Question:
How do you know if you've streched out your pouch? Can it happen as early as 3 mos?

I'm trying not to drink with meals but it's become a very hard habbit for me to break for some reason. Can you strech out your pouch as early as 3 mos post-op RNY? I always feel that I eat too much. How can you tell if you are? What is a good rule of thumb to follow? Other than when you feel full obviously? I feel that when I'm full I've had too much to eat. Is this possible?    — Allison T. (posted on July 2, 2002)

July 2, 2002
Hi there, I'm only 12-days post op, and I'm unsure about stretching your pouch so early on. However, I want to share with you what my nutritionist shared with me. Basically, you really need to work on not drinking with your meals, it takes less "just food no drink" to fill your pouch. If your food is mixed with liquid it will take longer for you to feel full. Solid takes up more space than liquid. I was always one to drink at least 2 full glasses with there meal, so I know it will be hard for me too. I don't know if this will help, but right now I am not allowed to eat (still on full liquids) more than 1 cup of food at a time. Now, I still am sipping at least 32 oz of water a day. Good luck to you! By the way, you may want to check into the "cottage cheese test", this will tell you the size of your pouch from what I've read.
   — stacjean

July 2, 2002
Hi Allison, your fears are completely normal and understandable. None of us wants a stretched pouch:~) We probably all wonder this at one time or another. Its because as time goes by, you are able to eat a little more and then a little more. And you are comparing what you are eating now, to what you could eat early on post-op, which was closer to a tablespoon. I remember at 3 mo. being able to eat an entire taco and flipping out, and asking about that here. I was so relieved to hear that it was normal and I was fine. How much are you eating? Post it here and others can let you know if they think its too much or just right.
   — Cheri M.

July 2, 2002
I am almost 4 months (-75lbs) and I sometimes wonder if maybe I have stretched my pouch too. A typical day for me is a boiled egg, 1 slice low fat wheat toast for breakfast, a banana for snack, 1/2 a sandwich for lunch, and 1/2 to 3/4 a Weight Watcher or Lean cuisine meal for dinner and sometimes 1/2 cup nuts for a snack. My dietician says my portions are good but still there's that part of me that's not sure because sometimes an hour later after I eat I'm hungry again and sometimes I do finish my other 1/2 sandwich or the rest of the meal. I try to eat protein to stay fuller longer and to not feel hungry I drink as much water as I can in between meals. As far as drinking with meals, its just something you have to do. I avoid salty or spicy foods so I am less likely to reach for a drink but every now and then I forget and take a sip, just a sip is harmless but drinking a whole glass the food is not going to stay with you and you'll feel hungrier faster. The way I look at it.....I think it is possible to stretch out your pouch this early on and if it happens you're pretty much on your own, so as long as you are eating healthy food and smaller portions than pre-op that's all that matter. My dietician also said at 3 months and up a meal should be about 1 cup in size and 600 to 800 calories a day. Just focus on eating healthy and water, water, water!
   — Angie B.

July 3, 2002
Well, if it's any help, I have lost 185 lbs. and remember the following approximate "pouch sizes" at various times in my journey. Months 1-3 (1-2 oz.), months 4-6 (3-4 oz.), months 7-9 (5-6 oz.), months 9-12 (7-8 oz.), months 12-15.5 (approx. 8 oz.). From what I understand, your stomach should remain about 8 oz. for the rest of your life, as long as you aren't purposely stretching it. If you're able to eat, for example, 8 oz., and you are only 3 months post-op, I think you need to bring this to your doctor's attention asap.
   — Terissa R.

July 3, 2002
Terissa, I have been following you closely through your journey and have been so envious. =) I am so happy you posted your answer! I immediately bookmarked it. I think it was the most helpful thing for me personally that I have ever seen on this site! Thank you! I am almost 6 months out and have been averaging 4 ounces and I feel so much better now!
   — Nichole B.

July 3, 2002
Alison, I thought I had done the same thing. After all, how can my pouch be 2-3 ounces when I can eat 3/4 of a 10 oz Lean Cuisine?? I confessed to my surgeon at my last appt and he said that I was eating too much and that probably the food was backing up into my esophagus tube (doesn't feel like this to me, tho). Anyways, he sent me to get an Upper GI to check the size of my pouch and to my relief its still 2-3 ounces...I try to eat a few less bites now!
   — Cindy R.