Anyone try the pouch test?

I am 5 years out from gastric bypass. I had mine on feb 14th, 2012, everything went well. I had 2 things after my surgery that popped up. I got stomach ulcers that i needed to get treated. Then I had some stomach issues due to being sick. The bigger issue is the fact that I back slide and gained a lot of weight back. I gained almost all of my weight back. I have a really stressful life that unfortunately can't change. I never took care of myself and last July I had a mental break down. Since then I have emotionally eaten during bouts of anxiety. I stopped taking my vitamins, and exercising. For a while I stayed with my normal foods. But then i started eating candy, cookies, carb food. Basic all around junk. It took 9 months but i'm finally in a good place in my head. I started walking again, and I'm stopping eating after 8pm. I drink only water. Nothing else, no caffeine, no alcohol and no surgery drinks. But i am struggling to kick the want for carbs and sugary things. A friend of mine suggested a 5 days pouch test to see if I can jump start my pouch and get me back to my thinking of smaller portions.

I was wondering if if anyone has done with the pouch test. What did you eat? How was the first 2 days? Do you consider yogurt a slider food? Thanks for any advice given!

Good job in the efforts you've made thus far! I haven't done it but personally think it's a fad type thing. If you can put the efforts into 5 days of shakes, you can put the same effort into 5 days of protein forward, low-carb eating. If you need meal/snack ideas read the menu thread. Take it one meal at a time.

Shakes won't leave you feeling satiated-- only dense protein will. In fact the sweetness of some shakes may leave you longing for carbs too. Carb detoxing (imo) works best when you white knuckle it through the cravings. No weaning- go cold turkey.

I gotta agree with peachpie. As opposed to doing a pouch test, why not try this:

1. Choose firm, lean proteins to eat (chicken breast, lean cuts of beef or pork)
2. Eat your protein first
3. Eat all your protein before you eat anything else

I guarantee you will feel very full! I am 9 years post-op and when I eat protein first and hard proteins I can't really eat much.

I also agree with peachpie. I view pouch tests as a crash diet. That is how I got fat to begin with. I will never do that again!

First of all: GREAT NEWS that you're feeling better. Please take care of your anxiety and your head, and the body will definitely follow.

As for the body - I agree with your advisors above!! Think long term and focus on getting back to basics. You do need to give up the sugars and carbs, and that will suck at first but I bet you'll feel better both mentally and physically.

I'm only 2 years out from my bypass, learning maintenance. I was doing well, basically plus and minus 2 to 3 pounds for 10 months when... WHAM! I stepped on the scale at the end of December and, gulp, almost 9 pounds up. What the...????

Well I immediately considered all the quick(er) fixes of pouch tests and resets. But I took a good, hard, long look at what I was actually consuming - I started journaling honestly again. Holy cow. I was grazing nearly all day. And I had switched from a plain nonfat Latte at Starbucks (120 calories) to the "Skinny" Mochas, which were double that! And, thanks to a brutal work schedule I was allowing myself to consume A LOT OF THESE. Thank fully I was still making decent choices at meals and wasn't completely off the rails with carbs but, those Skinny Mochas alone would have resulted in a massive regain by the time my honeymoon really ends.

Well, I realized I didn't need a pouch reset, I needed a mindset reset! :-) I got back into the habits that brought me success the first time: journaling, and eating at fixed times. Protein first. no drinking with meals. Exercise. Water. You know the drill. I also noticed that, due to that work and travel schedule, I was eating a lot of meal substitutes like protein bars. Those are fine in a pinch but I was eating them every day. Not the best for me - with true (firm) protein I ate a lot less - my pouch worked just fine.

So long story not especially short.... I got back to basics, and it worked. I know 9 pounds sounds like a drop in the bucket - but hey if my experience is any guide I wanted to share anyway.

There are regain groups on OH - search for those and find a group that has walked your walk, and refocus on your doctor's original plan. You do have your tool, and you can do this!

The pouch test is nonsense. Go back to protein, healthy fats, low-glycemic veggies, water. Your tool is still there and still working... give it a chance.

Audrey