Stretching pouches.

Im wondering how many of you had surgeons tell you that your pouch can stretch? My surgeon says they do NOT. People just learn how to eat around them He said that if you took a WLS patient right out of surgery and xrayed them.. and xrayed them 10 years later their pouch is still the same size. I think its a big wls myth. How bout you?

Well, I can't understand why our pouches wouldn't be able to stretch beings that the old one could. I have been told it could. If it didn't then we would only be eating 2 oz at a time forever because that is all our stomach could hold. You know what I mean? Then again I am no doc...just a wanna be Bethany

I honestly think it has to do with many factors. One being the swelling goes down and you have an initial expansion of the pouch. The other being that some people have their old stomachs stretched out more than others - and maybe higher up than others, while some people just had more of the lower portion stretched. Probably depends on how much was stuffed in prior. So that would determine how much the pouch will relax after surgery. I know that with the cottage cheese test it will tell if there is any stretching going on. I think it is possible to stretch, but it probably also has to do with how small the original pouch was made. I have a 4 oz pouch and therefore I think more ability to stretch/relax than someone with a 1/2 oz pouch. Maybe, maybe not, but at least that is my perception. Dina

Dina -- Theoretically, if our stomachs didn't stretch/grow, then we'd have the original sized stomach we were born with, wouldn't we? Our stomachs have stretched thru the years, so I'd just assume they'd have the ability to stretch post-op, too. Besides...as you referred to it, some docs DO measure the pouch capacity with "the cottage cheese test". So I'd HAVE to assume from that standardized test that there IS potential to stretch it. I have to agree with you...just makes sense to me... Kimmer Queen of the Niners, Instigator to All Marchers, High Priestess of Giggles

I even remember reading that the OLD stomach never stretches either. It is just resilient and can expand and detract, but doesn't stretch OUT...it remains the same size. So, that is true of the pouch too. But, on the other hand, I have learned that part of the small intestine right next to the pouch, can learn in time to be sort of a holding area for the pouch, which will allow people to eat more at one time....not such a good thing. Anyway, that is what I learned about it. Also, they tell you only to eat 2 ounces at first because of the healing taking place...it is really capable of more right from the start.

Well, I have to disagree with whomever said the old stomach never stretches. If that were the case, we wouldn't have weight problems. I have vivid memories of when I stuffed myself out of emotional distress as a kid...to the point of hurting. Then only to find that I was able to eat that same amount much later without a problem at all. On one website regarding bariatric surgery I was reading about stomach size and pouch size and it was indicated the average stomach size was around 16-20 oz I believe, while the average bariatric patient's stomach was about 2 quarts...or 64 oz. I could be slightly off on those numbers, but that was the gist of it. Whoever made those claims - I would question their knowledge base.... I have a theory - and I claim nothing more than just a theory - that stomachs are prone to the same stretching as the skin. Up to a certain point it will bounce back with elasticity and you can shrink your stomach up to where you get full on less again. But once stretched past a certain point, like skin, it will only shrink up to a very small degree and the capacity will still be quite large compared to the average stomach. Dina

I know when I had my surgery there was no way I could eat more than 2 oz at a time or i would puke. So..I dunno if that is true or now... i guess it doesn't matter..i just know my experience

My doc said it stretches from an initial 2 oz to about 12 oz, but will never get as big as the original stomach. Stretching is a part of the healing and natural process, and it does not cause weight gain. Stretching the stoma is a bad thing though because it leads to not feeling full, thus overeating. That is to be avoided by not overfilling the pouch. People who gain weight back after WLS are eating around it - i.e. grazing or drinking with meals, both of which allow overeating. The tool is still there for them if they will start using it again. At least that is my take on it. Joy -32 lbs

I have to say I agree Dina..I fully believe our "old" stomach stretched and like wise our new ones will...just not to the size of our old ones. In my opinion...it will have to in order to eat more later on. Lets face it..you can not stick to 4 oz all your life well..i wish but it just wont happen Bethany

my doc says it's smooth muscle therfore it will stretch over time. Maybe not to the size it once was but it wont be tiny tiny forever. HUh, who knows. Everybody has an opinion. I heard the quickest way to stretch is to habitually overeat/ Again, who knows. we each listen to our docs and follow what they say. Kym 3/25/04 -34