Endoscopy & Colonoscopy results

The results of my upper endoscopy show a normal pouch & stoma which is good news.  However, I still don't understand how I can eat so much at one if there are no "mechanical" problems.  I do not drink with my meals or for 30 minutes afterwards but I can still consume and entire 8" Firehouse sub and 1 oz. FF Pringles ( I know, not good food choices but you get the idea of quantity).   I do make poor choices sometimes and I do not dump on sugar and that combination has allowed me to regain a bit   But  I'm determined to get these extra pounds back off before they become a problem (I'm still a normal BMI).  Anyone have suggestions for cause and/or things to do to lose ? Vickie J. PS - the colonoscopy results were also good - no problems found which is wonderful with my family history of colon cancer! 

I'm so happy to hear that all of your test came out  normal~that's great news!!!! I guess my only advice  is just to stick with what you said~make  good food choices, and I'll add exercise.  If you already have a good exercise plan going, then change  things up a bit to see if you can get things moving again. Good Luck and Congrats on your good test results! 

Hi Vickie. I'm so glad that your test results came back normal. What a relief! I, too found out that I can eat quite a lot without any pain. I'm trying the Time Out Plan to re-educate myself and my pouch to smaller quantities as well as getting control on my poor eating habits. Too many carbs, grazing and drinking when eating. It got way out of control, so this is my way to gain control. I would say to try and stick to portion sizes that you were told by the nutritionist and get in some exercise too. Getting back to basics seems to be the key for everyone. You are not alone in this. There are so many of us here on the graduates board facing the same challenge! Best wishes! Lucy

Vickie, I'm happy for you that both tests were normal. That is first and foremost! Been there, done that!!! OK, suggestions, I've found that after 11-12 mo. out the rule is "the dryer the better" within reason of course. Yes, our pouches and stomas enlarge somewhat, yet still remain "normal". Also, you can probably eat more earlier in the day, as there is nothing in the small intestine, as well as the pouch. Keeping to the basics is a challenge, but it works. Personally, I will not tolerate that amount of carbs, as it will cause a blood sugar spike/drop. You still have "the tool" and I think it levels the field for us. Good luck, Doug

Doug, Thanks for the support!  I'm trying the South Beach Diet to try to get my food choices back into a more healthy mode.  Those carbs are just EVIL (for me anyway!!) Vickie J.

Tracy,

WHAT exercise plan?  You mean I have to actually get up off my butt & move????  Ohhhhh noooo,  I feel a sinking spell coming on!! My current "exercise" plan consists of physical therapy 4 days a week - YUCK!   I'm currently doing rehab from knee & shoulder surgeries in April and will probably be doing that for another month or so. Other than the physical therapy, I've done almost zero exercising since I began having plastic surgery in March of last year (2006).  I had plastics in March, June (x2) and October (x2).  In June & Oct. complicatons (hematoma) required a 2nd surgery within 2-4 days of the original plastics.    I did renew my gym membership yesterday even though I haven't been in over a year and won't be able to return for a while longer b/c I'm having some revision plastic surgery this summer.  My intention is to get back to the gym as soon as all my docs give me the green light - hopefully in the Fall. As for making better food choices....  I'm trying to do the South Beach Diet with my husband but I haven't been as faithful as he is being (he's lost 14 lbs in the past 7 weeks).  I've decided that I'll have to really cut out the sweets - even sugar free & no sugar added b/c they seem to just make me want more.  I'm determined to lose these few extra pounds before I have my revision surgery in July or Aug. Keep your fingers crossed that I can get this back under control or I'll be forced to comitt "HarryCarry" b/c all those lovely new small clothes won't fit anymore and I can't afford to replace everything AGAIN!!!  LOL!! Vickie J.

Lucy, I was just reading about the Time Out plan yesterday.   I've sort of had to do that twice in the past year due to pouch problems.  My surgeon put me back on liquids for a few days to give Pouchtetta time to heal after I mistreated her - once by not chewing steak well enough and another time after having a violent reaction to something I "tasted" at the grocery store (both required trips to the hospital for tests).  Of course, as soon as he said I could progess from liquids to soft to solids I was back eating "normally" in no time.  But if the South Beach Diet doesn't help me get these extra pounds off, I may give the Time Out Plan a try! Good luck! Vickie J.

A thought that works for me...I get constipated so colon cleanses actually help you lose weight but also feel healthy and so you tend to make better choices.  I am about to try a new one I am hoping is the ans to my prayers.  If we are not eliminating waste from our bodies we are poisoning ourselves.