Question:
Everyone talks about stretching your pouch, how do you know if that has happened?

Had RNY in June 08, and some times I have eaten over the 2 oz. at one time, felt sick after. One time I had a little pain in my tummy, could that have been stretching my pouch?    — * S. (posted on July 24, 2008)

July 23, 2008
No what you are feeling is the new insisions on your pouch that is under pressure or just being rubbed by the food and drink. As it heals over the next 4-6 weeks you will have less unconfortable feeling. I am 7 months out and I just learned where to staop eating, and when. I can not handle about 5 Oz of food confortably, but I just don't eat until I feel full like I use to. I eat to live rather than live to eat. Watch the oil and carbs that you are eating as that can make you feel sick. I found that even fruit sugars in excess can make me feel ill. I read every label and am super cautious when eating out.
   — William (Bill) wmil

July 24, 2008
Your pouch is supposed to stretch a little over the first year...and eventually you will eat more. Overeating all the time is how your stretch out your pouch...Take a small balloon...You can keep blowing up just a little and it will keep going back to shape...Blow it over it's capacity and it's okay still...but KEEP doing it andit does stretch out and becomes easier to fill with air. It skrinks back down to a small size, but the stretching allows it to fill up a little easier. Try not to over eat...During the first few months, you move from very soft to more dense foods on a schedule...the reason is to gradually stretch the pouch without over stretching it...It takes a lot of absusive eating to stretch a pouch beyond help. Just pay close attention to it while you are eating...Eat til you are satisfied and don't worry about amount. Eat the right things and don't drink liquids with your meals...That makes the food on under the water very heavy for long enough to feel the pulling...and that's one way to speed up the natural stretching that should be more slow and not noticeable. So do not over eat...Take about two TBSP of food and stop eating when you are not hungry...It should take you about 20 minutes to eat your 2 T...If you rush thru it...you end up over eating because it take a while for the belly to give the brain the signal...So slow down..and focus when you eat until you become accustomed to youur new anatomy! And...RELAX! We all over eat now and then...Don't make that a habit! You'll be fine.
   — .Anita R.