Falling off the wagon

I have been eating a lot of junk food(i.e. cookies, chips). I have been feeling very remorseful today because of it. I seem to be hungry all the time. I still have not been able to tolerate the protein shakes, maybe that's why I feel hungry? Also, the scale has not moved in 9 days. I'm wondering if I need to take the size 12 suit back. Surely, I can't fail at this. how do you know if you have stretched your pouch?

Beejay, I eat 3 meals and 3 protein shakes a day and I rarely feel hungry between meals. There just isn't time for it. You are not failing! Do not beat yourself up. You've got to drop back and get with the program. You want to use your tool and get more weight off. Go back and follow the rules. Buy a bunch of protein samples and work hard to find something that you can tolerate. Try some unflavored unjury and mix it with Crystal Light - many folks like that. Try other flavors. If it doesn't taste good...add some SF syrups some some frozen fruits. Be creative - have fun. Work with it til you find something you like. Believe me, there is something out there that you can tolerate. I know alot of people talk about stretching the pouch but honestly...I don't know if we really can. The pouch will natural expand over time. It won't stay the size of your thumb as it started out. It will get up to probably hold 8 to 12 oz of food. That sounds like alot but considering that the average stomach started out holding 36 oz...that is a big change. Take things slowly. Get back to basics. Protein first, then non-starchy vegies, then fruits and only then grains. Drink lots of water between meals. And try to get the protein in. You do these things and the scale will move. Also realize that eating junky sugary foods triggers your cravings for more junky sugary foods. You have to go cold turkey and believe me - the cravings will stop. When you feel the need to eat something junky. STOP. Wait 15 minutes. Do something else. Take a walk. Dust the living room. Do some laundry. Distract yourself. If you are still hungry in 15 minutes - eat something high in protein. Often if you stop for 15 minutes...you realize it was head/boredom hunger and not physical hunger. You can do this!!! Best wishes, Kathy

Beejay, I am in total agreement with Kathy's post. I just would like to add that a lot of times when I get the snacking urge, I'm actually thirsty! If I force myself to drink a 17 oz bottle of water instead of snacking, the urge goes away. But, there are times I really have to force myself, because my "head hunger" is really powerful and calling me, so I just sit and sip my water. It isn't easy. But, we have gone through too much not to do all we can to make this a success. Hang in there. It will be so worth it one day! Lori 384/293/170

Beejay, Everything Kathy said and more. The surgery is a tool. Using the tool in the right ways is the only way to make it work. You would not use a screwdriver to do the work of a wrench. Don't beat yourself up for the slip. Realize it happened, figure out why and move on. You can overeat your pouch, but to do it you have to stuff yourself over and over again for a long period of time. Stop the junk now get back on the program and the scale will move again. Good luck and remember we are here for you, Kat