Question:
Can drinking lots of water stretch your pouch out?

Hi, I'm 4 weeks post-op, and am having a problem getting all my water in. I'll take a few sips and feel 'full'... I'm just afraid that the water might possibly be stretching out my new pouch. I'm probably being paranoid, but I'm just worried I might be stretching it out! Should I be concerned?    — aokerlund (posted on September 5, 2003)

September 5, 2003
You are being a bit paranoid! lol Water can't stretch your pouch.....Drink Up! Good Luck. Lap RNY...2/11/03...250/158/140
   — Hazel S.

September 5, 2003
It is possible to stretch out your pouch during the first couple of weeks by overconsuming water. Also, regardless of how far out you are, you need to be mindful of not drinking while you may have food in your pouch. Therefore, try to avoid drinking for at least 30 minutes after eating. Also, as long as you are sipping, you shouldn't have any problems. But, if you are still nervous, make it a point to ask your surgeon or his staff about it. Good luck.
   — SteveColarossi

September 5, 2003
My surgeon says pouch stretching is a overrayted problem and to not worry about it.
   — bob-haller

September 5, 2003
The good news is, you will probably find it easier to get liquids down within another month or so. Liquids flow through the pouch, rather than sitting in it, once the pouch has done its early healing (and you're still in that early healing phase, where it's really hard to get your water in). I'd like to hear of just *one* case of someone "stretching their pouch" by drinking too much water ... sorry, but I think that's a man-bites-dog kinda theory, and just doesn't happen in practice. It's much more important to avoid dehydration than it is to worry about pouch stretching from drinking water. Sip, sip, sip ... get as much water in as you can. You don't want to wind up in the hospital dehydrated because you didn't drink enough due to a misplaced fear of stretching your pouch. Also ... in the long run ... be aware that the pouch, once it heals in the upcoming months, is *supposed* to stretch a bit. Hang in there!
   — Suzy C.

September 9, 2003
Early on when I drank too much water, it just filled right back up my eshaphgus! Now that is a strange feeling. And foolish me still does it, occasionally, to this day! I am 71/2 months post op and just now am able to eat almost 1/2 cup of food...so obviously my pouch hasn't stretched too much.
   — eaamc