The 5 Day Pouch Test ... uhh.. thingie

How much weight did you lose? (drum roll.......) (Hiding behind my doggie.....) (ahem) 16 pounds! (running for cover!.......)

Okay....I am soooo impresed with your results.....that I am going to try it starting tomorrow,..,actually the convincing part was the lack of gas....I am so sick of it. and the multiple stools everyday that...and I thank you very much for the "TMI" ...it was very convincing for me......it will be a HUGE challange...but I am inspired by you....BTW...I love your pens...you are really an artist.....I am so happy you are on our Forum now....I also really appreciate all you give to us....Thanks. Marti

I hear ya Marti... this has been a nice break from living on the porcelain throne doing Sudoku puzzles.. although I was getting pretty good at them "but I am inspired by you" You're making me blush... still sunburned but under this red face is a red face! Thanks so much... I really appreciate it. It took a few years to get to "this level" and I have many years to go to get better and more creative at it... but the journey is fun! Did this one day before yesterday... and am working on a pen for my preacher made from Bethlehem olive wood... took 4 months to get it shipped to me! http://www.woodhelp.com/Cigar3-17-08.jpg "I also really appreciate all you give to us" You all have given me new hope and a place to learn and a fellowship with others in the same boat as me... it sure helps!

Well I triked the message board link but didn't find the 5 day test.   What exactly are you talking about?    I am 1 1/2 years out.   Lost 160 lbs, but lately have been hovering at the same weight.   Probably by choice.   So much loose skin - ugh and with my age (59) I don't want to look gaunt.   But, I would like to lose about 10 more lbs before going to Dr. for 18 month check up and preparation for belly cut off and major hernia repair.   Would love a response.   Thanks so much.

I am not real sure if the 5 day pouch test should be used as a quick weight loss program... it's really for people like me who have lost touch with the pouch, overeat, drink water with the meals, etc... If you are following the WLS rules your surgeon or Nut gave  you then you are just at a plateau...

Thanks for the reply, but I do drink with meals and I do overeat.

Here you go.... it worked real well for me and got me back on track... Days One & Two: Liquid Protein low-carb protein shakes, broth, clear or cream soups, sugar-free gelatin and pudding. 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. It is very important to drink a minimum of 64 ounces of water each day. This will prevent dehydration, will help curb cravings and will flush your body of toxins and fat. Sufficien****er intake improves kidney function and cell processes. 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. Feeling nauseated? Try sipping some freshly brewed warm green tea. You can add fresh ginger juice to further ease the symptoms of stomach distress and nausea. The nauesea may be the result of a switch from carbohydrate slider foods to richer proteins and the ingredients in the protein shakes. Day 3: Soft Protein Canned fish (tuna or salmon) eggs, fresh soft fish (tilapia, sole, orange roughy. 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. No drinking 30 minutes before or after meals and no drinking with your food. A dry pouch will hold your soft protein longer helping your to feel full and fed longer. 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 moist condiment ( 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. Hints & Tips for Success with the 5 Day Pouch Test From Amy: On day 3, is cottage cheese o.k. for soft protein? When I was first starting my wls diet, it included cottage cheese, but that wasn't on your list. Also, when you are doing the liquid part of the diet, can you drink chicken boullion with protein added to it? Kaye Answers: Amy - Cottage cheese is a good protein and you can include it on Day 3. I didn't have it on the list because it is considered by some to be a slider food. To firm it up a bit you could add a chopped hard cooked egg to your cottage cheese. And yes, during the liquid phase chicken boullion with added protein is great. Recipes for Day 3 I don't like canned fish. What can I have in place of the canned tuna or salmon? Try canned turkey or chicken. Day 4: Firm Protein ground meat (turkey, beef, chicken, lamb), shellfish, scallops, lobster, fresh salmon or halibut. 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 doing so 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. Encouraging Words from Kaye There are two things I know about human nature. First, nobody ever wakes up and declares, "Today is the day I will relax my enthusiasm and get off track." Second, nobody ever wakes up and gets back on track without first saying, "Today is the day I get back on track and I have a plan." Falling off track happens without a plan or script. Getting back on track requires a conscious decision, a carefully designed plan and the determination to make it happen. Why do we fall off track? There are hundreds of reasons: stress, complacency, happiness, grief, celebrations, devastations, distractions and reactions. Nobody wants to fall of track, but life is full of twists and turns that disrupt our focus. It makes me sad when people talk about shame and failure when they have left the weight loss surgery track for a myriad of reasons. This is not a cause for shame or failure, this is a fact of humanity and indeed of living. But human nature is also resilient and powerful. We have the ability to recover from set backs time and time again. While you are doing the 5 Day Pouch Test I encourage you to create an inner storm of enthusiasm and hope and energy. Go back to those pre-op and early post-op days and live that moment over again. Read motivational articles and visit the Neighborhood forum. Talk to pre-ops and newbies. Look at your before and after pictures. You can go back and you can use this surgical tool to lose weight, become healthier and feel good about yourself. Day 5: Solid Protein white meat poultry, beef steak, pork, lamb, wild game  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. Day 5 Poultry Recipes Don't go hungry! Remember, you can eat as often as you want as long as it is solid protein, consumed without liquids and measured in 4-6 ounce portions.

DAAAAAAAAAAAAAMN BOY!   YOU DONE GOOD!  Maybe I should give this a whirl!  I'd really like to lose 8 more lbs. to get down to 130.  MOST days I don't eat many carbs at all but yesterday was NOT one of them!  I find that when I'm really PO'd the carbs go down way too easy! Judy