How long does it take to stretch your stomach out?

I have been in an unorganized routine lately! We have been inbetween a move, and other things that has kept me from being on the right road. I feel like I am eating too much. I ate some oatmeal this morning (which I though was the sugar free, but it was 50%). My blood sugar dropped and I ate and ate peanut butter trying to get it up. It seemed like I could eat a lot. I hope that I have not stretched it out. How much is everyone eating at a time. I am so mixed up now, that I am back to being confused on what to eat. I was living with my daughter due to financial reasons, and now we have our own place. It is a small apartment, so we have everything in storage. Unfortunately, my books and papers got stuck over there, and Lord knows where it is. When I think about going through the storage unit I am overwhelmed. Any comments? Elisa

From what I understand it takes alot to stretch our pouches. At our group meetings it sometimes comes up and the typical reply is that someone would have to eat excessively over a period of time. (months maybe) So I would say it is unlikely that you stretched your pouch. Over time our pouches will stretch, but that is to be expected... hence why they make it so small to begin with. So I would say just get back on track. Protein first, vitamins, water etc.... I find that when I am hungry and shouldn't be... drinking something helps my brain get off of that hunger feeling. Just a suggestion that might also work for you. I normally can eat between 8 - 16 oz of food in one sitting. Depends on what it is... if I am eating solid protein... sometimes 4oz is all I can eat. So for example if I am eating chicken.... 4oz and I am full.... fish I can eat about 8oz. But this is also eaten slowly over about 30 min. Hope this helps.... but if you are still worrying, maybe call your nutrionist. Sherri

Elisa, I am glad to hear that you got your own place again..hooray to you!!! umm i eat still about a 1/2 to a full cup of food per sitting............i know i should eat breakfast but i rarely do i never have and i still have not got into the grind of doing it now...but i do have a protein drink..... i hardly think that you have stretched your pouch...... oh i remember the days of the storage unit UUUGGGGHHHH LOL good to see you on here and take care sweetie! Crystal

I just had a discussion with my friend today - she is a PA First Assistant with a bariatric surgeon (she did mine)... she said that anytime they have had to take someone back to surgery - for whatever reason - they always check the pouch integrity and pouch size. She said they have NEVER seen a pouch stretched more than twice the original size and that includes people who are up to 5 yrs post-op. Yes, you are able to take more in than you could initially, but it's because the pouch is more relaxed and because you may be eating "slider" foods - foods that go right through the pouch instead of staying in there a while to make you feel full longer. You should do a google search for "pouch rules for dummies" and read it - it's VERY good and will remind you of all the things you should be doing (and not doing). Best wishes to you!! Bekah