TIME OUT IS A TOOL - NOT A CURE

I've been thinking a lot about the questions that have been raised about Time Out.  Some of you wonder about using Time Out as a fix for a deep seated problem and I agree - it's not the answer or the cure - it's a tool. At least that is how my surgeon explained it to me.  Just like weight loss surgery isn't a cure for obesity, time out is a tool to help one lose pounds that have been regained.  It's rigid - but it works.  At least for me, it works.  My metabolism is shot from many, many years of yo-yo dieting.  I can gain on very few calories and I'll admit, that due to some very adverse conditions in my life, I allowed myself to start stress eating.  Now, I could "cut calories" by eating only high protein foods and healthy carbs and it would take me at least a year to lose the weight I need to lose.  Down side to that is that, long before that year is up, I would give up and start eating again.  So yes, I am aware that I do have issues to deal with but using the time out will help me reach a healthier weight as I deal with these issues. Another part of my surgeon's Time Out plan is that you don't wait until you've gaind 20 or 30 or 40 pounds to use it.  Used properly, you will never regain more than 5 pounds before getting it under control.  Unfortunately for me, this protocol wasn't used when I first reached my goal - or final plateau as my surgeon calls it.  There wasn't a lot in place for long term regimens at that point.  Things are different now.  He has each patient promise to weigh daily after reaching goal.  We are given a 2 -3 pound window - if you go above that 2-3 pounds, you go on an immediate time out - proteind drinks and fluids only until you are back at your desired weight.  On the other hand, if you drop below that 2-3 pounds UNDER your desired weight, you increase calories til you are back. This seems to work beautifully as behavior modification for most of his patients.  They get tired of being on Time Out and eventually learn to eat correctly so that they don't gain.  I thoroughly intend to use this tool to help me maintain my weight just as I used the surgery to lose it in the first place.  I have promised myself that I will NOT ever regain like I have in the past two years. Patty

Patty, I have been watching and thinking about your experience with time out. It is very hard to look at any food issues objectively...ever. I think my whole system for dealing with food and eating has been so overwhelmed by my years of yo yo dieting and stress eating that a healthy look at things is always hard. My first impression of time out was that it is another tool that has to be approached very carefully. I don't want to depend on "drastic" eating behavior to get where I'm going and stay there. But described as you have in this post, it looks to me like it could be a helpful and hopeful way to keep a handle on things. I am beyond judging others eating decisions on any basis. I have enough struggle of my own without voting on any one else's choice. But, I do congratulate you on your thought ful description of your experience....and as always, I am on the lookout for anything that will prevent or help any regain.  At 19 months, I am still losing....slowly. And..my life is too stressful this month to take a time out that is a healthy one mentally.  But, thanks to everyone's description and experiences, I am not opposed to trying to use it as the tool you described today.   Best wishes, Jeannie

Hi Patty!! I'm soo proud of your success!!  Good for YOU!!  I've been dealing with regain too.  I have to thank you for posting your struggle because it is posts like yours that gave me strength to acknowledge that I'm really struggling--I'm not alone--and it is not inevitable that I will never lose what I've regained.  I'm in the process of "evaluating" what and why I'm eating--or grazing so I guess my doc does have some where to start with me.  I actually find that I cannot eat a whole lot at a sitting but I sure can graze my way through just about anything. I think acknowledging what is going on is key.  I've admitted to myself and my surgeon I'm struggling and that I need help.  I hope to have success like you.  You are right--this is only a tool. I thank you Patty Butler for sharing your journey!  I wish you the best of luck and I hope to hear more of your journey.  Penny B

Hi Patty! I'm not an advocate for or against using the Time Out Plan, but I thought what you said was interesting. (I have not used the Time Out Plan since it was brought up on this board) What was interesting to me was the fact that your surgeon said to use it if you gained a slight amount of weight~weighing daily and if you go above 2-3lbs, go on a Time Out (so I'm assuming at 3-4lbs you would be on Time Out). Using the Time Out in the fashion is very different than what alot of people here were doing~which is an extended 10day or 2week Time Out. If I'm only up 3-4lbs, I could go on a 2 or 3 day Time Out and have that weight right back off. In my opinion you're correct~using the Time Out in this way is like using a "tool" versus going on a 10-14 day liquid only "diet". Your way seem much more reasonable to me and seems like something I could actually implement if needed. Thank you for sharing your surgeon's advice on this and Good Luck to you on reaching your goal!!!!!!!!!

Tracy, Dr. Warnock uses it for longer times to help you get back to your desired weight and then on the short term to help you maintain that weight.  I have been on it for 5 weeks (adding salad after two weeks) and am doing great.  I still have another 20 pounds to lose and then will I will use it as a tool to maintain my loss. I think it's important for each of us to evaluate our eating habits and speak with our doctors about what is best for us. Patty

Well tracy ,, I'm with u,, this was my first time hearing out time out ,, but a least now i know what it is,, which is good,,  shoot I thought abt just liquids for a week and the soft foods the next week,, but i cant get passed the firest day..(smile),, anit that a joke.. Its hard,... and i'm scared,, I dont want the weight back.. but i cant seem to stop..  I go to the doctor tomorrow to talk abt having a revision.. dont know what he'll say but i'll let u know what he does,,  dana

I am so thankful that you posted your Time Out experience. After having PS, I regained about 10lbs... and I was still 30 from my goal... so now I need to lose 40lbs! Today is Day 1 of my Time Out. I am not going tp pretend that I dont know how I gained the 10lbs. I have been going carb crazy and snacking constantly at my night job because it was the only thing that kept me awake working late hours. Now I pay the price!

Melissa, Grazing, especially on high carb foods is usually the culprit when we start gaining.  My surgeon addressed regain at our last support group meeting.  According to the national statistics he used, there are three main reasons for regain: Grazing - self explanatory Loss of Support - we stop attending support group meetings as we get further out and all our friends and family who were so supportive when we were new post-ops see us as "normal" no longer see the need to offer support. Lack of Motivation -  When the weight is falling off us rapidly, we have tons of motivation - compliments, getting to buy smaller sizes, etc.  The we stabalize and no one is passing out compliments any longer - instead they are frequently tempting us to eat things we shouldn't - after all, we are "normal" now aren't we?  Why shouldn't we have a piece of cake or a cookie or a handful of chips? All this makes sense to me.  I know that as long as I went to my support group meetings regularly, I didn't gain.  And I know my family thinks that I should be able to eat anything I want - just in smaller amounts.  But the truth is, I am a carboholic - once I start with them, I just keep going.  It's best for me to just leave the starchy stuff alone - especially crackers and other salty snacks - one bite just makes me want more. Patty

Patty,   I love your post and could not have said it better.   This is a tool.   I have been on the Time Out since 6/4/07 and have lost 14 pounds.   It has made me totally aware of what I am putting in my mouth and that we need to have a food plan.    I have already started to make my menu of what I will eat for meals, so when I am hungry I will NOT grab the first thing around and eat it, which most of time is Junk food cause they are already prepared.    Thank-you so much once again Patty. Laura

I am definitely using this as a tool to become more aware of what I am considering to eat and why, as well as cutting out the addictive carbs. I am not doing the strict method, but I have to agree that it can be a VERY useful tool and like anything, can be used properly or harmfully.