Weight: 204.3 lbs.
OK - I know that there really isn’t a day six of the pouch test. But, it went so well and I lost so much more than I could have imagined, that I am thinking of stretching it out. To last a lifetime! The concept is that this is the (re)beginning of my journey, and I must adopt the mentality that just because I technically finished the 5 day test, this doesn’t mean that I am “done.”
So…I am off for challenges such as a dinner on the road today, and do plan to choose carefully. I am shocked at how full I can now feel much more quickly than before, and am actually puzzled by this concept. Did my pouch shrink back down? Is it an illusion or like the placebo effect? Or am I just much more mindful of the signals it is sending, now that I have resensitized myself to this?
Yesterday for instance, I made 3 scrambled eggs for breakfast, with some cheese in them. I could literally only eat less than half of it all before I felt that I might puke. I put the rest in a small container, and ate them at my desk at work. Along with a cheese stick and a low fat yogurt, as the day progressed. For dinner, I had looked forward to the chicken liver I had bought earlier this week to celebrate my fifth day with. I made them up with some onions, and could only eat a little before I was stuffed. Later, I did eat some more, but actually must have overdid it, because I was still so full by bed time that I felt uncomfortable and sick. I am still struggling some with the concept and feeling of full, and clearly exceeded it with my second round of liver, but am still amazed at how quickly this now occurs and how much stronger the signals are. Where have I been all my post bariatric life??
So, I truly can’t say enough for the pouch test and the new hope that it has infused me with. The fact that I have lost as much as I have is very heartening to me as well, and in case anyone else has not noticed, I will also spell it out. Today I reached my 100th pound!!!! A week ago, I had practically given up all hope that I would get here at all. My next goal is 101, as this will represent the largest weight loss in my adult life. Then, to under 200. Then, to under Tom’s current weight of 198.
Fortunately, none of these numbers are far off, and there is actually hope now that I am on a roll again, that I will reach them some time this millenium! It is so interesting to see that I CAN indeed lose, and that clearly a carb and portion restricted diet is the key. I was obviously off track in both ways before, and THIS no doubt, largely led to my slow progress. This is the first time that I now feel that I have the means to control this process and the outcome, as before it seemed to be beyond me in many ways, and my stalls and hovers felt inexplicable at times. It is so good to see that in fact my pouch ain’t broken, and neither am I!
So, with only some mild trepidation, I am off to live out day 6 and beyond, and see how I fare under less restrictive circumstances except those that I continue to impose on myself now that I know I can and still be satisfied. Woo Hoo to that!!
Related posts:
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- I Should be Shot! Weight: 21
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- When Bad Ideas Turn Good Weight: Ta
- Play As Work Weight: 18
March 6th, 2010 | Categories: 
Yes! You are experiencing the “reason for the rules”! And I think you will find that those “nibbling” urges will be greatly reduced when you have slow digesting protein in your pouch. Do continue to eat this way…I would add, though, that you are pushing your portion sizes and this will undo your sensitivity if you continue…3 eggs is entirely too much. I would start with ONE and add cheese sticks or perhaps cottage cheese (which is a slider food but is protein). If you eat slowly with tiny bites that you chew, chew, chew then your pouch will feel full. If you find yourself hungry after two or three hours, go ahead and have another small snack of protein. Six smalls meals are better than three large ones for your pouch. Choose SMALL portions (1/4 to 1/2 cup) first! Your pouch will work for you then. IF you try to eat in the portions you have mentioned before…you will “stretch” your pouch and desensitize it again. Choice and portion size are BOTH important. I’m glad to hear that you are planning to continue to eat “Day 5″ for a while. I don’t think you will regret it!
Yes Debra,
I am realizing that portion sizes do matter for all the reasons that you have indicated. As to the eggs, they looked so small and shriveled when whipped up, and even the three looked like such a tiny portion! But, fortunately, they were one and a half too many anyway, and my pouch told me so! So I guess that you are right about serving sizes and how small the “tummy” really is!
And actually there IS a DAY 6 and after! See Kaye Baily’s web site for the info!
Really?! I will have to do this as I suddenly feel a little insecure about how to continue this great streak that I have been on. I’d like to think that I can “assume” what I should be doing, but…well, we all know what assuming can be broken down into!
