Question:
How can I tell if my pouch has been stretched?

I am 2 years post op. I went from 276 pounds to 132 lbs withing about 14 months. I'm about 5'6 and have started gaining back the pounds I lost. Currently, I am about 150 lbs. I'M SCARED OF BEING FAT AGAIN!!!! Please help. What should I do?    — ALICIA M. (posted on July 2, 2002)

July 2, 2002
How much are you currently able to eat at one sitting? What types of foods are you eating? It's almost impossible to give you a straight answer without knowing more information. I can tell you that at 5'5" (a bit less) I was way too thin at 137. Do you have excess skin? 132 might have been too small for you and your body is readjusting. Do you work out? Have you developed muscle mass? There could be a lot of reasons for the gain; good reasons perhaps. Maybe you should try to check out a support group meeting in your area. Have you gone for your 2 year followup with the surgeon? What does he/she think? Sorry for the rabbling but these are all things to consider!
   — Jeannet

July 2, 2002
I have always heard that after you lose all of your weight, then you will gain back 10-15 lbs. to where your body wants to be. It basically re-adjusts and finds a comfortable weight. I'm 5'6" also, and would love to 'finally' be at around 135 so I completely understand your concern. Even though 150 is a normal BMI for us. Hope you figure it out.
   — Cheri M.

July 3, 2002
I don't know if this will apply to you or not, but my dietician says over and over again..NO calorie containg beverages! EVER. She said this is how about 80% of folks that gain back their weight do it. I am still a pre op so I don't have personal experience to go by, but I know she has been working with WLS folks for about 13 years and is pretty experienced.
   — Tami D.