Candy monster almost 5 years post-op?

Hi Guys I have not been on the board for a very long time due to "other" health issues.  Just wanted to say that I am almost 5 years post-op and all of a sudden in the last four months the candy/chocolate monster ha**** really hard.  Also, I can eat what I consider "almost normal".  What gives?   I read about a 5-day diet to get back the "old pouch" and wondered if anyone out there about the same time has faced these new issues?   I am still at my goal weight, which fluctuates 5 pounds one way or the other and lately it has been "one way" only.   Just wondered, hoping I am not alone and that things can get back to normal before anything happens.  Hugs to all.  Missy

Missy, I'm 3 years post-op but want you to know you are not alone.......the chocolate monster has been riding my back for a while.....the 5 day pouch test did help me......some of us on the Texas OH board are going to start it again next Monday.  The holidays and availability in my house (2 kiddos) isn't a good thing. Good luck!

The 5DPT is awesome for getting the carb monster off your back...but not as a diet to lose weight.  It's a great for people who have fallen desperately off track with eating carbs, drinking with meals, not eating enough protein first and foremost.  And learning to eat til satisfied and not over full. After the 5 days. It's really up to you to continue eating right and listen to your pouch...Measure food so you know you are eating what should be enough...I was frustrated after the test because while I finally got my eating right and felt wonderful, I also could not get my weight to stop fluccuating and lose anything. I lost 4 pounds on the test and gained 2 back as soon as I ate some complex carbs...(I realized the loss was only water and not real weight).  So I began logging my food intake and saw where exactly I needed to cut back and I began to lose weight...Then I started logging it on the accountability thread and lost all of the weight I really needed to get off before I had to start moving up a size!   I'd do the test again and again if and when I get addicted to carbs again, becasue I could not believe how amazing my pouch felt after the test. I was miserable before I did it...afterwards, I felt so much better...everything became normal...My gas was under control, my BM's were moving again, I didn't have severe hunger pangs, sugar/chips or bread was not my first thought to eat... Try it to get rid of the carb monster...not as a diet and you will be pleased! Hugs Anita

Hi Missy, You are so smart to jump on this now.  I have had issues with chocolate for *years*.  I will be six years post-op in May.  I piled on 40 pounds of regain starting at about 2 years post-op (so, about ten pounds a year reappeared just from chocolate).  Whatever else you do, you gotta quit doing the chocolate.  It's addictive.  And it's so high in calories, and so *not* filling in the pouch, that it can cause major weight gain all by itself.  The mistake I made was in ignoring it five pounds at a time.  It sounds like you are about to avoid making that Huge Mistake! I don't know any solution or substitute or trick besides just not eating it. Good luck, Suzy C.

Thanks everyone for your replies.  I think I will start on Monday the 5-day diet to get the carb monkey off my back.  I usually do so well, but because of other nonesense, I have been living my life on sweets and I have to stop.  I am getting ill less and less, so that is not stopping me much.  If I do dump, it is very infrequently and usually with an unexpected source of food that I might have eaten a million times.  I started jotting things down in Fitday, which is great for keeping track of things, and that has made me realize the calorie content of a single sweet - YIKES . . . . forgot all about that, since I haven't had to count calories for so many years now.  Back to the drawing board. Good luck to all, and thanks for your good advice.  Missy

Good luck! I've heard great things about the 5DPT. We can do this!

Bette, I am definitely giving the 5-day a try.  I will start Monday because I need to get the protein shakes again.  I think my success for almost 5 years is really due to having protein shakes daily, once a day and sometimes twice a day, most days, and then a good dinner.  I got lazy and didn't buy any, and now I am paying the price.  I will start Monday, so I will post and tell you how it goes.  If you want to try it with me, superb.