Question:
HAS ANYONE HAD GOOD LUCK WITH THE 5 DAY POUCH TEST?

I am almost 3 years out from Gastric Bypass and have put back on 15-20 lbs. I have tried the 5 day pouch test and both times I can't get past the first day on liquids because of extreme hunger. Any suggestions?    — CROJAS (posted on January 4, 2011)

January 4, 2011
Cindy, I am in the same boat. I have put on 30 lbs since my RNY in 2007. I started the 5 day pouch test yesterday. The 1st day sucks. I had a bad headache all day but i sucked it up. What I did was i drank a bottle of water when i got up then day a protein shake, more water, an atkins shake at lunch, more water (lots) and around dinner i had 1 cup of creamy soup and loat more water before bed. I woke up today with no headache and really no hunger. Hope this helps
   — tkgarner99

January 4, 2011
I'm on the 5 day pouch test now and I also had a bad headache the first day. The first two days are hard, feel like your starving, but gets better. I've lost a couple of lbs. since starting Monday 1/3.
   — Darkwing11

January 4, 2011
Hi I am 5 1/2 years post op and had two babies since and I have gained a total of about 65 pounds between both pregnancies. Just recently I started the South beach diet which is what I did before having surgery and have lost 25 pounds since. In the first two weeks of doing it I lost 10 pounds. I think it is a great and realistic diet for post ops to do and it really works. But no I've never tried the 5 day pouch test.
   — jjeanniespets1

January 4, 2011
the way i get past the first day is to drink protein drinks all day long along with the water that i always drink.the protein stops the hunger.The cards that are being burned is what causes this"hunger".I do this every couple of months to reset my dump meter and it just gives me a new handle on my program.For me it is a good thing.I am almost 8 yrs post op and have maintained a 265 lb loss.If u have gained a few lbs NOW is the time to get a hold on a plan to stop the regain before it progreses into 25 to 30.Good Luck
   — Bette Drecktrah

January 5, 2011
I will be 4 years post op. in April, and I too have put about 28 lbs. back on. It seems whatever I do, doesn't seem to help. Next week I'm beginning the 5 day pouch test and try to get back with the program. It worries me why I'm gaining. Good luck with your journey.
   — GrammaAnn

January 5, 2011
I am also in the same boat! I am post-op 10 years on Jan. 8. I have been thinking about doing the pouch test also. I have even joined Wt. Watchers to lose the 20 lbs I've gained. I never seem full and scared to death that I have messed myself up. I hope you get some good responses.
   — Betty Todd

January 5, 2011
My Doctor told me most people loose a lot of weight at first then after a few years settle at a twenty to thirty pound higher weight. I lost on my 5'2 frame 165puonds after 7 years I kept off without any fight 130 pounds if I exercise and go back to my cup size portions I will lose but with that I have a habit of loosing vitamins and iron. I wanted health and I do have it now, the 5 day pouch test I suffered through and it works I ate egg drop soup, protein shakes, sugar free jello and frozen protein shakes.
   — ANNAJEAN

January 9, 2011
I am only 15 mo out, but I do the 5 day pouch test one week of every month to make sure my pouch stays nice and tight. As far as not being able to get through the first day for hunger... there are a couple of tricks. 1. Make your protein shake but only drink 1/2 or even 1/4 at a time just like when you first got out of the hospital. Get dixie cups, take tiny sips, always be putting something in your body while reminding it what it is like to work with small amounts. 2. Sip water or vitamin water zero or crystal light... Again, always stimulating those signals that you are 'eating' 3. Whenever you want to eat, go do something that doesn't involve food. 4. Willpower. At the end of the day, tricks aside, it comes down to making a choice. It isn't supposed to be easy. WLS was only a tool and it loses it's edge after a while. At some point you have to step in without expecting your body to make it easy for you. Commit to the 5 day pouch test and just do it - think of it like sharpening the tool of WLS, because after, your body will go back to helping do a lot of the work in this process. Otherwise...
   — Jeanette Hagar