Hey guys, this worked for me!

I wanted to share something I found over on the Cali Board. I had gone back up to 151 in the past month, gaining I think about 8 lbs. In total I was up 13 from my lowest. At one point I thought it was only 12 lbs but then I found where I had actually gotten down to 138 at one point. So anyways I hit the gym HARD 2 weeks ago and lost a few pounds. Then somebody posted this 5 day Pouch test. Mainly to reset your mindframe about the amount of foods to eat and to break the carb cycle. The first two days were hard but well worth it. Once I was eating solids again I definately felt fuller. I am down 7 lbs now and still losing. Maybe this will help some of you refocus! I'm not on it this week, I'm getting ready to run a 1/2 marathon on Monday so I've been eating more solid proteins and some carbs. But I know I will be doing it in the again in the next few weeks. Best of luck! Days One & Two: Liquid Protein The first two days are all liquids. You can have as many low-carb protein shakes as you like to satisfy hunger or cravings. In addition drink at least six 8-ounce glasses of water each day. The purpose of all liquids is to break any snacking, grazing or processed carbohydrate habits. In addition the liquids will work to cleanse your system and prepare you for the following three days. Try to reduce your caffeine intake as well, but do not stop caffeine cold turkey or you will feel sick and frustrated potentially losing the desire to continue with the pouch test. If you notice symptoms of carbohydrate withdrawal you can eat a small piece of melon or an orange. You can also try a dose of Emergen-C which should reduce headache, dizziness or cramping from carbohydrate withdrawal. The next three days you get to eat as much as you want as often as you want! Ahhh, but there's a catch: it has to be solid protein and you only get 15 minutes each time you sit down to eat. Day 3: Soft Protein Protein Recommendations: canned fish (tuna or salmon) mixed with lemon and seasoned with salt and pepper, eggs cooked as desired seasoned with salt pepper and/or salsa, fresh soft fish (tilapia, sole, orange roughy), baked or grilled, and lightly seasoned. This starts your program with "soft" protein. Measure your portion (1 cup volume or 4-6 ounces weight) and eat only until you feel full, not overfull. Remember, no water for 30 minutes before or after you meal, and no fluids with your meal. We are going back to the beginning and fluids will prevent you from feeling the pouch. If you need to add a bit of Miracle Whip or mayonnaise to the canned fish I understand, but keep it to a minimum so the meat is not too moist. One reason we lose the sense of tightness in our pouch is that we eat "slider foods" - foods that are too moist and do not stay in the pouch very long, they slide right through the stoma. Day 4: Firm Protein Protein Recommendations: ground meat (beef, turkey, lamb) cooked dry and lightly seasoned, shellfish, scallops, lobster steamed and seasoned only with lemon, salmon or halibut steaks, grilled and lightly seasoned. By now you should be experiencing that familiar tightness that will reassure you that your pouch is working. Remember to drink plenty of water between meals. Take some time to meditate and rediscover the wonder of your pouch. Often we don't like that uncomfortable tightness of the pouch, which is why we gradually move toward slider foods that don't make us uncomfortable. It is always my preference to eat moist protein so I don't get uncomfortable, but this allows me to consume more than I should. Rediscovering the pouch with this 5-day plan reminds me of how the tool really works. I hope by now you are rediscovering your tool and enjoying the hope and excitement because your pouch still works. A word about constipation: A shift to high protein diet often results in constipation. To relieve this you may try adding a fibrous fruit snack to your morning and a fibrous vegetable snack in the afternoon. Fruit suggestions are apples, berries, apricots, cantaloupe or oranges. For vegetables try leafy greens, zucchini, cucumbers, spinach, summer squash or string beans. Day 5: Solid Protein Protein Recommendations: white meat poultry cooked dry and lightly seasoned, beef steak (if tolerated) grilled or broiled. Remember to chew chew chew. Measure your portion (4-6 ounces) and eat only until you feel your pouch tighten. Remember, only 15 minutes per meal, so you'll have to work fast to chew your food completely. By now you should be out of any carb cycle you were in and perhaps you have lost a pound or two. You will have new confidence in your pouch and your ability to work the tool for your health and emotional well being.

Hey Dana! I have done the pouch test and it actually works well -- much better for me than the back to basics. The first day of nothing but shakes was a little rough, but by the time Day 3 rolled around, I found I was filling up much more quickly again with less food and by Day 5 I felt like a new post-op again. I did this because staying home for so long after the body lift introduced some old bad habits and I wanted to break the cycle. I'm not really watching my weight right now because of the post-op swelling, but I didn't want any nasty suprise pounds to creep back on. Lisa

I definately will try this. Thanks for letting me know. I have been bouncing between 134-144 for months now and would love to drop down somemore...My struggles are grazing at night..... Hugs, Chris

I graze some at night, but I make it part of my daily plan. Have you tried popcorn? You can sit and eat it all you want. It takes care of the crunchy needs, the hand to mouth need and sometmes the hungry needs too. I use the I can't believe it's not butter spray and a microwave popcorn popper, so all I am eating is whole grain popcorn. It also acts like a carb to your mind, but it is a good carb. Just thought I would throw that out there. It seems to be ok for me, I am at the same weight now for several months, even starting to drive a truck route, where I like to snack alot since I don't smoke anymore. Good luck

Thanks Dana Maybe this is what I need. I think I will give it a try. Hugs, Ronna