How do you know.......

If you need a revision or just a kick in the butt!?

I am so far off track I can't even see it anymore and it's getting hard for me to remember there even was a track. But that's why I'm here. I am only almost two years out and I can eat so much food.

Eating all the carbs and sugar again; eating and drinking with meals; not taking my supplements. I was drinking that liquid crack - DP but I've managed to pry his fingers loose and am at least back to water & crystal light just not enough of either. My RNY was in 8/07. Of course I'm afraid to get on the scale, but I am back in 14s and they are tight.

Is there some test or something you can have done that will tell you if there is something wrong with your pouch?

I am trying to find my way back to the track, I just want to find out if my pouch is broke.

Any help or suggestions or even that kick in the butt if you think I need it will be welcomed.

Thank you for responding.

If you truly feel your pouch may no longer be intact or if you have unexplained pain then your surgeon can do a scope to check for true mechanical failure.  However, most of us just need a kick in the butt.  I was hoping for mechanical failure so I could have a revision, but alas, all is well with my pouch.  A blessing really, but I was just being lazy.  There is a "test" that you can do to check the capacity of your pouch.  The "cottage cheese" test is the usual title.  Basically you take a semi-soft protein source and measure out 1/2 cup servings.  In one sitting on an empty stomach, you eat the first 1/2 cup and note how your pouch feels.  If there is no sense of fullness, move on to another 1/2 cup and note again if you feel fullness or pressure in your pouch.  Finally, the last 1/2 cup serving should definitely provide you with fullness.  However, most semi-soft proteins can easily slide through and I know I am not so good at recognizing fullness anyway.  So, the better way to check your pouch, reset your capacity, and reset the initial intolerance to sugar is to follow what is called the "5 Day Pouch Test" or 5DPT.   Here's the link to the official site.

http://www.5daypouchtest.com/

This is difficult for your mind to accept, but it works very well and lots of people use it when they get off track.  Once you've completed it and you feel secure that your pouch is not broken, then just stay focused on the basic rules of staying hydrated, water loading in between meals, protein first and consuming 60-100 grams per day, not drinking with meals, avoiding sugar, etc. 

You need to weigh yourself so you have a starting point.  Get a fresh journal or choose a web based food journal like dailyplate, plan for the start of your 5DPT by choosing a date and getting your supplies, and really take this seriously.  You can get the extra weight back off, but you have to bring back that level of committent you had right after surgery or even right before surgery when you knew this was what you wanted.  Some of us have to find a level of committment that's even stronger than what we had after surgery!  For me, I took it all for granted when I was a new post-op.  Now, 7 years later with a regain of 80lbs, I am ready to commit to a lifestyle change.  Don't let yourself get that out of control.  You'll have tons of support here in this forum and you can even search the forums in your state for a local support group.  Keep posting and keep us informed of your progress and challenges!

Dragonfly123;

Thank you for the advice and the reply. I don't know you but I came across your post on yesterday and I see where you are steadfastly moving along with your program. I searched through until I found your first post on your program. It was actually reading your post and what you were going to do that got me thinking about my pouch and whether it was broken or stretched out or if it was just me. You motivated me and gave me hope that if my pouch isn't broken I can get back on track. I have tried the 5 day pouch test but I haven't been successful in getting through it YET. I am going to try again. I am thinking I would like to try what you are doing, just maybe not as long as you are going to. I wish I had your determination. I am trying to take small steps. Today let go of the liquid crack - ie; carbonated soda; next week no drinking with meals; like that until my date comes around. We are getting ready to go on safari in 3 weeks and I am setting my date for after we return.

Let me ask you this. What types of protein shakes are you drinking. I love the Labrada Lean Body RTD but they are like 40 carbs & 200 + calories but they are good. Maybe too good, huh?

I am rambling. Thanks again and keep on going you inspire me.


Karen

Hi Karen,

I am using Muscle Milk Light protein powder, in chocolate.  You can get it at some grocery stores and at GNC.  The serving suggestion is 2 scoops in 8 oz of water, but I like to use 1 scoop of powder with 12 oz of skim milk.  That makes it cheaper for me and gives me 26 grams of protein and 220 calories per shake.  I think they taste great, very light and not chalky, mostly like a glass of chocolate milk.  I don't think they have high carbs and I know they are low sugar.

Angela

Chocolate my favorite flavor. Muscle Milk Light. I'll get some.

Thank you very much.

I let you know how it goes.

Karen

Speaking from experience, don't wait too long to go back to your surgeon and talk about this.  I let it go way too long and gained back 47 pounds.  When I finally worked up the courage to go back to my surgeon, he treated it seriously, did not blame me and immediately order the appropriate tests to find out if something was amiss in my insides.  Turns out my stoma was stretched, allowing food to empty from my pouch too quickly.  I had that repaired and am now back on track.   

After all, don't you deserve to have all the help you need in this battle to keep yourself healthy?
Good luck

Hi Virginia;

Thanks for the reply.

My surgeon is out of the country and currently so am I. Different continents.But after my 1st post I did emai them and his assistant told me to get an xray w/fluroscopy and let them know the results and we would go from there. I am going to try to arrange for that on our way to safari and maybe pick up the results on the way back.

Yes, I agree with you. I do deserve to have all the help I need. And this is a battle which I intend to win.

Thanks again.

You have received some great advice! 

If you are genuinely concerned that something is wrong with your pouch, your first stop should be your surgeon.  I know there are tests that can be done that will determine what is going on, if anything.

If it turns out that everything is okay (hopefully!), then it is a matter of getting back to basics, and re-establishing those good habits that are so easy to get away from.

Best of luck!  :)

Hi Cindy,

I agree, great advice from great people. I really appreciate the responses.

As I said before, my surgeon's out of the country and so am I but I am going to look into the tests. Fortunately, I have no pain, no type of discomfort except one time when I ate something that I believe was stuck because I was not right for several days and then it was alright. The amounts of food that I can eat seems like more than I should be able to.

So I look forward to having the tests done and finding out what's what.

Thanks for the reply and the luck. Always welcomed and needed.

Karen

No kicks in the butt here.  It's unlikely your pouch is "broke"  It is ever so much more likely tha it is your thinking that is "broke"  The best way to know is to get solidly back on track.  Go back to the beginning.  Progress through the post-op refeeding schedule.  Two weeks on clear liquids, two weeks on full liquids, 2 weeks on pureed foods, then solid foods.  Remember it is VITAL you take your supplements, get at least 60 grams of protein, and 60 oz of water (or Crystal Lite) every day - this much isn't only about weight loss - this much is about staying alive.

Please take VERY GOOD care of yourself.