Question:
Has anyone had thier pouch reduced?

I have gained 30lbs since I lost 150lbs (RNY in 2001). I had an endoscope and my pouch has gotten much larger. No surprise, since I can't stop eating-especially sugar. Has anyone had the pouch made smaller by having it done endoscopically? If so what type of success? Thanks, Donna    — Donna B. (posted on August 10, 2004)

August 10, 2004
You can srink a pouch endoscopically? I have heard of getting a band on the pouch but not an endoscopic procedure.
   — mrsmyranow

August 10, 2004
What do you consider much larger? Our pouches start out anywhere from 1/2 an ounce to a few ounces and do stretch naturally over time to an average of 6-10 oz. Thats normal. The pouch is usually made from the least stretchiest part of the stomach and is very difficult to overstretch, unless you have stuffed yourself silly over and over again (my surgeons words!) When you say you can't stop eating, do you ever feel full? If not, I would ask, do you have a stretched/enlarged stoma, which can happen after surgery and would have been revealed during the endoscopy. If so, there are some surgeons now that are attempting to correct this, usually by placing a ring around the stoma. As for having a problem with sugar, welcome to the sugarholics, me included. Sugar is highly addictive and the more you consume you more you crave. Supposedly if you detox yourself from sugar for more than 3 days to a week, and load up on protein shakes, you lose the craving. I've never tried it willingly, just learned to control (and not always successful) my sugar intake. I've decided that life is not worth it without my daily sugar, but many others have decided that their lives are better without the control that sugar has over them...
   — Cindy R.

August 10, 2004
Not trying to be rude here, honestly, but if you can't stop eating - especially sugar - then why would you have this surgery again? Sounds to me like you wouldn't be a candidate for any further procedures until you get control of yourself. Gain control of the eating disorder that you have first and then have your procedure done...Your chance for success is SO much greater that way. Good Luck!
   — Myra Jane

August 10, 2004
The pouch does get larger - thats NORMAL. If the weight gain is from 'eating sugar' having a smaller pouch will not help... Sugar GOES down easy - choclate melting is basially liquid. They do NOT reduce the size of the pouch endoscopically sorry :(
   — star .

August 10, 2004
I can only echo what others have said here. You cannot have your pouch made smaller endoscopically. My pouch was the size of a thimble after surgery and would stretch to hold about 4oz. He told me it would be very hard to stretch the stomach from eating unless you were constantly gorging yourself. Sugar is very hard to get a hold of. I prepared myself in advance of the surgery for getting that demon out of my life. I am almost a year post op and have not had sugar. I am better off for it and feel much better. Try kicking it if you can. If you really have food demons, I would suggest that you go for counseling that can really help! I am speaking from first hand experience.
   — [Deactivated Member]

August 10, 2004
Donna~everyones pouch will stretch to an extent. How big your stomach ends up depends on how big it was to begin with. When I had surgery they made my pouch 4 ounces. That is on the large side. So after it is all said and done, my pouch will most likely be bigger than most. I also has my RNY in 2001, so I am battling the fact that I can eat ALOT. This may also be something you are dealing with. Since I can't access your profile, I don't know.<br>I could sit here and tell you how important it is to get ahold of the sugar issue, and tell you to go back to protiens. But I cant. I'm in the same boat as you. When you gain some after surgery, especially 30lbs you feel just like the failure you thought you were pre-op. I know. You have the rest of your life to get back on track...start small. This is what I am trying to do. As for your question about making the pouch smaller. Most surgeons won't do it, especially if you admit to being non-compliant. And it is not possible to do it endoscopically. Best of luck to you hun. Rebecca
   — RebeccaP