allow myself treats every now and then.  I could never have that control before my sleeve.  Now, chocolate is a "bad" word for me :)

I think you are very wise to be looking at the long term from the start.  Depending on your current BMI, the majority of your weight loss would happen not in the first year, but really in the first six months.  I lost 93 lbs. in those first six months and made it to goal in 6.5 months.  It will never be easier to lose weight than during that time.  I would absolutely maximize your first six months by staying on a very low calorie and low carb program.  Do not push yourself to eat more, do not try to increase calories even when in the beginning you are taking in so very little.  Go with your lack of appetite, it doesn't always last that way.  Do not increase calories during stall, as the starvation hypothesis is a myth and drink like a fish.  Make sure you are getting enough protein, at least 65 g. a day and start eating rather than drinking your calories as soon as you can.  Six months later, you will be at goal if you are a lightweight or well on your way if you are a heavy weight.  There is a lot more to this journey, like head hunger and recognizing real hunger and dealing with new emotions, but I'll save that for another reply.  :)  Good luck to you and I think you have your head in the right place to make a success of this.

Thank you! Thank you!  I'm about 275 right now - 295 highest ever, about 8 years ago.  I got down to 175 in my 20s and maintained there for quite a while (7 years more or less), but 260-270 is my "setpoint" weight.  I was at 254 when I graduated high school and I'm 51 now.