2 questions

Hi, I'm 5 months out and worried about potential weight gain.  I have two questions. 1.  Does vomitting stretch the pouch? 2. What are the statistics of weight gain after RNY? Okay, I guess I have 3 questions.  :-) 3.  When is the pouch most vulnerable to stretching?  The first six months or after that initial honeymoon period? Thanks for helping out.  I'm sure you've heard the same questions a zillion times.  I appreciate you taking the time to answer them once again. Laura

I don't know the answer to that.  It's gonna be interesting to see what everyone has to say

1. i always thought that yacking was way better than suffering w/ what ever was paining thus causing the pouch to stretch. Rice & some pasta always get me. when evr i had too much - i'd dump b/c 1 - i was totally sick & 2 - thought it was better than possibly stretching the pouch. 2. sadly, i think you will find the stats for weight gain after WLS is very high. though i dont know the exact figures - i think you will find a lot of the Sr. Grads from this board are familiar with those issues (including myself) &  3. WHAT "honeymoon period"?!?!?!? lol I think your success is soemthing you have to work at daily. If you neglect it, you can & will regain. its that simple. unfortunately, i got careless w/ the food & the vits & now im trying to regain that control. You are still very new & have a while b/c your WL starts slowing.  My advice is that you remain mindful of everything & take nothing for granted. Stay on your vits & off the carbs. :) **boy do i wish i were where you are now. oh to be 5 months out & looking at the possibility of being 150 for the first time in my life since i was in the 7th grade**

Thank you so much for your response.  Unfortunately, carbs are my downfall.  I do eat my protein first and have to remind myself to keep doing that from time to time, but when I snack it is on carbs.  I feel like I've gotten lazy and need to get back on track.  That is why I got back on the boards and started posting.  Thanks for the support!

hey why are you vomiting?? are you eating foods that are making you sick?? weight gain after RNY is a very real thing.  all of us must be vigilant every day and the truth is it gets harder the further out you are. i think the pouch stretches for the first year or so according to what i remember from my doc.  but everybody is different with that.  it seems some ppl are very prone to that and others seem not to have that problem good luck jacki

Thanks for your response.  Sometimes I vomit because I eat too much before realizing it.  I need to start measuring my food again.  I've lost the ability to eyeball it.  And sometimes it is because either I didn't  chew well enough or it was a food that just isn't bariatric friendly for me (I'm coming to realize that pork is the devil for me) I'm trying to relearn the rules because I have gotten lazy with them and I don't want to regain or stretch my friend, the pouch more than natural.

Laura,

(1) I have no idea whether or not vomiting stretches out the pouch. I wouldn't think so. All I ever heard/read was that eating too much can stretch the pouch. (2). I haven't seen any stats on weight gain after surgery. I think it would be interesting to see, though. There are many people who don't gain weight after surgery. Just keep listening to your pouch and it shouldn't happen. Easier said than done, I know. (3). The pouch is ALWAYS vulnerable to stretching. I'll be three years out on Aug. 1 and mine didn't stretch until the last few months. However, after roughly six mos. after surgery it stretches a little to allow me to eat a cup of food. It stretched a second time because i was stupid Live and learn, right?

Bex

Thanks so much for your response.  I appreciate the support. 

I found this for ya! Gotta love google!

Abstract Background  A certain weight gain occurs after obesity surgery compared to the lower weight usually observed between 18 and 24 months postsurgery. The objective of this study was to evaluate weight regain in patients submitted to gastric bypass over a 5-year follow-up period. Materials and Methods  A longitudinal prospective study was conducted on 782 obese patients of both genders. Only patients with at least 2 years of surgery were included. The percentage of excess body mass index (BMI) loss at 24, 36, 48, and 60 months postsurgery was compared to the measurements obtained at 18 months after surgery. Surgical therapeutic failure was also evaluated. Results  Percent excess BMI loss was significant up to 18 months postsurgery (p < 0.001), with a mean difference in BMI of 1.06 kg/m² compared to 12 months postsurgery. Percent BMI loss was no longer significant after 24 months, and weight regain became significant within 48 months after surgery (p < 0.01). Among the patients who presented weight regain, a mean 8% increase was observed within 60 months compared to the lowest weight obtained at 18 months after surgery. The percentage of surgical failure was higher in the superobese group at all times studied, reaching 18.8% at 48 months after surgery. Conclusion  Weight regain was observed within 24 months after surgery in approximately 50% of patients. Both weight regain and surgical failure were higher in the superobese group. Studies in regard to metabolic and hormonal mechanisms underlying weight regain might elucidate the causes of this finding.

http://www.springerlink.com/content/012pl1161010n53x/

Leslee

Thanks for that information.  Those are scary stats.  I hope I am one who can avoid large gain.  I hope I can stay mindful of my pouch and avoid that.  I am trying!  Carbs are my downfall though!  I have a tremendous sweet tooth! And it takes quite a bit of sugar to make me dump.  I can handle a regular sized candy bar but not a kind sized one.  Want to know how i know this??? Yep, tried them both!  UGH!