My simple, but relevant response.
Argument: When you stop using gear, eventually your gains will disappear and subside over time.
Counter-point: When you haven't used gear and deviate from a solid training regime to life as a non-trainer/non-lifter, your gains subside over time, and you might even one day look nothing like you ever lifted the first weight.
My conclusion: In either case, it all comes down to how hard you work on the maintenance angle.