Pouch Rules and Common Sense: What's More Important the End Result or the Journey.

The Truth About WLS:  There’s a Catch!

When I was researching WLS, I blurred over the information that said things like you have a window of time to lose the weight before your intestine becomes more efficient at absorbing the calories.  You have to exercise and change your mind if you are going to be successful—this is a tool.  All of that stuff sort of passed by me.  And, when the old timers on the board talked about weight gain or not reaching goal, I said that’s them and will never be me.  And, then I had the ulcer so the reaching goal was not hard for me because of me not being able to eat or hold anything down.  But, when they repaired my pouch or gave me another one, they gave me more intestines to absorb more and after the tubes came out and I was able to eat, I became alarmed at how fast I could gain weight.  I had a lot to gain, because for those of you who were not on the board during that time, I lost below 100 pounds, and they gave me a feeding tube and it allowed me to gain some weight back after they revised my gut, I began eating and gaining until I got up to 135 and I thought, I need to stay here and wrong, I went up to 145 and even got to 155 before I said, hold on cow girl, you ain’t going there.  So, I started back researching what it was that I had forgotten, so here it is:

Your intestine will evolve into a better absorption machine, so take advantage of the window—about 9 months to a year of rapid weight loss.  After that, your body catches on and you will start losing more slowly the further out you go until eventually, your easy weight loss stops and you are on the same playing field as non-weight loss folks.  But, you still have your tool and you still cannot over eat if you take care of your tool and follow the rules. 

Rule One:  So, make sure you don’t drink while you are eating your high protein diet.  And, I know I am going to get flamed for this but my nutritionists and my WLS  surgeon both told me that after the first few months, you do not need to drink the protein shakes—they are easy calories that you drink and they are already partially digested so when your intestine begins working well, you are dumping a large amount of calories that almost all are absorbed…when if you eat a piece of meat or cheese, you are still not as likely to absorb it as much and you won’t want to eat anything else because meat and cheese stay in the pouch longer, making you feel full.  I know a lot of folks still rely upon the protein shake as a snack or as a breakfast drink with a muffin—do the calorie count and realize that all of it gets absorbed. 

Rule Two:  Drink a lot of water—and I mean a lot of water.  If you fill up on water between meals, you are less likely to snack.  Measure out your water and don’t go to bed until you have finished that last drop.  A few days ago, my friends and I went for a free makeover at the mall and the lady who did our facials couldn’t believe that I am almost 57.  She kept saying, you have only fine lines and no crow’s feet.  She said, I bet you drink a lot of water and I said, yep, I do.  So, it not only keeps the body going, it keeps the skin in a good shape too.

Rule Three: Avoid glider foods.  If you can eat more than a bite or two of these things and not feel your pouch getting full, DO NOT EAT THEM.  That’s chips, crackers, cookies, mashed potatoes, fried potatoes, etc.  If you must snack, do so with raw vegetables, cheese, fruit, raisins, peanut butter, or meat.  Avoid anything that doesn’t make your pouch say, ouch. 

Rule Four:  You have to count your food parts every single day.  Write it down; become proactive in your journey.  I have a calorie counter app on my phone and I record every single bite of food.  Plus, I keep a journal that I record everything I do as far as exercising and eating. 

Rule Five:  You have to exercise.  My first few months after wls were wonderful; the weight flew off of me without little effort on my part.  My doctor said, you better start exercising or you are going to hit stalls and soon start gaining.  So, I go to the gym every single day: MWF are my treadmill days and TTH are my dance days.  I do Yoga every single morning and I am in a dance class for fun.  At first, I resisted the exercise because I just didn’t want to bother with it.  I kept thinking I would rearrange my calories or my liquids and things would work again—read the board and read about those who are losing and those who are staying the same and those who are gaining and if they are honest, they are not exercising.  I know you guys think you have a valid reason for not working it, but I have rheumatoid arthritis, a steel rod in my back, and some disk that are needing cleaning out, so I know about pain and how much it hurts.  I know that it is hard to do things when we hurt, but let me remind you all how much we hurt when we were super morbidly obese.  And weight does creep up on you and you will get use to it and say, okay, so my panties are a little tight, and so I cannot wear my size ten pants, so what a size 12 isn’t like a size 24—but let me tell you that rationalizing your size increase by saying it isn’t a size 24 is building the stair case to the 24.  Once you gain a size up or two, your self esteem begins to suffer and your friends begin to look at you and you begin to think that they think you cannot even keep the weight off with wls, so you lose your confidence and your vision—what are your visions? 

