Question:
Can I reset my pouch to go back to eating less?

Hi, I had surgery 10/03. I have lost 145 pounds and started at 382. I had my gallbladder out last month, had complications in the beginning, hair falling out, sticture, you name it I had it. I finally feel better but the problem is that now suddenly I feel as if I can eat and I am having all kinds of cravings I never had and can eat much more than I could. HELP! I still have another 40 pounds to get to my goal and I am nervous. Can I reshrink my pouch by going on a protein shake diet for a few weeks and drinking alot of water?? Please help I am almost there and scared....THANKS!! Cindy    — cindy C. (posted on June 7, 2004)

June 7, 2004
I dont want to tell you wrong, I dont always do things the "right way".. I am not a by the book person.... however.... I have had to back off from time to time, as I am sure most do, except for those few perfect ones... I would just start eating smaller amounts... the protein shakes would be a GREAT idea. those always worked for me... I would lay off them for a couple of weeks, and then go back on them and I would drop the pounds very easily...But if you will make your meals smaller and smaller, you will get where you wont take as much to get full. I hope this somewhat helps.... I am 16 months out, I have lost 217 pounds, from 355 to 138. I basically eat what ever I want to... BUT the thing is portion size..... if I am craving something sweet, I will take 1 bite... I still cannot stand sugar AT ALL.. it hurts me sooo much and I hope it always will. But I will satisfy my cravings, with a bite or 2 of it and that keeps me from grazing on everything else trying to satisfy myself. This works for me, like I said I am sure there will be someone that will say I am wrong. But you have lost 145 pounds, NO SMALL FEAT so you must be doing something right, right?? I would try to do the portion size thing.... maybe that will help you. I still only take 1 to 2 bites of maybe 3 or 4 different things at a meal. It fills me up. I hope this helps you in some way... best of luck to you!!!!!! I wish you the very best! you are only 8 months out, so you still have a ways to go...you will get there!!!!!!!!
   — rebecca J.

June 7, 2004
I've heard that drinking protein shakes only for a few days (along w/ other non-calorie liquids) can reset your pouch. Personally, I haven't been able to stick to it! I do a carb detox occasionally (protein only for 3 days) and it helps with the cravings. It's normal for your appetite to return, and for you to be able to eat more. Now is when it gets tricky. Try picking dense protein foods that fill your pouch and stick around for a long time. Eliminate refined carbs (white bread/flour) as these cause the cravings. Now is the time where the pouch rules really help, so it's good to review them. Good luck!!
   — mom2jtx3

June 7, 2004
Cindy, I checked your profile and you don't have too much there about what you're eating or what your exercise pattern is so it's hard to know how to answer. If you're eating stuff with white flour, sugar, etc., then that will definitely cause you to crave more. My advice would be get off carbs completely for about three days and you'll get rid of the physical cravings. If you do that and the cravings don't go away, it's probably "head" hunger and you might have to get help with that. When I find myself wanting more to eat after I just finished a meal, I go back to very dense protein and I eat at least every two hours so I won't get too hungry. Definitely drink lots of water, and I'll even go back to writing down every bite and every ounce of fluid for just a couple of days to be sure I'm on track. I've also bought the South Beach diet book and am using that to help me get to goal and stay there. You've done wonderfully and I wish you the best in reaching your goal. D
   — scbabe

June 7, 2004
I have to agree with what Rebecca said. I have tried the shrinking pouch strategy and I could not stick with only drinking protein shakes for even 3 days and eventually even if you do this the main factor involved here isnt the size of your pouch but what you are putting into it. I have a terrible time with snacking, I do it constantly in the evenings and I know it is my main problem. Everything I eat turns to mush in my pouch and it goes right through and it is mostly high calorie snacks with little or no nutritional value. So that is the key, whether it be during a meal or snacking everything we put in our mouth there are 2 questions to ask, what is it's nutritional value and is it gonna turn into mush and go right through me allowing me to eat even more. You'd be surprised just how much of the stuff that has no value turns to mush: cookies, chips, crakers, soft pasta, crunchy snacks/bread. But these things are so much easier to eat, you dont have to chew them 100X like you do denser proteins, meats, jerky, heck even a piece of fruit takes more effort to eat than a cookie does. So before trying the protein shake thing ask yourself 1st - have I become a lazy eater, is this allowing me to sneak in extra calories and eat more than I should, are my snacks good ones or lazy ones. OK now if I could only follow my own advice, I'd really be in business. Oh yeah and dont forget that nasty little work "exercise". It makes a difference too. Good Luck, Rosemary
   — SARose61

June 7, 2004
It is tough enough to experience the return of hunger without also feeling guilty about snacking and grazing on problem foods. Don't underestimate the value of finding someone with whom you can discuss your anxieties and who might be able to help you unravel why you are struggling. So many of us have hit these bumps in the road and were fortunate to find a professional who could help us sort through the myriad of conflicting emotions. Good luck.
   — SteveColarossi

June 7, 2004
There is not a CTRL-ALT-DELTE for your pouch. If there was, why would we need weight-loss surgery? We could've shrunk our original stomachs, and avoided expensive, risky surgery!<br><br> You need to retrain your head - your behaviors - not your stomach, hon. Yes, you can do it. Will it be fun? Heck no. To those who say they can't stand to do protein drinks for a few weeks, I would say that you need to find the right one. Try some samples - www.vitalady.com, or www.wlssuccess.com has TONS of them. It is worth the effort. And it helps get over this catch-22. Also, up your activity. I have a friend who says, "More output requires LESS input!"<br><br> Lastly, consider getting your resting metabolic rate checked. Find out if you are eating the appropriate amount of calories for your activity level.<br><br> Okay.... now:<br> 1. Support, Support, Support. Find peers in your area going through the same thing. Seems like the people going off track from support are those who lose touch with their support system and forget we're the ones who can help the most, and understand this pain and struggle.<br><br> 2. See your nutritionist about that RMR.<br><br> 3. Do you need to hear from your surgeon that you cannot "make" your stomach shrink? I bet (s)he'd back that up.<br><br> 4. Consider some therapy. I am NOT saying you're crazy... not even close. But 80% of this battle is behavior and dealing with the ramifications of surgery, not just getting your parts re-arranged. <br><br> Are any of us perfect? No. But it is worth trying, to attain AND maintain your health now!<br><br> Good luck, sweetheart.
   — kultgirl