Question on pouch stretching?

 I was wondering if any one new if our pouch can really be stretched out from eating.  That question came up at one of the NUT classes,  My nut says no the pouch doesnt stretch out.  Any one had any experience on the pouch seeming to be bigger and you eat more that what you could or should?  If the pouch doesnt stretch then why do you stop losing or why can some sit down and eat fast food and gain all the weight back?   A hummmmm question?any inputs and advice welcomed. now its time for me to do some excersing and house work and un packing you all know the good stuff we have to do when you get back from being gone. Annrenee

The NUT said "no", that your pouch doesn't stretch? That is weird. Actually, right after RNY surgery, your pouch is about an ounce. It does start to "stretch" out over the next year and you are able to tolerate and eat more things. No, your pouch will not stretch to the size it was before but yes, it does do some stretching. I guess maybe your NUT said that eating too much does not stretch it. I think that could in essence be true because if you eat to much, your stomach doesn't "morph" to fit it. That is why you either throw up or get sick because it has no where to go. But I would say, yes, that your pouch does stretch out some and become bigger the further out you are from surgery and eating a lot of food during that first year could contribute to it stretching more than it should. I believe that is why they want you to stick to the diet during the first year. You should only be eating 4-6 ounces for the first 6-8 months (or whatever it is your Doc recommends). I really tried to stick to that and measured my food before I ate. I think know that I am over a year out, I can eat a lot more and I know there is a big difference between "Net Weight" in ounces and Net Volume In ounces. So, I think your NUT should have explained it better about the pounch stretching normally like it is supposed to as opposed to jsut saying "no" your stomach will nto stretch because you ate to much.  Of course, all of that is just my opinion and my understanding of the whole process.

I agree with Misty, it does stretch some but not back to the before surgery size.  I would say that other factors add to gaining.  Speaking for myself (I gained 60 lbs back), I started drinking with my meals, so what was happening with me was that I was flushing the food out of my pouch quicker and able to eat again sooner.  You will always only be able to eat so much and then it is going to come back up. Hope this helps. Darlene

Hi Annrenee, I'm 19 months out, and I can still only manage about 4 bites of food.  We aren't to have more then a cup of food a day.  Quit snacking too,  even just 3 M&M's can make you sick.  Snacking is a no no.  You can stop loosing called a plataeu, if it happens then  you need to drink more fluids.  I agree with Misty and Darlene.  It can stretch over time.  But if you eat too much, you will be throwing it back up.  I do it all the time and not from just eating too much.  I throw up what is in my throat that can't get into the pouch as it's full of food.  Like medication.  As for not drinking during the meals, that's true, but if I don't drink with my meal,  I start choking because it won't go down is because I need to have my throat dialated 3-4 times a year, and I wear dentures, so it hangs onto the back of the upper denture.   But yes your pouch will stretch out as you lose the weight and start adding more food in your diet.  Always eat the protein first, before anything else.  I still only take a spoonful of the other foods, so I don't end up wasting a lot of food or trying to eat it.   Love ya