Increased capcity???

Alright, I am about six months out and down 100 since surgery and 150 total.  Here is my concern i know that things will not stay as tight as they were after surgery but how did some of you old timers deal with the increase capcity.  I mean I eat nowhere like i did before surgery, but for the the first six months that quick tighness after a couple of ounces of food became a comfort and great safety.  But now i feel like I am having to force myself to stop even before the tight feeling.  For example I ate one slice of pizza tonight with the family.  A month or two ago it would have been a feat to finnish the slice, but tonight I ate it granted slowly but I could have eaten another piece if I wanted to, which has me nervous.  I know at some point you can not just rely on the tool but must make real changes.  Anyways how have some of you dealt with this.  Or have I ruined things by stretching the pouch out. Jason

I've been this way from about the second month. I've always been able to handle a lot more food then the normal post-op.

I'm curious to see what the old-timers say as well. I know in my surgeon's post-op manual it does say that after about a year you should be able to eat a "normal-sized" meal. Even that would be a big change from what I used to eat so my thoughts are lose all the weight I can, get used to being healthy and exercising, then just adjust to eating, working out and living like a naturally "thin" person.

No more super-sized or double portions, just regular meals and skip the junk food. In the long run eating that one slice of pizza every so often will still be a lot better than scarfing down a whole extra-large all by yourself (or should I say myself).

I am only two months out. I have found that at times I think I can eat more but if I overeat it comes back up. No fun in that. Best bet eat until you are satisfied not full. 

Also there is the whole head hunger thing where your head tells you that your hungry but in actuality you are not.

Best bet, if it keeps bothering you ask your saw bones about it.  

This old timer (if you wanna call 2 years and 3 months old time) asks why you are even thinking about eating pizza at 6 months out.  Jason, this only leads down the path to darkness again (so to speak).  You should be making healthy food choices, lots of protein, only good carbs, and little of that for now, lots of H20 and exercise.  I doubt you've stretched your pouch out, although it is only natural that you can eat a little more now than you could immdiately post-op.  I can only eat up to 8 ozs. at a time, and thats pushing it.  But again, even now, I wouldnt dream of having a slice of pizza.  Just my 2 cents, but you asked.  Good luck and be well. John

There is nothing wrong with a slice of pizza. Four slices of pizza is a different matter. All things in moderation.

There are days I can eat more than I would have thought 3 months post-op, and there are days where a bite of the wrong food will instantly make me regret I ate it. Life after WLS is a life long journey best taken one day at a time.

As for your pouch, yes it will stretch a bit over time, but it will NEVER return to the size of the football your stomach was before surgery. Nor will you ever be able to absorb the calories from fats or carbs in the same way as you did pre-RNY.

Best of luck - You are doing great!

I guess my biggest thing is losing the feelling of tightness that came sooner than it does now.  As far as diet, I am pretty consistent in eating what i should and I do excersice pretty aggresively so i feel confident in occasional liberties in choices.  I have acutally found that occasional liberties helps in the over all program because if I go to long eating the same items over and over then i find myself completely avoiding them.  For example, I really killed my self with tuna and chicken salad in the beginning, to the point that I could not eat them any more.  I almost got that way with chicken breast, so the occasional variation helps with a more consistent eating pattern.

Just got back from the local support group this evening.  The moderator (RN) shared that the pouch should expand to about 5 oz from 1 oz in the beginning.  If it expands to 8 oz...look out.  More room to gorge.  Work the tool as long as you can.  The first year is key...New eating habit...Not testing your limits.  Brian

Jason, Moderation in all things works well for many, For others, not at all. Moderation works for me. I have the occasional slice or two of pizza, But most often, I stick with dense protein, Low-Glycemic Carbs (lots of veggies) And very little starch- (white Carbs, bread, noodles, potatoes, etc) I can eat a normal sized plate of food At most any restaurant. And I’m full, not “in pain-stuffed” just full. Do I order the 18oz Ribeye? No, but I can throw down a filet mignon In any restaurant, polish of the side order Of steamed veggies, and even get to the bottom of the salad bowl. A glass (or two) of pinot noir to wa**** down too. Dessert?  Nope, too full, I’ll have coffee after with cream. Capacity does increase, the “trick” FOR ME, Has been to watch WHAT I eat, just as much as HOW MUCH. For others, they find that eating SOME simple treat-type carbs Like crackers, chips, pizza, etc… Serves as a trigger and keeps them craving “junk” All the time.  For them- Abstinence seems to work better. We’re all wired differently. The real “trick” is figuring out how YOU are “wired.” I wouldn’t worry so much about the size of the pouch But rather- “How to use it to the best end.” Best Wishes- Dx

I have had a couple slices of pizza since my surgery in October. But for the most part don't miss pizza near as much as I did in the past. One reason, it fills me up waaaayyy fast and secondly, all I really eat off of it ist he cheese and topping. I find most meals, I am able to eat about 3 or 4 ounces at most, depending on what it is, but there has been a couple times, that it seems like I ate a ton more than that. I think it's just how your stomach wants to be on given days. Some meals, I struggle to eat 2 ounces without knowing it.