Pouch size?

This is going to sound strange but what else is new from me. How many chicken wing pieces can you eat? I get them with no breading and baked and can only eat one flat. Yes One. That is when everything is open and I am actually able to eat. Which is not happening again. I can do 1 slice of deli meat and about 1/2 a peice of cheese and I am so full I am miserable. Is anyone else pouch this small, or has mine just not streatched at all from not being able to keep anything down? Doc said because I have gone this long with my pouch not stretching and with the ring around it, it probally never will. I eat maybe 1 1/2 ouces of food a day. Because my pouch is so small I have a really hard time getting liquids in so I have to be really careful. Anyone else out there feel like they have the tiniest pouch in history? Kat 385/261/170

I replied on the main board post, good luck.

Welcome back Kat, you have been missed. Any chance they can stretch it a bit? My brother had a problem once where they had to stretch things because he couldnt get much food to go down. He didn't have wls but it opened him up and he's been relieved since then 3 yrs. now. They call it dialation. Wish these trials were over for you. Hugs, praying for wise medical intervention and grace to endure until relief comes forth. Mary

THey are going in Friday morning and reopening another stricture. My pouch has a ring around it to keep it from stretching but I am wondering if it is way to small to begin with. Thanks for the response. Kat

Wow Kat, I can't imagine how that feels. Actually, I'm the opposite. I'm wondering if my pouch is too big! I carefully measured everything before we moved in October. Since then it has just been my goal to eat something every few hours. I can now eat a whole protien bar in one sitting (I could only do 3/4 before), 3/4 of a McDonald's double cheeseburger (I could only do 1/2 before), and an entire chicken leg quarter. I had a craving for yogurt the other day and bought some 6 oz. containers. Yesterday, I ate almost the entire thing! Around 5 oz. So I'm assuming 5 oz. is now the size of my pouch???? Is it possible for a pouch to stretch even more? Should I go back to measuring everything? The measuring thing doesn't seem realistic. I thought at this point we should be able to eat until we feel "full" and then stop. I guess I feel your frustration, just in a different way. I've been on a plateu for a few weeks. Maybe this is why? Diane

Hi Kat Do you have a fobi pouch? I thought I was the only one in the world with one (not really but I hadn't heard of anyone else that had it) I can eat about 1 1/2 ounces per meal. Doc also thinks I have a stricture, said my pouch is swollen and irritated so they are trying to sooth it with some meds. I should be up to 6 oz per meal, 6 times a day but that is not happening. I am finaly tolerating 6 oz of protein drink a day. I drink 2 oz at a time and it gets me 30g of protein. I am feeling a bit better since I started this. I know how you feel, I see some people post who are a month out eating more than I can eat. It is sometimes really frustrating! And I feel really malnourished ya know? Not healthy and full of energy like I see others post. I know I can eat a string cheese comfortably and that is 1 ounce, I cannot tolerate any meat. I've read about this cottage cheese test to see how big (or small) your pouch is but I haven't tried it yet. Anyway.... keep on keeping on dear. Your weight loss is terrifi****ep posting, I know the support is invaluable! Barb

Barb, I don't think I have a fobi pouch. Just a regular RNY. I do have a ring that they placed around it to keep it from stretching. Strictures I know. I am being opened for the 4th time on Friday. It is no fun at all. The cottage cheese test I have tried. Only thing is that it does not stay down long enough for me to find out how big it is. I am only getting about 8 to 10 grams of protein a day and less than 20 oz of fluid. Frustrated does not being to touch what I am. Thanks for the responce. Keep up the good work and I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Kat

Hey Kat, It sure sounds like you have a fobi pouch. A fobi (named after a California Doctor) is a regular RNY with a siliastic ring around the pouch. It is supposed to keep the pouch from stretching and keep food in it longer with better long term results. Either way, I hate that things have been so rough for you. With such a small amount of protein getting in you, you have got to feel like crap (putting it mildly)!! I wish I had a miracle cure for you. I thought I was bad off getting only 30g in. I will keep you in my prayers. Hopefully 4th time will be the charm. If you ever need to talk I am here. Barb

Kat, From the reading I've done...it is not unusual for someone who had such tough eating issues to have strictures and a small pouch. Getting food in there and staying in there will keep things open and even stretch it a bit which isn't a bad thing. I was told that my pouch was 5 cm which is about 2", I believe. Seems tiny to me but I'm surprised by how much I can eat sometimes. Nothing compared to what I used to eat but still. We had chicken wings last night. Mind you they were made Saturday and recooked to reheat so they were more dryer and shriveled last night but I comfortably at 5 wings (not the drumettes the other piece) without the tips and a piece of muenster cheese and I was done. Deli meat I can eat several slices of ham/cheese though quantity depends on thickness. Have you tried the Profect protein? It is collagen protein and not when isolate but...given the fact that the vials of it are only a couple of ounces for 15-20 grams of protein perhaps that would be a good thing for you now so you can keep your strength and health up while getting the other stuff resolved? I'm sorry that this whole process has been such a hard struggle for you. I wish I could wave a magic wand and make all the problems go away, I really do. Hugs to you! Kathy