Welcome back to the 5 Day Pouch Test Monthly Bulletin from LivingAfterWLS! Great to see you. Earlier this year we ceased publication of this newsletter to concentrate on our Project 2014, our new year-long education and support program. So many of you missed the Bulletin we are pleased to bring it back full of great content and inspiration to support you on the 5 Day Pouch Test and beyond.

Today's Bulletin includes a thoughtful essay on the definition of obesity as well as our trending FAQ's, some inspired peer support. Just for fun we included healthy smoothie recipe for refreshing nourishment as warmer weather arrives. Thanks for joining me and I hope you are happy to see the Bulletin back. But don't miss out on Project 2014 - we have a great group on Facebook and are eager to see you there.
 
Sincerely,

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"This is my second day on the 5 Day Pouch Test and I can already feel the difference. I was dreading to try it, but it is just fine. I am not starving! My pouch still works!"~ CKC

"I did this program (5DPT) and lost 12 pounds. It's amazing and my pouch felt tight and eliminated carb cravings. I am starting it again Monday to remind myself how good it is. Then proceeding to move forward with the tools I was given after surgery and not eat snacky foods like I was. Love it. Thanks Kaye. Most of all this makes your get back to the basics and the purpose for going through surgery.~ FT

"I'm on day 5. Just a HAPPY reminder folks...It's only 5 days..to start...to feel awesome to feel fresh, to feel renewed! You can do this. FIVE days ONLY!"~  EEH

"With the support of Project 2014 the best change I've made to my health this year is remembering the 4 rules; Protein FIRST, LOTS of water, NO snacking and Daily Exercise." ~ KMMW

"With the support of Project 2014 the best change I've made to my health this year is to remember that I am not alone in my struggles and that with the help of others I can reach my personal goals."~ LD

 

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Veggies: The healthy carb choice.

Q: "How are slider foods defined and what are some common ones?"

A: "To the weight loss surgery patient slider foods are the bane of good intentions often causing dumping syndrome, weight loss plateaus, and eventually weight gain. By definition slider foods are soft simple processed carbohydrates of little or no nutritional value that slide right through the surgical stomach pouch without providing nutrition or satiation. The most commonly consumed slider foods include pretzels, crackers (saltines, graham, Ritz®, etc.) filled cracker snacks such as Ritz Bits®, popcorn, cheese snacks (Cheetos®) or cheese crackers, tortilla chips with salsa, potato chips, sugar-free cookies, cakes, and candy." (5 Day Pouch Test Owners Manual 2nd Edition, page 34).

Q:"I understand the rule about not drinking with meals or 1/2 hour before and after. So how does soup fit in?"
  A:  A well made soup that provides protein, complex carbohydrates (beans, veggies, grains, etc.) is rich in vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber while at the same time being soothing and easy to digest. To take advantage of all of soup's goodness the portion needs to be measured (see "Good Idea" below) the soup eaten within 15 minutes and the no liquids before/after/with meal. Because the nutrients are warm and have already started to break down during cooking you want to give your little pouch as much time as possible to absorb and digest them. Please there is simply something comforting and nurturing about a warm cup of soup.

Download Project 2014 Winter Season Unit 6:
The Sensational Power of Soup

Reminder: We have a choice when the carb cravings hit: simple carbs or complex carbs. That is why I believe soup is a key food choice in health and weight management with weight loss surgery. Studies confirm that people who include one cup of soup in their diet each day are more likely to lose weight and sustain a healthy weight. Soup is always an intelligent choice when used as a meal or snack. I cannot think of a better way to feed the carb monster.

Good Idea: Measure Soup Servings
What I've learned is that soups must be measured. Clear soups or smooth soups without solids should be measured in 1-cup servings and eaten within about 15 minutes. Soups and stews with solids must also be measured, but differently. Use a slotted spoon scoop out solids into a 1/2-cup measuring cup. Put that in your bowl, and then add an additional 1/2-cup of the soup - both liquid and solids. This makes a good hearty 1-cup serving that should keep us full and satiated for a long time after the meal. Thick chili with beans and meat is best measured in 2/3-cup servings. It seems like these hearty dishes are much more filling: it is best to start with a smaller portion. Again, with hearty chili and stews avoid exceeding more than 1-cup volume for any meal.

A: The motivation for doing the 5DPT should always be to get back on track with the WLS dietary guidelines, not to lose weight. That means we take what we learn during the 5 days and apply it to our lifestyle on Day 6 and beyond. If we do the 5DPT simply to knock-off a few pounds and then go back to the very habits that lead to weight regain we will, naturally, regain the weight and then some. When we consented to weight loss surgery we agreed that for the rest of our life we would follow certain dietary guidelines. If we have drifted from the original guidelines the 5DPT can get us back to basics. At that point we must follow the guidelines we agreed to if we wish to sustain weight loss and keep our obesity in remission. Use this as a means to return to following the instructions you were provided by your surgical weight loss center and nutritionist. Go back to doing what worked for you when you were at your best and losing weight or maintaining weight.

Shared with permission fom WebMD
With a scoop of vanilla or unflavored protein powder this could be a super-smoothie after WLS. I've not made this recipe, but similar recipes and the pear really mellows the kale and the orange juice is deliciously refreshing. From WebMD:

2 medium bananas, ripe
1 pear, or apple; ripe, peeled if desired, chopped
2 cups kale leaves, chopped, tough stems removed
1/2 cup orange juice, cold
1/2 cup water, cold
12 ice cubes
1 tablespoon flaxseed, ground

Place bananas, pear (or apple), kale, orange juice, water, ice cubes and flaxseed in a blender. Pulse a few times, then puree until smooth, scraping down the sides as necessary.

Good to know:  Flaxseed is commonly used to improve digestive health or relieve constipation. The monounsaturated fatty acids get credit for this. In addition flaxseed (sometimes call flaxmeal) is an excellent source of vitamin E, B complex vitamins and minerals including manganese, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and selenium.

LivingAfterWLS, LLC
Kaye Bailey, Founder
Evanston, Wyoming 82931