FOLLOWING POUCH RULES

Who still: 1. Waits 30 mins before and up to an hour after meals to drink? 2. avoids caffeine, alcohol and cigarettes? 3. Exercises 4. Vitamins 5. Exercises 6. is losing weight? 7. Does Plateau buster diet to get off plateau? 8. tries to keep their pouch between 3-5oz? 9. Protein, Protein Protein first and foremost... 10. NO CARBS...or little as possible... I'm slipping especially during the holidays (sweets, overeating, not exercising, alcohol & cigarettes)... I'm trying to get back on track. I've printed out the pouch rules, bought some beef jerky, and am pulling out the protein from the shelf... I need and to know I'm not the only one... ~beth~

Don't worry Girl you are not alone Here in Germany with all the Christmas market and wine is not easy in the holidays. I been very good for 11 months. I will try to keep on track but I am not get crazy about it. I will try to enjoy the holidays and get back on track after. Hugs From Germany BTW you look fantastic girl. Vanessa

Okay not me! However, I never avoided carbs, I jus****ched it somewhat. I haven't excersized much at all throughout the whole thing, I don't drink much anyway other than socialy and thats very little and I don't smoke. I do eat sweets just in moderation. I eat them with splenda too or some kind of sugar substitue but I do eat normal sweets I don't dump much but I haven't severley pushed it either it takes over 20 or so grams of sugar for me to dump. And then its not bad unless its over 30 or so! Wish I did. I do eat protien first always, the pouch rules are suppose to change at 6mo out so from what I understand you are suppose to drink the whole time up until you eat and then 10 or 15 min before your meal you water load to keep from eating so much. I try to wait at least 30 min before I drink after meals sometimes 45 but its hard. Yes I'm still losing thank God but I haven't lost 100lbs yet either. Vitamins I forget all the time! Its really bad but I do I just can't remember. Pouch between 3-5oz? Heh well considering mine was made 3oz in the begining unfortunatly thats not an option. I hate that! It seems like I already had on foot in the door as far as diffiuculty of losing right off. And that stuff about its not the size of the pouch its how you use it well if that was true then why did we have this surgery to get a BIG pouch reduced??? Hope that helps! Marti

I have fallen a little bit off the wagon myself this week...I am exercising 5 days a week but have eaten sugar things this past few days because of all the treats at work. I have stopped losing weight this month and really need to get back on track. I can't believe I have done all this to lose 125 lbs so far and am having a handful of carmel corn or a cookie this week. We can do this. I just wanted you to know your not alone!

Hi Beth, Why don't you share the pouch rules with us? I know I could use a reminder, especially now during the holiday season. Take care God bless, Syndi

I can't find them, they're at home Anyone have them on hand to share so I can print them out?

I pretty much follow the program however I do drink coffee again. I just like it too much. It is definately tough right now with all of the food in the office, and parties and lunches. I am still doing better this year than last. I try not to beat myself up so much because I only think it makes things worse. As long as you realize what you are doing and then learn from it and move on we'll be okay. Margo 334/313/207/160???

Lets us I do not usually wait on the drinking but I avoid caffeine and cigarettes, and alcohol all together. I do exercise daily. Walking etc. I lose weight and I have never done a plateau buster. I just usually try to up the protein if I can. I have not cheated at all during these holidays with eating sweets either. I am a teacher and alot of the parents sent in cookies or sweets and I just brought them home and handed them to my husband to eat or take to his work. Suzanne 300/164/150

Ok, true confession time and I'll fess up. To answer your questions, I: 1. Drink up until my meals but have to wait at least an hour to drink afterwards or I get sick. 2. Don't drink alcohol or smoke, but started drinking coffee again at 6 months postop. I don't drink carbonated beverages or use straws. 3. Exercise 4-5 days a week, but due to work travel and being sick in September and October really fell off the wagon during those months. Back on my exercise routine for the past 6 weeks. 4. Take my vitamins faithfully! 5. Exercise same as #3 6. Haven't lost any weight this month and loss really has slowed down since I'm close to goal. Doubt I'll lose any this month cause I've been too lax in my eating lately with all the holiday parties and goodies. As long as I maintain this month and don't gain I'm not going to sweat it too much. 7. Haven't done an official Plateau Buster diet yet, but probably will try it in January! 8 Only eating 3-5 oz per meal...feel really sick (and occassionally puke) if I pu**** beyond that. 9. Still doing protein and have 2 protein drinks a day because pouchie still doesn't like a lot of things (or textures). 10. CARBS - my nemesis!!! For many months postop most of my carbs came from nonfat dairy and fruit/veggies, but have been eating more cereal, crackers, some bread and sugar in the past few months. So I would say I follow the pouch rules about 75% of the time. Good luck on getting back on track...you can do it!!! Mary Ellen 280/163/160

Beth, Here goes for me: 1. Waits 30 mins before and up to an hour after meals to drink? I don't wait before I eat but after I drink I do wait 45min.-1 hour to drink anything. 2. avoids caffeine, alcohol and cigarettes? I avoid all of these. 3. Exercises: I was so good about this until a few weeks ago but I am getting back into it. 4. Vitamins: I take them everyday. I have only missed iron & multivitamin twice in almost 11 months. 5. Exercises: Same as number 3. 6. is losing weight? I am still losing just at a slower pace. 7. Does Plateau buster diet to get off plateau? Not ever tried this. 8. tries to keep their pouch between 3-5oz? Yes, mostly try to stay at about 4 oz. 9. Protein, Protein Protein first and foremost...: Yes protein is my main priority!!!! I sometimes look at food and think it is not worth it because there isn't much protein. 10. NO CARBS...or little as possible...: I do some carbs, I try to eat wheat bread at home and then if I get a burger at a resturant then I eat half of the white bun. Well that is it for me! I do eat some sweets but in moderation and not very often. This is a new life and I don't want to ruin it. I am very careful with what I eat. I haven't been sick or dumped yet and I don't want to either!! Becky P. 271/155.5 (below Dr.'s goal of 160)