A case of “being in the right place at the right time”, I had my two-year post op check up the same day as Judy’s. I am technically at the 22 month mark.
First, I must start with I have experienced a weight gain. This proves once again that the Fobi Pouch is not a “cure” for obesity it is merely a tool. While the scale in the doctor’s office shows a gain of 4 pounds over the last year, my scale at home is a different story. In the last 6 to 8 weeks, I have gained 11 pounds. I had been spending some time recently thinking about “what I was doing wrong”. I want to stress that each person is different and each set of circumstances is different. I gained weight but as I will explain, I will tell you exactly how I did it. I feel that I have learned my lesson and seeing the scale and a chat with Dr. Fobi’s office has set me towards the desire to change my ways.
Alcohol: I have never read or been told that alcohol is forbidden. I do know that since the Fobi Pouch does not contain stomach acids that the breakdown of alcohol is done 100% by your liver. A person who has not had the Fobi Pouch has the benefit of stomach acids to help breakdown the alcohol. This brings up an important note that your liver is working harder to process that drink. I have seen many people on the internet who indulge in the alcohol on a regular basis. After being 18 months post-op, I figured I would take on my social drinking habits again. An occasional drink in social settings, I am not talking a drink every day. In the last 2 months or so, my social calendar seemed to be “up” quite a bit. I was having that social drink more often than I thought I was. Now, I am not saying that the drinks made me gain all 11 pounds because it isn’t. I once heard an alcoholic drink described as “empty calories”. Remember that alcohol is processed like sugar in your body. So, if you consider all those “empty calories” coupled with the processing by the liver, you just have to wonder “What benefit am I getting from this drink?” Also, because I like those fruity drinks, the juices can also cause dumping. Hmmmm, again, I have to ask myself “What benefit am I getting from this drink?”
Sweets: Cookies and Candies and Cakes, Oh My! Ahhh, this summarizes my biggest downfall. I have a sweet tooth that probably paid for my dentist’s children to go to Ivy League schools. When I was learning about the Fobi Pouch, I was aware of the problems associated with too many sweets and sugars. It takes quite a bit of sugar for me to experience a good case of dumping. However, there are calories involved with the sugar I take in. As with any lifestyle change, it is difficult to give up the things you love. Even as I write this, I am looking around for some chocolate or something sweet to munch on. But I am not giving in to the craving. Later tonight after a healthy dinner, I will allow myself one treat. Since my appointment, the one treat has been along the lines of one piece of chocolate left over from Easter (the individually wrapped stuff).
I will admit that I have been living in a bit of a dream world believing that I could eat anything and because I have had the Fobi Pouch procedure I didn’t have to worry about the results. I was wrong. Stepping on the scale is a huge wake up call for me. I accept 100% responsibility for my weight gain. It isn’t like someone told me to have those drinks or to eat the candy. I did it. I have also begun to take exercising a bit more seriously these days. At my current weight it is much easier to find the energy and the time to do the exercise. At 252 pounds, exercise seemed like punishment. That is not the case now. Because I can still remember being at 252 and walking down the street winded, I appreciate being able to walk down the street and move with ease.
Now, to address those who may be reading this saying “I eat sweets and drink alcohol without any problems.” Great! I’m thrilled for you. I find that I can no longer do these things without paying the price. In my case, I gained weight from these choices. Just remember that there is a chance that it will sneak up on you without knowing it.
As I am putting the final touches on this update, I must report that I am down 6 pounds in a short period of time. I have made a no alcohol pact with myself. It will be tough especially in those social settings that I have enjoyed the drink in my hand. But I will remember how good it was to see the scale 6 pounds lighter and how bad I felt seeing it at 11 pounds heavier. The sweets is a never ending battle. I can’t ignore them and I can never go cold turkey. However, I am increasing my protein intake and finding other ways to take care of that sweet tooth. I have never been a big fruit eater, but I am learning. Plus, when I exercise I find the cravings disappear.
I know there are other areas that I want to address in this update, however, my “real life” is closing in on me these days and I find that it is harder to devote time to the website. However, I may periodically add a paragraph on this update when I have a chance.
The main point I wanted to express in this update is that I have gained weight and now I am working to remove the weight I have gained before it is too late.