Rule Six: EAT FROM A SMALL PLATE.  I cannot say this enough—if you are only supposed to eat about a cup of food at a meal, or for me ¾ cup of food, do not put more than a cup of food in your plate, so use a small plate.  Put the meat all cup up on one side and the green vegetable on the other and once you eat it all, don’t get seconds—never get seconds.

Rule Seven: You are your own team, your own coach, and your own cheerleader.  If you think you need a partner to exercise or to account to for your weight loss or gain you are going to be sadly disappointed.  You are responsible for your own success so go to the gym and go alone—what’s the deal about going to the gym alone or for a mall walk alone?  You have all the control with the time, how long you stay, how long you take to walk to the parking lot and all of that stuff.  Plus, it is so much more fun to enjoy the endorphins from walking/running if you do not have to talk to someone. 

 

Make your new year’s resolution to get back to the pouch basics.  And, if any of you have a rule that I have overlooked, please post it.  

This is very good advice, Jeannie!  Thanks for sharing.  I have printed off the seven rules and will keep them handy for this next year. 

Vickie,

It always helps me when I write it down.  I'm a very visual learner so writing it helps me remember what it is that I am trying to do here.  I tell myself over and over: I didn't go through the wls and all my complications to even be overweight.  So, I make lists, keep journals, and put up reminders of what I am doing and what I need to do.  It doesn't hurt and if it works, why not.  I have lists on my refrigerator that remind me what foods burn calories to digests and what foods are supposed to be more harmful on the abdominal area.  Yep, I try it all.   

All oh so true. . . Been there, done most of it, still trying to retrain my head and take care of this marvelous tool. Head is on straighter than it was a few weeks ago. New meds are helping the restless legs, anxiety, and insomnia. . . . Go figure. Hate taking the stuff but it appears to be working. I can't believe that what with all the hoopla around here the past two weeks I've actually lost 2 pounds. Can it really be post "company, baking, cooking" season? Yeehaw! Bring on the longer days, the warmer weather. Thanks for the reminders my friend. Never too far out to be reminded of the rules.

When I have all my grandkids around, I always lose a pound or two.  They keep me running and the babies require all the lifting and changing and bathing and all of that.  So, it's a good thing in small doses.  I am so happy that you are seeing good from your meds.  I'm the same way: I hate taking the meds but know how the quality of my life improves with the meds.  You will be out walking around and hiking before you know it and that will start the pounds dropping.  Plus, you are heading over to the islands soon aren't you?  Eat the good fruit and take yourself up and down the beach and the sun will brighten not only your day but your mind. Being on track is an ongoing thing and it is a recursive process.  Remember, if weight loss were linear, we would all be successful, but it is filled with going back and climbing and lifting ourselves up and doing it all over again.  If I kicked my behind side every time I messed up, well, my butt would need some major work.  No one is perfect, and you are going to get where you want to be…just wait and see. 

Wow Jeannie,,you were right on target for me today! Im purging the house of all the junk, and getting ready to get serious about getting back on track so thanks for this post!!

Like you said, we kinda glide past all that stuff in the beginning,,but we sure need it now.

Im gonna print this out and post it on my fridge to keep me reminded.
And thanks for the info about the protein shakes too. That makes sense.

I can do this!! :)

Blessings
Betsy

I think that we forget that the pouch is not an easy answer but a tool.  One benefit is that we do get a lot of weight off fast and that puts on an even playing field with non wls people.  But, the keeping the weight off or losing the last few pounds is for us to do with our good sense.  None of us are without strength, my goodness we had to be strong to go through the surgery.  So, yep, it's time to get back on track.  I'm heading back to the gym on Tuesday of next week and am not missing a day.  No way. 

Jeannie....I read these and made a copy for my file!

Really these rules are so simple. We just need to stick with them. I know I will do much better when I move and can get back into my old routines again. I look forward to walking and eating right!!

Thanks so much....hugs....connie d

Connie,

I am so happy you are moving.  I know you will feel much better when you get some control back.  As much as we love our kids and grandkids, it is too hard to live with them.  I love my daughter and my son with all my heart and would never turn them away, but if they ever lived with me, I'd have to get a second job so I could have some peace of mind.  

I cannot wait to see where this new journey takes you.  I am without a doubt convinced you are going to get your life back and then some.  You should move to Arkansas and be my BFF and we could hunt fossils together and go hiking and then to the mall and get make overs and buy shoes…oh my.  We could have a blast.   

Jeannie....if I could move to Arkansas you can bet we would be BFF. We would tear up that state. We could get in all kinds of trouble together!! The good kind of course....LOL!!!!

I am hoping to get back to being the real me. Not this depressed and angry person I am now.

Thank you for the wonderful reply. You always know how to make me smile!

Love my friend.....HUGS ....connie d