Question:
Can you really stretch your pouch???

I have read conflicting info on this...and I have never asked my doctor. Anyone know the REAL answer??    — kprobb (posted on August 5, 2007)

August 5, 2007
Yes, you CAN stretch your pouch, however there are conflicting ways that it is done. Some say you can with carbonated beverages, others say no you can't that way. Overeating DEFINATELY stretches your pouch. There are many ways to do this so this is definately a question for your surgeon and for your nutritionist. Good luck!
   — crystalsno

August 5, 2007
At surgery time, your pouch is as small as the size of an egg. As you progress in your weight loss and can tolerate more food, the pouch automatically stretches. As long as you portion your food intake and don't eat alot at a meal, your pouch will remain a relatively small size. If you try to defy the odds and eat more and drink and eat at the same time, or have lots of soda your pouch will expand. I agree that you need to discuss your concerns with your doctor.
   — Sheri A.

August 5, 2007
Yes Absolutely!!!!
   — Alvernlaw

August 6, 2007
Hi Kelly, thanks for your question. The people who say or affirm that you cannot stretch your pouch are usually people who have an ultra small pouch to begin with, so there is really nothing to "stretch". Most of us come with a 4 to 8 oz pouch, and it is perfectly normal for it to stretch over time. We start with just spoonfuls of food, and graduate to more food. More food means gentle stretching. If you want to know what your pouch size really is, then eat as much cottage cheese as you can in 5 minutes, that is the size of your pouch. Measure out in 2 oz portions and eat as many as you can in 5 minutes. This will keep tabs on your pouch. The stomach is a muscle, it stretches and comes back, but it does eventually relax some and stretch. Don't fear this, just live in food moderation and exercise well with drinking water. Do the do's and stay away from the don'ts and you will be ok. Take care. Patricia P.
   — Patricia P

August 6, 2007
I think Patricia makes an important point. The stretching of your pouch over time is absolutely normal, just as an adult doesn't have the same size stomach as a baby due to natural stretching. The part of the stomach we're left with is less stretchy than the lower part, but it's still going to stretch in time and that's probably a good thing as you'll be able to eat more like a normal person and get in more protein and vitamins although you'll still malabsorb them.
   — sandsonik

August 7, 2007
yes it stretches from about 20ml from day of surgery to about 4 ounces by a year. It can be stretched enough if you force it to regain a lot if not all your weight not so much by the size but what you are putting in it high carbs, simple sugars and fat.
   — DonnaB.

August 17, 2007
I'm a bit behind in posting but in case anyone is still reading... I don't have the answer for you, I think some stretching is normal, and in fact is expected and ok. The cottage cheese test tells you how much cottage cheese you can eat in a sitting, that doesn't not necessarily measure the size of your pouch. Remember, the pouch has two openings... one at the top, one at the botto. I highly recommend viewing the show MythBuster... they've done some neat shows with stomaches and pressure.
   — mrsidknee