An often discussed, and rather controversial topic in our community: pouch reset diets.
Let’s dive deeper into what a pouch reset is – and get down to the answer of this burning question: Do pouch resets after bariatric surgery work? Or is it all a hoax?
What is a Pouch Reset – and what does it have to do with Bariatric Surgery?
Before we answer this question – let’s take a quick anatomy lesson right now.
Your pouch/stomach consists out of layers of muscles and is naturally designed to stretch and shrink.
It stretches when your’re having a meal – and it shrinks when you’re fasting. For example during the night when you’re sleeping. (fun fact: the word ‘breakfast’ is derived from the concept of ‘breaking the fast’). OK, we’re getting off topic here – so let’s get back to the anatomy class.
Bariatric surgery removes or bypasses roughly 80% of your stomach.
Stomach size before bariatric surgery differs across patients.
And after bariatric surgery your stomach can hold an average of 15-20 ml reducing the original size drastically.
Keep in mind that every surgeon has his or her own techniques, and pouch size may differ individually. A smaller pouch capacity is the cause for restriction: minimized food intake after bariatric surgery.
Pouch resets allegedly reduce your stomach size. And may be offered as a ‘solution’ when weight regain occurs. Or to get ‘back on track’. But does a pouch reset truly reduces your stomach size? And is it an effective method to tackle weight regain?
A Pouch Reset Diet mimics the liquid diet after bariatric surgery. In stead of several weeks, the Pouch Reset often is implemented for 8-10 days only.
What does a Pouch Reset after Bariatric Surgery look like?
The pouch reset diet mimics the post-op liquid diet. The post-op diet starts with clear liquids moving on gradually to solid foods.
The post-op diet typically lasts 8-10 weeks depending on type of surgery and individual needs.
The difference between the post-op liquid diet and a pouch reset is the time frame. The post-op liquid diet typically lasts several weeks whereas a pouch reset usually doesn’t last longer than 8-10 days.
We’re not discussing what a pouch reset could possibly look like in detail, because we wouldn’t want to encourage anyone to actually go ahead and follow those steps.
Pouch resets are possibly offered as a ‘solution’ for weight regain after bariatric surgery. A pouch reset diet could also be advised by a surgeon for medical reasons, like obstruction.
Reasons why people do Pouch Resets after Bariatric Surgery
- Brings you in a calorie deficit which probably leads to (temporary) weight loss
- Makes you (temporarily) more aware of your eating habits
- It may soothe your concern about regain because you’re actively ‘fixing’ something (similar feeling of starting a new diet)
Disadvantages of Pouch Resets after Bariatric Surgery
- It’s temporarily
- It won’t fix any underlying issues causing weight regain
- You may not get enough nutrients in when you’re severely restricting yourself
- There’s not one single scientific study backing up the statement that pouch resets work in the long term
- You may fall back into the ‘all-or-nothing’ mindset that can be hard to unlearn after bariatric surgery
- Often not approved by your bariatric team
So do Pouch Resets after bariatric surgery work? Or are they just a ‘band-aid’ solution?
We didn’t come across one single scientific study investigating whether pouch resets work on the long term. In several case studies (investigating one single person) people do lose weight following a pouch reset diet. Which makes sense – you’re in a calorie deficit.
Pouch resets however, do not fix any underlying issues that caused weight regain in the first place.
They mimic a ‘diet’ and don’t support changing your mindset. If anything, pouch resets may even stray you away further from a bariatric mindset – keeping you stuck in an ‘all-or-nothing’ mindset.
A pouch reset doesn’t give you any insight in your current eating habits – and whether the foods you’re consuming are still in line with your personal needs.
A pouch reset doesn’t teach you how and what to eat when you’re in a rut. Your personal nutritional needs should be discussed with a bariatric dietitian who is there to support and guide you in your post-op lifestyle.
Here’s what to do when you feel like you’re falling behind your goals
Pouch reset diets are outdated. And won’t fix any underlying reasons why you’re falling off track.
If you truly want to focus on your goals consistently – and change your mindset along with it – then here’s what you can do instead:
- Reach out to your bariatric team for personal guidance (it’s really OK to ask for help!)
- Go back to the bariatric basics – protein, hydration, vitamins, exercise, sleep, self-care and focus on one small goal at a time!
- Start using a bariatric planner to actually keep track of your basics so you can keep yourself accountable. Every day again!
About Your Onederland
We’re so glad you made it to the end of this post!
No matter how you ended up reading this blogpost today, we’re here to tell you that there’s so much more to discover for your bariatric journey.
Join thousands of bari-besties on our free community platform (yep, you read that right!). And click here if you’re looking for simple recipes that make meal planning so much easier.
And if you have any questions, just send a message anytime!
Resources:
- Ansari el W. & Elhag, W. (2021). Weight regain and Insufficient Weight Loss After Bariatric Surgery: Definitions, Prevalence, Mechanisms, Predictors, Prevention and Management Strategies, and Knowledge Gaps – a Scoping Review. Obesity Surgery; 31: 1755-1766.
- Mechanik J.I., Youdim, A. Jones, D.B., et al. Clinical practice guidelines for the perioperative nutritional, metabolic, and nonsurgical support of the bariatric patient: Cosponsored by American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, The Obesity Society, and American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery, Obesity (Silver Spring). 2013;21Suppl 1:S1-27.
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