On May 27, 2003 I joined the ranks of the WLS folk and had great success (in my opinion) - weighing 153 at 5'10"

Now last I weighed I am about 20# heavier and really mad at myself.

Mentioned it to a friend who JUST had WLS and she told me about the 5-day test. And here I am. Had never heard of it before. I'm not sure when I'll start it. AFer the weekend no doubt.

Here's a couple things I've read here -- help me understand ... POPCORN is a bad thing? I eat buckets of popcorn (yes, with butter and salt) -- I eat it for breakfast and sometimes supper (YES, with butter and salt). I didn't figure it was harmful. Am I reading here that popcorn is NOT a good thing for me?

I have fallen into a candy corn/gourmet jelly bean/etc. cycle that is killing me. I eat it until I'm sick and feel yucky. Start feeling better and I find myself back in the bag with my cheeks stuffed full. Mmmm! good. (Those I know are bad for me, but I crave them and they control me!)

Now I'm interested in this 5-day pouch test thing and getting back on track. I want to lose what I gained and keep it off. Even if I have to do the 5-day pouch test 6 times a year forever.

I am a vegetarian and getting protein has always been an issue for me. I hate milk (HATE it) and since WLS it hates me too. Some things I used to like such as potato soup, tomato soup etc. made with milk just about put me in the grave for about 15 minutes after I eat them.

So the question is - after day one and two (which I will have no problem with since there are yummy sounding vegetarian type soups) - what will I eat in the soft, medium and firm stages?

Thanks for reading through this ramble. HELP ME?

Welcome to the Neighborhood!

The 5DPT will be a good start to breaking the carb cycle/cravings that you've allowed to develop.

Now, eating this stuff that you've been eating...it's making you sickly, yet you eat it anyhow. Why? I mean, it's one thing to have a slip...catch yourself...and then slap the bag of sugar out of your hands. But to do it on a regular basis? I think that some serious "what the heck is going on here" needs to take place with yourself.

All of the foods that you listed are not going to help you lose weight. They are not going to nurture your body. They are what made you need the surgery in the first place.

Go back to the time...pre WLS...when you were ready to give your right leg just to get the surgery done. Get in that mental state and then go to your pantry with a garbage bag and throw out every bit of cr*p that is in there. This is super empowering and a great thing to do when you're on the 5DPT. Then take yourself to the market and shop for healthy foods.

As for what to eat as a vegan. Do you do fish or eggs? Lowfat cheese? Yes, we can get all "egged" out, but it is only for a few days. Tofu is good if you like it. Heck, even low sugar (less than 5g) protein bars would work. Atkin's and Pure Protein are both low in sugar and full of protein.

Get ready to make some changes and you'll drop those 20# in no time!

Ugh, just lost my post!!!
Hiya! and welcome :) My 1st thought was ff refried beans!!! High protein and no animal byproducts!
How vegitarian are you???? Eggs? Let us know so we can give you some suggestions :)

I'm very interested that you are a vegetarian and you've been able to make this post wls life work for you! Welcome to the neighborhood!!! How are your lab test results? I'm really curious!

Sounds like you're totally addicted to the fluffy carbs. So again, I'm asking you how your lab tests have been? I hope you're still getting them done.

If you've only gained 20 pounds in the last 5 years, that's better than most stats. Sounds like you just need to get rid of sugar and you'll be back to your 150 pound mark.

I cannot WAIT to hear more from you. Welcome, welcome!!!

Welcome to the n'hood


Do post more about yourself I am interested also hope to get to know you .....hugs

Thanks all for the welcome.

You are 100% right when you say these are things I HAVE ALLOWED. I'm not disputing that.

I was really surprised about the popcorn thing though when I read that - that was one of my questions. Did I/Do I understand that this is NOT a good thing? My thought process was that it is a NATURAL thing - corn. Even joked with people ribbing me about it at work that "it's my CORN FLAKES".

Okay as for being a vegetarian - I do eat dairy (milk products, eggs, cheese). The only thing I can't do in that area is drink milk or milky products. I just HATE them and can't do it. I'm not even keen on things like hot chocolate, etc. But I have an easier time with the hot chocolate thing than I do a glass of cold chocolate milk. (Don't get me wrong here - I have NOT added this to my bad habits, just trying to describe where I am at with my eating.)

Would refried beans qualify as the protein in only the 3rd day stage or would that carry to day 4 and day 5? I do eat a lot of legumes.

As for my tests - I did NOT get to do them this year at my anniversary. I should probably call and get scheduled in. My life was at a whirlwind pace at that time and with my surgeon's office being an hour away there was no way I could get off enough time from my job to do that. I will say that the previous year's tests have all been A-OK!!

I'm ready for my clothes to fit comfortably again.

Thanks in advance for your kind and helpful responses!

I should also say that most of this weight gain of 20 pounds has been in this one year. It's been a year of HIGH stress and very busy lifestyle. And I believe I have just let my guard down. Not a good excuse, but it is a reality of what has happened.

Hi Allee...here is the article that Kaye wrote about popcorn...a good read. Personally, my WLS center instructed me to never eat it.

Popcorn

This was a very interesting thread. As I am just getting started in the process (first appt. with surgeon isn't until NY eve), everything is interesting but some posts are really interesting. Kim ty for popcorn info.

I'm also 5'10. Was 155 at my lowest on Optifast a few years back. Thinking about that weight was a gratifying visual but also 125 pounds less than today.

Alle, keep the faith!

Nana