Pouch Reset

[Hiraeth 515]

Has anyone ever done the pouch reset? If so, did it work for you?

I'm asking because, I've lost 61 pounds since August, but the weight loss had slowed a lot. I think a lot of it has to do with the holidays and bad choices. I also feel as if I'm able to eat more than I was last month. So I'm worried that maybe my sleeve is stretching. I haven't gained any weight back, but I'm also not losing as much as I want to. I was stalled at 195, and it took me 2 weeks to get to 194. (I have PCOS and my period is very late, so it could just be my body getting pissy and holding onto PMS weight... ) Everyone around me still thinks I'm starving myself, but to me, I'm eating too much. I want to get my mind back on track, but I'm worried that if I've stretched my sleeve, that it'll be hard. So, have you ever been in this situation?

EDIT: Also, does the pouch reset help you feel full quicker like before? I never thought I'd say this, but I actually miss that extremely full feeling after 3 bites of food. :/

Edited December 28, 2016 by Hiraeth

[Babbs 14,681]

You haven't stretched your sleeve. It's the natural progression of things to be able to eat more the further out you get post surgery. You cannot stretch the sleeve.

It's also very normal for weight loss to slow and stall a lot the further out you get from surgery. For me what worked when it happened was to actually increase my calories and Protein along with my activity. That always seemed to jump start things again. I did that until I topped out at 1200 calories until I hit goal and now maintain on 1300.

I don't believe in 'pouch resets'. I think the best way to get back on track is just going back to basics like in the beginning--no sugar, white carbs, Protein first and lots of Water. If you feel you want to 'tighten up' your restriction a bit, liquids for a couple days should do the trick, temporarily at least. It won't ever be like the beginning. Work with what you've got. Good luck!

[slvarltx 332]

I am with Babbs on this one. There is no stretching of the sleeve....it does relax a bit. The reset works for some folks in my opinion because it gets them focused on the fundamentals that makes the process work in the first place....protein, veggies and elimination of junk carbs.

[favoredlife 13]

I agree with these 2 with the exception of stretching your sleeved stomach. Unfortunately, I had a cousin that didn't listen to her body & ate more than she needed constantly. This can lead to stretching of the sleeve, as your stomach is an organ that adjusts to the capacity it's constantly being pushed to. If you overeat a lot, then your stomach will get used to that feeling & fullness.

My cousin who is now looking into scheduling a bypass after the sleeve, to undue the horrible habits she didn't correct in the first place.

Hang In there.

[slvarltx 332]

@favoredlife....my understanding is that it is impossible to stretch the actual sleeve. What happens is that on extreme overeating, the area where pyloric valve meets the intestine, the intestine will actually balloon at this weak point....thus stretching the intestine not the stomach....this is how my surgeon explained it me....small comfort to your cousin of course as the result is the same...revision

[Hiraeth 515]

You haven't stretched your sleeve. It's the natural progression of things to be able to eat more the further out you get post surgery. You cannot stretch the sleeve.

It's also very normal for weight loss to slow and stall a lot the further out you get from surgery. For me what worked when it happened was to actually increase my calories and Protein along with my activity. That always seemed to jump start things again. I did that until I topped out at 1200 calories until I hit goal and now maintain on 1300.

I don't believe in 'pouch resets'. I think the best way to get back on track is just going back to basics like in the beginning--no sugar, white carbs, Protein first and lots of Water. If you feel you want to 'tighten up' your restriction a bit, liquids for a couple days should do the trick, temporarily at least. It won't ever be like the beginning. Work with what you've got. Good luck!

Thanks for the reply! What you described is basically what the pouch reset is. I'd drink Clear Liquids on the first day, full liquids on the second day, pureed food on the third, soft food on the fourth, and solid food on the fifth. Some say it's a great way to get back on track and helps get your mind and sleeve back into feeling as if it can only handle a little bit.

Honestly, I think my main problem is being lazy and eating what is easy. Food really isn't as enjoyable as it used to be; and to be honest, I'm so glad. I hate liking food. I want to feel as if I could take it or leave it, you know? Last night I did a bit of grocery shopping and I got a few things to help me get back to where I was. I know it won't be like the beginning, but I'd at least like to have a bit more restriction.

Edited December 29, 2016 by Hiraeth