JOURNAL: "5 Day Pouch Test"

Do you find yourself asking these questions:

• Does my pouch still work?


• Have I broken my pouch?


• Have I ruined my tool?

On the different support boards...and in WLS News & Blogs these tend to be the most common questions many weight loss surgery PostOps find themselves asking during their journey. I would agree with the consensus that it feels like we can eat more food especially when we see that we are eating more food. Sometimes I ask these questions when I see a bit of weight regain.


The following is a 5-day plan that I found on one of the boards and is commonly used to determine the pouch is working and help it return to that tight newbie feeling. The BONUS is it also gets us back to basics of WLS and helps us follow our POUCH RULES - hopefully triggering weight loss. (I'll let you know about this...)


It seems to not be difficult to follow & if high glycemic benge or on a cycle of carbohydrate cravings - this plan promises to break the pattern. Sounds pretty good, right? Here are some things to keep in mind as you try the 5-Day Pouch Test/Plan:

• The 5 Day Pouch Test should never leave you feeling hungry.


• You can eat as much of the prescribed menu as you want during the day to satiate hungry and prevent snacking on slider foods and/or white carbs.


• You must drink a minimum of 64 ounces of water each day.


• A reduction of caffeinated beverages is suggested, but do not stop caffeine cold turkey.


• Weight loss is not the intent of the 5 Day Pouch Test, however, many who have tried this plan report a significant drop in weight.


• More importantly they celebrate a renewed sense of control over their pouch and eating habits and easily transition back to a healthy post-surgical weight loss way of eating.


• Below you will find a brief list of the menu for each day.


• Please click the "Read more" links for further detail and hints and tips that will enable your success with the 5 Day Pouch Test.

Days One & Two: Liquid Protein low-carb protein shakes, broth, clear or cream soups, sugar-free gelatin and pudding..


Day 3: Soft Protein canned fish (tuna or salmon) eggs, fresh soft fish (tilapia, sole, orange roughy.


Day 4: Firm Protein ground meat (turkey, beef, chicken, lamb), shellfish, scallops, lobster, fresh salmon or halibut.


Day 5: Solid Protein white meat poultry, beef steak, pork, lamb, wild game.


I'm beginning this tomorrow...so let me know if you try this...I'll give you my results when I'm finished! Good luck!