Ok today is day 1 for me and I am starting with a dessert protein drink. First time I have tried this one and it is really probably the best protein drink I have found yet. Debra has some pretty good advice as far as watching the portion control. My problem is..I eat way too fast and by the time that I get the signal that I am eating more than I should…I am way too full. I know we shouldnt be eating until we are stuffed or FULL. It is very hard to learn to eat until we are satisfied vs stuffed or full. So wish me luck and I will keep you posted. I hope I am as successful as you were. Oh and congrats on that 100lb milestone! My weight this morning was 218.8
I am so glad that you are keeping us posted here!
I am also curious what brand and flavor of protein drink that you are enjoying so much. I had cinnasmon bun and the orange sherbet (or something like that) as fusion packets, and they were very yummy. It is strange, but since the pouch test, I have rediscovered shakes and realize that I actually rather like them. before, I never had them since like the earliest post op days.
And you are so right about the eating past full thing…I couldn’t be more guilty of this before, but am renewing my efforts to get it (more) right hereafter. (Obviously, I flunked last night during my liver extravaganza!) If we all listened exclusively to both our pouches, and Debra Taylor, we’d probably do very well!! LOL!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!YOU DID IT and it is encouraging and it inspires me to get my act together. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!! So you see you are not only helping your bariatric friends but for all of us who also have to lose weight with out having a pouch. Hope your day was fun today and your sensitivity to fullness continues.
Hi Barb,
Thanks for the cheer on, support and kindness, but most of all, referring to my process as inspirational and encouraging!!
I am so happy for your successes too, and can see them all over your face…literally and figuratively. LOL!
I also hope you had a great day, and enjoyed your 1st of 8 church days…but perhaps not SO much that you won’t be free next Saturday…ha ha.
(We did rent the cottage and are soooo excited. I will be writing more about it in tomorrow’s blog. It would be too small for you all and there are no others nearby that she was aware of, but hopefully you will visit us the week that we chose!)
The shake is Dessert by BSN comes in a red container is low carb, low sugarI got it at GNC. It came in quite a few flavors..I got the chocolate Fudge. The best thing about it is that it doesnt smell like most protein drinks. It has 21 gms of protein..I mixed it with milk to bump up the protein. I also discovered click protein drink too…mocha flavored espresso protein drink. I like to also add ice and used water and mixed it up like a frappacino. 15 gms or protein so that is how i am getting my coffee fix. I am telling ya…this isnt as easy as i thought. My stomach is not growling but darn my head is really telling me that it needs to eat. Funny how the mind works huh lol
Oh, I know just how you feel!! My head was so hungry I was having strange fantasies about food and everything! But, the first two days were the worst, and then even my head quieted soon after and it all became quite bearable. And when I saw the scale finally moving and my cravings go down, this took center stage and made it all that much easier. Hopefully you will experiece all of this soon!
I need to find better shake stuff, so I will look up the types you describe and some others I saw noted by others at bariatric sites (”Click” seems to keep being referenced, so it must be good!) For now though, I am glad that I’m not too sensitive about such matters as others may be, and can handle finishing off my “chalk” in a canister.
Keep up the great work and letting us know how it is going!
Yeah the problem with me is my face loses the most weight and then my chest area but where I need it most in my stomach and hips, that’s not so noticable. My face is getting a bit thin looking which makes Rick not want me to lose but I tell him look down south and see I am definitely not thin. I use the Whey chocolate shake which I buy from GNC and it is a good one. If you buy the rasberry flavored water and put a cup of it in the blender with about 5-6 ice cubes it makes a delicious chocolate rasberry milk shake. It is perfect in thickness and keeps you full for quite awhile. Looking forward to hearing about your cabin rental.
Hi Barb,
Yum - I never thought of adding berry to my chocolate shake stuff. Sounds good! I usually use cherry crystal light in my strawberry shake mix though, and it comes out double berry flavored.
Hey, as to your face, I think that it looks good and since this is the first part that people see when they meet you, there’s nothing wrong with presenting an imagine of thinness! And, with proper clothes, the illusion of slender, can continue! I think that you have a tendency to overestimate your bottom half, because frankly I don’t see it as you do, and believe me you’ve had me take some good hard looks when you refer to yourself as a sausage or whatever. From your description, you’d have people thinking that you are a mishapen pear or something. I see none of this, nor clearly does Rick, who finds you scrumptious just the way you are! So, eat for health and the rest, whatever it be, will come, and stop being so self conscious over how you look, ’cause you look great!!