Bariatric surgery, including gastric bypass, mini gastric bypass, duodenal switch surgery, and gastric sleeve, is a significant intervention for individuals struggling with morbid obesity. While these surgeries can lead to substantial weight loss and improvements in obesity-related diseases, maintaining long-term weight loss can present challenges. The 10-day pouch reset diet, created by Mexico Bariatric Center®, is designed to help patients who have undergone bariatric surgery get back on track after experiencing weight regain or a plateau.
Understanding the Pouch Reset Diet
The pouch reset diet is a short-term, high-protein, low-calorie regimen intended to help reset your metabolic set-point. It is designed to mimic the post-operative diet following bariatric surgery, with each phase shortened to fit within a 5 to 10-day timeframe. The primary goal is to restrict the amount and types of food you consume, encouraging a return to healthy eating habits.
The Concept of Stomach Stretching
Weight loss surgery patients often express concern about whether you can stretch your stomach after gastric sleeve surgery. Medical experts hold differing views on this, acknowledging that the stomach is a muscular organ with the capacity to expand and contract. Even after bariatric surgery, the stomach continues this natural process.
The stomach's inner lining contains folds of tissue called rugae, which allow the stomach to stretch to accommodate food. Overeating can cause the rugae to stretch, and with a constant flow of food, they may not return to their original size. The pouch reset diet aims to address this by helping the stomach return to its normal size.
Is the Pouch Reset Diet Effective?
The pouch reset plays into bariatric patients’ fears of putting on weight because they’ve ‘stretched’ their stomachs. After weight loss surgery, the stomach is restricted due to swelling and scarring. However, after healing, it will continue to work as a normal stomach by expanding and contracting. Thus, your capacity to eat more increases. The size of your pouch has less to do with whether or not you regain weight after your gastric sleeve surgery or gastric bypass surgery. What you eat and the amount of food you have is key to losing weight once again.
Read also: What is the Reset Pouch Diet?
Just as when you first underwent bariatric surgery, a stomach reset may help you lose weight again. Whereas before, you couldn't eat because your stomach was swollen and healing, this time you'll contend with a healthy stomach is you'll need serious willpower and support from your doctor, family, and friends.
The pouch reset diet is not a fix-all but a tool to restrict your caloric intake and return you to good habits. If you start to eat larger meals again, your stomach will respond to the increased volume.
Goals of the Pouch Reset
- Restrict Caloric Intake: The diet's structure is designed to significantly reduce the number of calories consumed, leading to weight loss.
- Promote Healthy Eating Habits: By limiting food types and portion sizes, the pouch reset encourages a return to the eating habits recommended after bariatric surgery.
- Restore Satiety: The pouch reset can help patients feel a sense of security and feel much fuller after eating, a sensation they had after these surgeries.
- Psychological Tool: The gastric pouch reset diet is essentially a post-op psychological tool to help you get back on track to avoid additional weight loss surgery.
- Test Commitment: The pouch reset diet is essentially a test to demonstrate that you still have the will and commitment to follow a disciplined post-op diet and exercise plan. Once you succeed in this short-term pouch reset plan, you will regain the confidence to restore your mindset, behavior, and lifestyle for long-term weight loss.
Important Considerations Before Starting
Consult with Professionals
Before embarking on a pouch reset, it is important to notify your doctor and dietician and work closely with them to achieve a successful outcome. Although you can figure out how to do a pouch reset on your own, you should do it under the guidance of a bariatric surgeon and dietician.
Realistic Expectations
It is important to understand that the pouch reset diet will not shrink your stomach long-term (no “reset” diets do). The pouch reset diet is not a way to shrink the size of your gastric pouch. It is also not a long-term diet. The pouch reset diet should not be used frequently or for longer than the suggested time. The pouch reset diet is not a magic fix! In order to achieve long-term weight loss goals, you will need to incorporate sustainable diet and lifestyle habits into your day-to-day life.
The pouch reset diet is not a way to shrink the size of your gastric pouch. It is also not a long-term diet. The pouch reset diet should not be used frequently or for longer than the suggested time. The pouch reset diet is not a magic fix!
Read also: Comprehensive Review: Body Reset Diet Cookbook
Scientific Evidence
Before you embark on a gastric sleeve reset, you must be aware that there is no firm scientific evidence but only based on anecdotal evidence. Whether you are planning to undergo a VSG pouch reset or a gastric bypass pouch reset, you should know that these plans are not research-backed but only based on anecdotal evidence.
10-Day Pouch Reset Diet Structure
The 10-day pouch reset diet consists of three phases, each designed to gradually reintroduce different food textures and types.
General Guidelines
- No caffeine.
- Must drink 64+ ounces of water or a sugar-free beverage.
- Must not drink 30 minutes before a meal or 30 minutes after.
- Do not skip any meals or shakes listed.
- No additional snacks other than what is listed.
- Protein shakes must have 20 grams or more of protein and less than 5g of sugar.
- Track what you eat on a daily basis.
Day 1: Clear Liquids
The first day focuses on clear liquids to cleanse the system and minimize stress on the digestive tract.
- Water
- Tea (unsweetened)
- Broth (chicken, vegetable, beef)
- Sugar-free drinks (Crystal Light, Propel, Gatorade Zero, Powerade Zero, Mio, etc.)
