Worried & Concerned

Hi Everyone,
I will be three years post op at the beginning of June & l am starting to see things change.  I have to be honest & admit that my eating habits have not always been the best since my surgery.  I dont over eat but I sometimes chose the wrong foods over the good foods (such as cookies instead of supper).  I also have major issues with consuming enough water & have been at the emergency for a backed up bowel a couple of times.  My biggest concern lately is that I find not only can I eat more per sitting but I WANT to eat more. 
I see many of you on here that are many more years post op & are still at your goal weights & I want to be one of you.  I have gained roughly 18 pounds over the last year & I know its not a huge amount but it is enouhg to have me worried.  I know old habits die hard & I don't want to just continue to let the pounds creep back on.
I get more than enough exercise (I think I am kind of addicted to that now!) but it is in the food & water where I struggle.  What are your thoughts on the 7 day pouch test diet?  Any other advice?
Thank you everyone.  It is so much appreciated as I dont really have anyone here to talk to.  My husband is a big support but his advice is just don't eat it.  Period. 
I know he is right but if I could just do that years ago I never would have got to the point where I had to have surgery.
PP

I can only tell you what I do and what works for me, I have never regained more then 10lbs since I reached my goal, but I know it could easily get out of control.  I was hooked on my protein bars, I thought it was the easy way to hit my protein numbers but realistically its like crack for wls patients.  I have since given up all protein bars, processed food and white carbs.  I try to eat everything low fat and low carb, fresh fruit, veggies and meat, salad, greek yogurt and I am not hungry nor do I feel like I want to eat more.  The carbs make you crave carbs, you have to do away with them all, once you break the cycle you will feel so much better, I stopped feeling bloated and miserable with all the terrible stinky gas.  You can do it, if I can anyone can.

Good Luck.

What I have done is I never let myself get over 5 lbs. more than I want to be.  If I do I do several days of soup only.  I drink a milk, banana, protein shake for breakfast then soup the rest of the day.  It will take several days for it to start to have an affect, but it works for me.

Everyone is so different it is hard to say what will work or not work.  If you try the soup trick just don't have any cremed soup.   You really have to be patient. 

As for working out, I do Zumba Dance 5 days/week and walk 3-5 miles on days when the wind isn't blowing 30  MPH which it often does this time of year.

Best wishes and keep your head up.

THanks guys!
I will give some of this a shot.
Much appreciated.

Penny, I don't want this to come off judgmental, but it sounds like you know the mechanics and the routine, but that your head is keeping you from following it.

Have you considered counseling to figure out why you're letting that happen? That may be useful for you, particularly if the issues were not dealt with when you had your surgery.

That is not judgemental at all & probably right on the mark.
I have done counselling.  Hell I have been in counselling most of my life :(
But more is obviously needed.
I am sure it would help!