Question:
Is their a maintance diet to follow?

The greatest fear I have is that I will gain weight. I know this is more of a mind thing.    — Steve S. (posted on July 24, 2003)

July 24, 2003
Your not alone in your fears. Many of us have that same fear, and its reality that it can happen-not a mind game- for some. The bottom line, if you don't follow the pouch rules, you can eventually gain weight. If you go to yahoo groups-OSSG Graduates (you can lurk but not post until 1 year post-op) there are several post-ops that are a few years out and gaining. Usually the reasons why are obvious-slacking off the protein, too much snacking, not enough water or exercise, drinking with meals. It will always be a calories game with us. Once you settle at a goal weight you have to find that magic # of calories that will keep you at your maintenance weight, and that # is different for everyone. Take in more calories than you can burn and you will gain...only this time, if you follow the pouch rules, its so much easier to maintain. I'm 17 months post-op and although I continue to lose -VERY SLOWLY, like maybe a pound a month, I can also gain a few pounds in very short order if I overdo the snacking and slack off the exercise. But when that happens, I have found it easy (so far) to cut back the snacking for a few days and up the exercise, and boom, the x-tra few pounds are gone. Certainly much easier than it ever was pre-op.
   — Cindy R.

July 24, 2003
There are people who gain weight as a long term post op... they eat sugar, drink with meals, eat lots of carbs, eat fast foods and do all the things that got them to the size they started out at in the first place. You have to permanently change the way you eat so that when you can eat larger quantities of food you are used to a new way of life. Once you get to goal... you can eat anything you choose in moderation... sticking with the lifelong commitment to protein first, followed by the vegetables and fruits that will get you the most nutrition for the least amount of carbs with a bite or two of the special desired food. Remember that you will always have your tool to use for the rest of your life to keep control. ciao, Suze
   — SusanMaria