Stretch Phobia- 4 days postop

 So Im now for days out and Im suffering from "Stretch Phobia",  its a term I made up after surgery. I hear so many things about risking your pouch by strecthing it early on. I feel so delicate. I barely wanna move because Im scared I may inadvertenly slipped my band. Its a living hell but I am a born worrier. Also My NUT wants me to drink up to 8oz over a hour every hour for 15 hours. There's no way I can keep up with that, its crazy and of course I worry about liquid strecthing my pouch, can that even happen? Yesterday I had a few spoonfuls of soup from panera bread (cream based) after that it was hard to think about drinking another 4oz.....any tips, and am I worrying too much about the liquids stretching out my pouch this early on. I am just so scared and really want this band to work!

I am only a couple days out of surgery myself...I was told  to drink between 1-3 oz every 15 minutes..I do not believe you can stretch your pouch by following the guidlines that were given to you. I would worry more about becoming dehydrated and all the risks that involves. As long as you wait at least a half hour after eating your soup before sipping more fluids, you will be fine. I know that I am not the most experienced poster on the board, but I hope that both of our Dr.s wouldnt be wrong!.. :D
Good Luck and try not to worry..You will do just fine!

Breathe!

Liquid will not stretch your pouch.

In total, the amount of liquid your nutritionist wants you to drink is reasonable (120 oz). Obviously it's going to be much harder at first, but you'll get there! I think he or she just doesn't want you to end up becoming dehydrated, which for me, tends to actually change my restriction a bit. I feel much better if I drink all day versus drinking a bit in the morning and then 60+ oz at night. Unfortunately, I'm 2 years out and that's still hard to keep up with!

Follow your surgeon's plan and you should have no trouble. If however you don't feel that something is right, don't hesitate to call your clinic.

Good luck!!



From Allergan's Lap-Band risk info page:

There have been some reports that the esophagus has stretched or dilated in some patients. This could be caused by:

Improper placement of the band
The band being tightened too much
Stoma obstruction
Binge eating
Excessive vomiting

Drinking is not likely to stretch your pouch, since the liquid goes through so fast. Honestly, I drank about 6 oz. at a time at first. I do know that is not recommended but I didn't know why until later. No bad effects. I tried to slug the protein drink in the hospital 3 hours post surgery! The nurses had a fit but that was more because of the likelyhood of vomiting. I only did that with the UGI stuff I had to drink.

That pouch is tougher than you think. Don't abuse it but don't be fearful either. Eating too much food is very likely going to be a problem, but drinking, no.

I had stretch phobia too lol (nice term) but you get over it. I think mine lasted about 6 months then I was able to relax a little. Don't worry about liquids or anything else at this stage in being banded. You haven't been filled yet so it is unlikely that you would do anything to stretch your pouch.

Jen

I had the exact same fear at first, and it was actually the first thing I asked about at my post-op appointment. I was told that liquids go through like a funnel, so not to worry about them and just stay hydrated.
Try to relax and sip, Sip, SIP!

Nance