Days 2 and 3: Thick Liquids
This phase introduces thicker liquids to provide more sustenance while still being gentle on the stomach.
- 3 Protein shakes (spaced out every 2-3 hours)
- Unlimited Weight Loss Vegetable Soup
Weight Loss Vegetable Soup Recipe:
- 64 ounces of water or a sugar-free beverage
Days 4 and 5: Soft Solids
Soft solids are incorporated to gradually introduce more texture and substance.
Read also: Comprehensive Guide to the 5-Day Reset Diet
- 3 Protein shakes
- Unlimited Vegetable soup
- Choose 2 servings out of these soft solid protein options:
- ½ cup cottage cheese
- 6 ounces Greek yogurt: plain or flavored Dannon Oikos Triple Zero
- ½ cup beans (whole or refried)
- 2 scrambled or poached eggs
- 4 ounces tofu
Days 6-10: Long-Term Diet
This final phase transitions towards a long-term healthy diet, reintroducing lean proteins and vegetables.
- 3 protein shakes
- Can substitute these options for 2 out of the 3 protein shakes:
- 20 almonds
- 1 Greek yogurt and up to ¼ cup berries
- 1 cheese stick
- 2 eggs (scrambled, poached, or hard-boiled)
- 2 meals consisting of 4 ounces lean protein (chicken, fish, turkey, pork loin, shellfish, tofu, or beans)
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil, 2 ounces vegetables
- Unlimited Vegetable soup
Foods to Incorporate
- Clear liquids: Clear liquids only.
- Full liquids: Full liquids. Protein powder mixed with a sugar free non-carbonated clear liquid. Sugar free pudding. Soup with soft noodles. Non-fat yogurt Carnation instant breakfast. Sugar free option. Very thin creamed soups. No chunks. Sugar free sorbet. Very thin hot oatmeal. Check the sugar content. Diluted no-sugar added juice. Sugar free, nonfat ice cream. Thinned applesauce.
- Pureed foods: Pureed foods. Almond milk or coconut milk makes a great protein shake. Hummus Cottage cheese (low fat) Soft cereals - Let your cereal sit in the non-fat milk until it’s soft. Soups - no chunks Scrambled eggs - these are a great source of protein. If you can puree the food, it’s acceptable as long as it’s healthy and easy to digest. It’s best to stay away from meat at this point.
- Soft foods: Soft foods. Soft cereals - Let your cereal sit in the non-fat milk until it’s soft. Soft vegetables - steam or boil them until they are soft. Soft cheeses - limit these, they are typically high in fat. Ground chicken or beef. Add some beef or chicken stock to keep the meat soft. Soups Scrambled eggs - these are a great source of protein. Soft (steamed) fish. Remember to chew well. Canned tuna and salmon (you can add low fat mayo). Great source of protein. Mashed fruit. Healthy foods.
General Guidelines
- Introduce these foods slowly and in healthy portions.
- The size of your fist should be the size of an entire meal.
- Typically, a post bariatric surgery diet will focus on protein and vegetables but always consult with your surgeon.
- Drink liquids at least 30 minutes prior to eating and 30 minutes after eating.
- Eat slowly. Allow at least 30 minutes per meal. Chew well.
- Fruits are typically OK in moderation.
- Stay away from sugar and nutrient lacking carbohydrates (pasta).
What to Avoid
- Caffeine: No caffeine.
- Sugary Drinks: Avoid sugar-sweetened beverages like juice.
- Snacks: Do not take additional snacks other than what is listed.
- Sugar and Carbohydrates: Stay away from sugar and nutrient lacking carbohydrates (pasta).
- Meat (early stages): It’s best to stay away from meat at this point.
Measuring Pouch Size
If you are unsure if you need gastric bypass pouch tightening, you can perform something referred to as the gastric bypass pouch reset test, also commonly referred to as the cottage cheese test. Scientific studies have not verified this procedure, so take it for what it's worth. Measure eight ounces of cottage cheese or mashed potatoes, and then eat until full. Subtract the remaining food to determine how much cottage cheese or mashed potatoes fit into your post. Eating five or more ounces of either food will indicate you do you know if you stretched your gastric sleeve.
The Importance of Support and Willpower
The pouch reset is not easy. You’ll need support and some serious willpower. Support isn’t required, but it will definitely help get you back on track with your weight loss success.
Long-Term Success
In order to get long-term results from it, you need to think of it as a fresh start to your journey. By day 10 of our pouch reset diet, you will have transitioned into a healthy diet that you can decide to continue long-term to bring you to your goal weight.
Following bariatric surgery, you need to work to incorporate healthy diet and lifestyle habits in order to achieve your weight loss goals and to maintain that weight loss. Following the pouch reset diet, it is still necessary to follow a healthy diet and lifestyle. In order to achieve the results you are looking for, it is necessary to comply with both diet and exercise throughout your weight loss journey.
Sustainable Lifestyle Changes
Following the pouch reset diet, it is still necessary to follow a healthy diet and lifestyle. In order to achieve the results you are looking for, it is necessary to comply with both diet and exercise throughout your weight loss journey.