5 day pouch test !

[Karlos]

Karl, it's hard on others to compare yourself to them, saying that you've never had to consider it as you've always followed the rules, because your malabsorptive problems like mine mean that we should never have to use the 5dpt as we *could* develop bad habits and still lose or maintain. When I was losing I never gained or stalled and to a point frowned at those who did but with hindsight and knowing about the chronic malabsorption it's not far to compare myself to others because it makes us vastly different in all stages post op.

Yes, I agree that it shouldn't be necessary, and if you can get your head into the right place life should be fine but for many that doesn't happen easily or they aren't given the help to deal with the psyche issues associated with food and control.

I've watched friends do so well for the first 2 years and seem promising for long term maintenance slowly start to lose their way and if used properly the pouch test can be a good tool for getting back on track.

Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

You're missing the point Shell, it's not about chronic malabsorption not with me anyway, my dropping way below goal was as a result of the excessive amount of exercise I was doing coupled with a restrictive diet that is a high protein, low carb regime as is our diet post op. Now I don't do cardio exercise to the levels I used to my weight has increased quite nicely.

The point I was trying to make is that I know lots of people even up to six years out who have maintained at goal and never had to consider the pouch test because they used the golden first year to develop good habits rather than having to rely on this mythical panacea.

Like you I've seen others who seemed destined to fail from the outset because they failed to change their habits and behaviour around food. Eating sugar free cakes and sweets etc might seem like a great idea at first, but it's indicative of bad behaviour that will more often than not result in long term failure. I've never yet heard of the test being effective long term unless the individual is in the main already following the rules but needs to shake up their system by doing things differently for a short sharp shock. I know of lots of people who are constantly having to redo the test in the same way they crash dieted pre op yo-yo-ing through life instead of just making those small changes that result in success

 

[shelbell]

Ah I was under the impression you had the same chronic malabsorption problem I do. Sorry

Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

 

[Fashionably Late]

I do see your point Karlos. I wasn't reading enough to get the gist of what you were saying. Then it definitely isn't a test to reset your pouch. I use it as a wake-up call to myself and use it like I do exercise... a necessity for me. I rarely make bad food choices. I don't think I would have been as successful as I have been if I didn't play by the rules. But for me the concentrated 5dpt and two days on solid liquids allows me to have a system of checks and balances. It isn't a crutch for bad food choices in my case but I know for others it is.