Question:
Have I stretched my pouch already?

I am 6 weeks post op, lap RNY. I am on a normal foods diet for the past 3 weeks. Unfortunately, I had a horrible time with food last week. I actually ate potato chips for dinner one night. I didn't feel great after the chips, but I didn't vomit either. I am concerned that eating potato chips and probably 3 oz. of protein when I should be eating 2 oz. has made my pouch bigger and now I won't be able to lose the 100 lbs. I don't own a scale, so I haven't been watching my weight, but my clothes do feel looser. I walk 2 miles every day and I drink plenty of water, but I am scared that I've ruined my chances of getting down to my goal weight. Any thoughts on this matter?    — Elizabeth B. (posted on March 26, 2001)

March 26, 2001
No I dont think that you have stretched your pouch. When eating any king of foods if you are chewing it well it should be thin enought that as you are eating some is already passing through so it may appear that you can actually eat more. I had a problem with this at first thinking that my pouch was too big or questioning if the surgery had even been done on me. Everything that I was eating was just about liquid and therefore I wasnt getting that full sensation until I had some fat free pretzels and that filled me up because of the density. You should be fine. It takes a lot of over eating to stretch your pouch but I would suggest not pressing it too far too often. As far as the scale thing...please keep it out of your house! You will find your self weighting every five min to see if you have loss a pound. Just keep doing what you have been doing and try to take it easy on the junk food.
   — Tanya P.

March 26, 2001
No, don't buy a scale! Take your measurements and watch yourself shrink! If you can go without a scale, that is great!!!! You haven't done any harm so far, so don't worry. Try to avoid potato chips, but a slip up won't kill you or your chances either. 3 oz. of protein is fine, if you chew and take your time, you can easily get in 3 oz at a meal. Best wishes
   — Cindy H.