Question:
Is it documented ANYWHERE, what size a pouch is standardly made with an Open RNY?

I am gaining weight like crazy. Having to attend Weight Watchers. Since May 2003 to present I have gained 50 pounds and had to buy bigger clothes. Not what I imagined going through having been had Gastric Bypass RNY Open and a tummy tuck. My surgeon that I see for my annual follow up appointments said that my surgeon did not make my new small pouch as small as it should have been made initially and that he left a loop with my intestines that should not have been done. And that my chances of keeping my weight off are slim to none. I'd like to know if it is documented what the standard size should be immediately following surgery so I can compare it to my doctors post-op notes of my procedure in hopes of getting a revision covered. PLEASE HELP, I AM DESPERATE!!    — Roberta C. (posted on June 1, 2004)

June 1, 2004
The "average" pouch size is 1 oz. or 30 cc's, but I think that has little to do with what you're experiencing. Something else is going on, whether it's that loop that your other surgeon mentioned, a staple line disruption, a fistula or a stretched stoma. Have you been scoped? Do you have a copy of your surgical records? If your surgery is broken, you should be able to get insurance to cover a revision. Good luck.
   — Leslie F.

June 1, 2004
I don't think that there is an average pouch size on record. I have heard of pouch sizes ranging from half an ounce to 6 ounces or so (DS). If I had to guess, I'd say closer to 2 oz for an RNY. You may want to check with NIH (National Institute of Health), to see if they have any standards or the American Society of Bariatric Surgeons.
   — Cindy R.

June 1, 2004
Mine was 4oz right after surgery. I've seen them as small as 1/2 oz up to 4.
   — RebeccaP

June 1, 2004
Each surgeon has their own standard as to the size of the pouch that they make for their patients. My doctor and the other doctors in his practice create a pouch that is the size of a shot glass or the size of a large egg. I am to not eat anymore than 1/2 cup at any meal and less than that at a snack. Hope this helps. Is it possible that the opening out of your stomach into your intestinal track is too large. You could have a small pouch but the opening is too large thereby letting the food pass too quickly out of the stomach making you hungrier faster whereby you are gaining weight because of that natural sensation of being hungry?
   — ChristineB

June 2, 2004
The average MATURE pouch size is 5.5 oz. Sizes ranging from 3 oz to 9 oz result in equal weight loss. Initially, the surgeon makes the pouch small (I think mine was about 1 oz and it reaches it's "mature" size in the first year I believe. Do a search on google for "mature pouch size" and then skip all the underwear results. ;-)
   — mom2jtx3

June 3, 2004
Hey Roberta, I would get in touch with your surgeon that did the surgery initially, and go back to him and ASK him what HE thinks the problem could be. Give him the opportunity to "fix" this problem. You can get an upper GI series that will show how big your pouch is, if there are any leaks, how big your stoma is and so on. And he can determine from there what is going on. If you are not comfortable going back to him, then try to find another GBP surgeon that will help you out and do all the things to figure out the problem. Sounds to me that you may need a "revision" of your surgery. Good Luck *~*
   — Marni