5 Day Pouch Test

Hi, I have a few questions about the 5 day pouch test.  Can banders use this test or is it designed specifically for GB patients?  Also, on day 3, soft proteins, it reads, "The next three days you get to eat as much as you want."  Do they really mean "next three days" or is it simply day 3?  Thanks!
Jules
www.5daypouchtest.com

We don't really  have a pouch like GB patients.  Ours is all about restriction...

What are you trying to do?

Hi Danielle, I don't know what I'm trying to do.    I have just about none to little restriction at this point and I was afraid I stretched whatever I have in there.  At one of the support meetings, someone mentioned that using this 5 day pouch test was good for lapbanders too go get us back on track and to tighten things up.  I'm almost positive I heard that but I could be mistaken.  I see Dr Giovanni on Monday and I know I'll get my 3rd fill.  I'm seeing a nutrionist (LOVE HER - she is on Cowesett Avenue - her name is Sarah and she works with all the WL surgeons in RI but especially with Drs. Giovanni and Pohl.  THey are having support group meetings geared to lapbanders.  In the winter, they are trying to organize something to meet to go water walking.  Anyway, where did my thoughts go............oh yah - the 5 day pouch test - I also figure that when I get fills - it's the diet I have to follow so I got some good ideas. 

How long did it take before you started to notice that you couldn't eat much? 

Thanks again, Danielle!
Jules

It took about 3 fills.  The fourth was the key for me.  You are better off easing into restriction then jumping in head first. 

I used the 5 day pouch test and I'm banded. It really helps you get focused and back on track again.

"Weight loss is not the intent of the 5 Day Pouch Test, however, many who have tried this plan report a significant drop in weight. More importantly they celebrate a renewed sense of control over their pouch and eating habits and easily transition back to a healthy post-surgical weight loss way of eating."

And yes, they mean for the following three days you can essentially "eat as much as you want" but...no drinking 30 minutes before, 30 minutes after or during and you only have 15 minutes to eat. keep in mind...with the band we can't eat fast anyway so in all actuality your not eating AS MUCH as you want. (Or think you want) We eat to live now, not live to eat.

All the pouch test is for, is to help you get leveled back at the point where you should be. (portion sizes and the right foods) I did it because I was spiraling out of control and eating ALL sliders and just junk in general IE. Ice Cream and Cookies dunked in milk, and said to myself "I've got to get back on track here, why did i get this band if I'm just going to sabotage myself". My intial thought...go back to the diet immediatley post op...2 liquids, mushies, semi solids and the solids. I was going to follow the nutritionst plan...that was going to be for almost three months and I didnt want to self destruct again...so I asked around on a few other sites, saw some people talking about it and did it.

Everyone is different and this is only my opinion but I did it and it helped me realize theres not as much protein and nutrients in a bowl of iced cream as there is in chicken...talk to a specialist if your not comfortable following it.



~Lauren

Hi Laura, thanks for your response.  That's exactly why I wanted to do the pouch test.  Right now I'm on liquids for 2 days (just had my 3rd fill) then softs so I figure I'll just keep going to get on track with the 5 day pouch test diet.  You're doing great!  Congrats!  Jules