Question:
Having a pouch the sizes 8 oz. at 3 yrs postup GOOD / BAD????

I know my pouch size is 8 oz. because I have done the cottage cheese test. I just need to know if this is a appropriate size for three years postop. I have had a gain this past winter and I know it's because of grazing, carbohydrates, and refined sugar. I have been trying to do better. Thank,s for you help.    — charanewme (posted on February 2, 2005)

February 2, 2005
I seem to recall that the study that inspired the "Pouch Rules for Dummies" found that long-term post-ops had pouch capacities ranging from 6 to 10 oz. If that's true, I assume that an 8 oz. capacity is not unusual. But personally, I don't think much of the cottage-cheese test; it's imprecise, and cottage cheese has a lot of liquid in it; betcha you couldn't eat 8 oz. of grilled chicken in a single sitting, and that you could eat more than 8 oz. of soup or a thin chili. It's all relative.<P>The "Pouch Rules" study also found that long-term success in weight maintenance was a function of *what* people were eating, not pouch size -- at least, not within the typical 6-to-10-capacity range. In other words, some folks with 10-oz. pouches did better than those with 6 oz. pouches because they ate better foods.<P>I'm right behind you, at 2 1/2 year post-op. For me, when I gain, sugar's always the culprit. If you don't dump (I never have), neither the restrictive nor malabsorption aspects of the RNY really work against the sugar demon, or junky carbohydrates that "slide" down easy and are easy to "graze" on without getting too full. Cookies, crackers, candies, etc. are not very filling compared to dense protein foods, and while we malabsorb fat, we don't malabsorb sugars or junky carbs (some of those, we begin absorbing in the mouth, before they even hit the digestive tract -- ugh). Therefore, I try to remind myself that I am still physically like a "pre-op" where foods like that, especially sugars, are concerned. If it's more than a little bit of sugar, it's just "obesity in a bag" to me.<P>I wish you luck in getting back on track. I find protein shakes, and dense protein foods, very helpful in this battle.
   — Suzy C.

February 2, 2005
I agree w/ Suzy the pouch test is not exact nor a good indicator. I am 16 months post op and I do not eat anymore than when I was first able to go on solid foods. Yes I can eat 8 oz of soup, 8 oz of chicken I would be ill after eating a 2 oz! I also stick to high protein and drinking lots of water that is the key to my sucess. I have not had any sugar or refined foods since the night before I had surgery...that is another key for me to sucess at this. I do "dump"...I found that out by drinking some diluted orange juice about three months after surgery, and I malasorb it seems just about everything I eat. My advise to you, is just get back to basics as far as eating, increase exercise...the grazing, carbs and refined sugar are death to weight loss. Good luck!
   — [Deactivated Member]

February 2, 2005
Hi Charlene, 8 Oz seems to be a good amount. You know what you are doing with grazing and sugar and carbs so you can get back on track. It's good you recognize the problem right away before you gain too much. My hope is to be able to keep on track by getting to basics is I gain a pound or 2. I don't ever want to be where I started at again that's for sure. I'd sure be interested in seeing your picture trail. To see your before and after facelift pictures. My face isn't too bad yet, but my eyelids are pretty droopy I was thinking if I could afford it I'd look into a blepharoplasty and my chin is getting saggy too. It makes me look old. Good luck, Cathy
   — catleth

February 3, 2005
Like the others said it comes down to what the food is. I can easily eat 8 oz of boiled shrimp and maybe more. Yet I cannot eat a 1/4 cheesburger with a full bun and finish it. If I remove 1/2 the bun then I can usually get it all in, but I am full. If I eat just steak some day 4 oz is plenty , some days less and some days I can push 6-8 oz, but that's rare. It can also vary from day to day. I am 2 yrs PO today and I struggle with the bad eating habits but have been able to keep things reasonably in check by adjusting when I've gone overboard. Too much sugar/carbs and I cut back to very high protein for a while and kick up the exercise. I will always eat sugar and carbs that I know. I just need to keep working on a balance of them in my life. Some days I can pile away sugar and then there are days like last Friday where I ate one small piece of chocolate candy and was already not feeling well and still ate the 2nd one. I had a major dumping episode and was in a lot of pain for a few hours. Lucky me I was at work at the time too. I had to lay down in the bathroom for a while to let the worst of the pains go over. I have no explanation as to why I dumped at all much less so severely from that small amount of chocolate. Focus on what you need to do and hang in there. No one said PO life was easy and it sure ain't for the majority of us.
   — zoedogcbr

February 4, 2005
About the cottage cheese test... is there another test besides the cottage cheese? I can't get cottage cheese anywhere near my lips, let alone swallow the foul stuff. Anything else you have heard of??? As far as 8 oz, that seems about right. Again, like others have said, 8 oz of protein and dense foods seem almost impossible. However, our meals 'should' contain 50% protein, veg and then fruit. Varied foods. I can probably eat 8 oz of food, and maybe 5 -6 oz of meat at one time. After that, I'd feel it backing up in my throat. I won't eat that much, cause I hate that awful feeing.
   — SpyderS

February 7, 2005
I'm 2.5 years out, and I can eat betweenn 8-10oz. I really have to diet and watch what I eat now & exercize! But, I feel I still have an advantage over the way I was before!
   — jengrz