CONFUSED

Ok now I'm really confused.  When I first heard of the 5 day pouch- test or pouch diet.  I thought it was a tool to help you remember how to listen to your body (know when your full)  detox from the carbs for those that have difficulty with that.  And realize that the little tummy still is little  But if I'm reading right most of you are using it to lose the extra pounds you have left to go or to jump start you loss.  My concern is.... well like someone said earlier  are you going to be able to control the real food we all encounter.  Just thinking outloud  please don't get upset.  I'm just throwing things out there.  I'm still so anal about everything I eat I mean I refuse to eat more than 3/4 of a cup of food at a time.if I ever eat that much  I guess my fear of gaining again is so strong that maybe I over do the control.   Bottom line is it a TEST or a DIET  sure took the long road on that one 

In my opinion, it's both a test and a diet. I am not eating the same things I was eating a week ago. My pouch has reacted and I'm grateful. Doing this test/diet has made me become more aware of the quantity of food I am putting into my mouth. Being able to refuse the foods we encounter is a mental choice so the way I see it, my mind has already gone back to the early post-surgery days when I think, "Jeez, there's no way I can eat that." For me, this attitude works. I'm sure it's different for everyone, but so far, this is working for me. Bex

Good question.  I think it is just a way to keep the tool conditioned.  I am 2 years out and noticed a 10 lb gain most likely due to the fact that I had begun eating crackers, pretzel, and some candy.  Now that said, it certainly was not like what I had been eating before WLS.  However, I did not want that to happen again.  I have heard that it can, and I have seen some people experience huge gains after WLS.  I do NOT want that to occur.  I just realize the possibilty exsists, and I am going to do everything that I can to avoid it.  I guess WLS really is not a magic bullet, huh?

Agreed - I think (at least for me) it is both a test (to see if the "tool" ive been given is still working) as well as a diet (to help that little tummy of mine shrink back down & help me remember what its like to feel "FULL"). Sure - I can eat 3/4 to 1 cup of food - EVERY 2 HOURS - I can eat 1/2 a carl's jr hamberger & then 2 hours later go  back & finish the other half. But the point is, that hasnt been working for me - so i need to break that eating every 2 hours (or snacking/grazing/ what ever you want to call it) is killing my progress & has actually made me reverse almost everything ive done thus far. Thats why, for me, i dont think a measly (sp) 5 days on this thing is going to do the trick & im looking forward (even though i wanna die from starving right now) to extending it even further. Using the 5dpt as a TOOL itself to retrain me on what to & what NOT to eat as well as how much. Thats also why i think what Leslee said in another post about having a PLAN for when the 5+ days are over is a really smart thing. If your close to the edge & need that extra littl esomething to get you over that plateau to help you reach your goal - I dont think its so bad in using 5dpt.  Just my thoughts.

It's suppose to be a five day pouch TEST..It's suppose to reset your pouch and give you back some control. How you use it, is how you use it.

I'm like you, anal but I'm getting better. I have my own issues as does every other person on this board.

I don't believe as a diet it's sustainable for more than five days but that's just me. I'm not doing the five day pouch test because I don't need it at this point. I fully understand the need for it because for a time in March, I lost control too. Nice to know that when I need to get control back, there's a plan in place already for me. I like that.

Ok I get it.  Thanks for all the extra  ideas.  I agree a plan is important.  and For all of you that are giving it a shot keep up the great work. And most of all give yourselves the credit you deserve.  We all forget that sometimes

Just wanted to say I agree with everyone else but want to note that most of us at 1 year out felt the same way you did.  Problem is when you get to a year and a half, 2 years, 3 years, it gets harder to have that resolve and you start to try to pu**** a little further, which goes to a little further and then you loose some of your resolve/control.  The pouch test helps you come back to where you were right after your surgery from what I understand.  I am going to start it next Monday.

hi confused :) my name is dawn, im 36 and had the RNY on 02/16/05.  i am a Carb Addict.  i am not getting defense, just explaining my situation.  :) i am 3.5 years out and have gained 30 pounds and was totally out of control.  i had "forgotten" all the rules.  i have NEVER had any issues with sugar..dumping..or anything. i was at my lowest weight in Dec 2006 and had a "mid life crisis" ..i left my kids and hubby for what i thought was something i wanted/needed..later to find out i was just a little "lost" ..since then, God brought me home..with all the stress of life and certain issues, i brought along 30 pounds.  i am still at a weight and size smaller than i was in high school, but knowing that how i felt 30 pounds ago, i needed help.  when i read about the 5dpt, i hoped and prayed that it would help me regain control..i was not looking for a quick fix or a quick weight loss ..although, eating and drinking the way i shouldve been all along, i experienced an almost 10 pound loss.  the 5dpt worked for me.  it helped me regain control of my life.  i know listen to my body, feelings, thoughts..i am continuing with the protein shakes, the 30 min rule, the exercise, the drinking water, the chew chew chew...and i am amazed.  i know when i am full, i know when its "head hunger" or "real hunger" ..i am making better choices. it has been 6 days since DAY 5 of the 5DPT and i am STILL in control, i have gone back to solids, i have slowly added good carbs..and yes..i have had bad carbs as well, but it has not been nearly as bad as before.  congratulations on your success and keep up the good work!  it never gets easier..and unfortunately, sometimes life throws a loop..just hold on!  :) -hugs- dawn  :)

Not defensive at all.  That was what I was tring to figure out.  and I do understand.  Don't get me wrong I have somedays that I want to eat everything in site.  Thank God I dump.  Because I do,  I don't test the sugar or fats.   I'm glad to hear that it helps you remember how the tool works and that you can now listen to your body.  I was just concerned because we all tried those DIETS.  I'm glad to hear that there is something out there if I need it to help me get back on track.  One again Happy Testing  Hugs

Here is my opinion - its not a diet - people lose weight on it because they cut carbs out... when you cut carbs you lose water - so the 'weight' lost on the 5dpt is pretty much jus****er weight - if you continue to eat lower carb post-the 5dpt you may no see a regain or a slight regain... if you were eating a decent amount of carbs before the 5dpt and go back you may see a complete regain of what you lost. I tried the 5dpt just to see what the 'hype' was about - I lost 6lbs and quickly put back on 5lbs... the 1lb I loss never 'stuck' but the scale has always bounced the same few pounds or me - basically I was back where I had started.  3/4ths cup of food is extremely small - are you able to meet your nutritional goals still eating so little? I currently eat approx 1-1.5 cups of food pe rmeal and struggle to meet my nutritional goals! :-)