Question:
Can I stretch my stomach out 3 weeks post op?

I have been on liquid diet for almost 5 weeks, had liquid diet 2 weeks post op. When I first had surgery I was not able to drink a lot of liquids, and not very fast, now I am drinking regularly and am able to drink faster, my concern is if I stretched out my pouch from drinking too much too fast? I know it sounds ridiculous. I just feel so frustrated. btw... I had RNY 5/20/08    — stefanie_matthews (posted on June 5, 2008)

June 5, 2008
Yes you absolutely can. You can pop the staples too and get peritinitis. If your drinking I dont think it is so much of a concern as if your eating and eating things you shouldnt be.
   — Joanc

June 5, 2008
I don't think you can stretch your pouch from liquids...they don't stay in your stomach and build up like food does. The reason you're able to drink more and faster is that the swelling from the surgery is going down and your stomach, although much smaller, is getting back to "normal". Just stick to the guidelines when yous start eating solids and you should be fine.
   — cjjordan

June 5, 2008
Come on folks. Water just flows to the gut. The reason you can dirnk more than just sips, is you insesions are healing and they are not being agravated by the liquid. You can stuff yourself on food, but you will find that it will back up in your throut before it will streach a pouch. I am talking from the RNY side. I know the lab band has some different effects, and there is more stomach material to streach there, but water, flows to the gut! It is not possible to have water sit in the pouch if you are just drinking. That is why they tell you not to drink for 1 hour after eating. That allows the food to pass into the gut and the stomach to empty. If you just had a pinhold in a plastic bag, water will not stand in it. It is going to leak out. The opening in the stomach to the gut is the size of your thumb or if it is small, then your middle they finger.
   — William (Bill) wmil

June 5, 2008
Water passes thru too fast to stretch your pouch...unless you are eating and then drink and letting food sit heavy on top of the food. Otherwise you are doing just fine. Don't listen to silly horror stories, unless you are totally abusing yourself, or in chronic pain...The pouch does stretch some over time anyway, or ypou'd never eat enough to maintain good health. As long as you are not in pain, you are fine drinking. Eventually you will be able to eat a small meal like a little person. That is what's supposed to happen over the year or two post op...The rest is maintenance. It sounds like you are doing fine since you have no pain that you mentioned. What is it that you are frustrated about? Don't be afraid of drinking too much, unless the calories and / or carbs are very high...Then you might feel concerned. You don't want to be drinking 1000 or more calories a day just yet. Water, you can drink all day with no worries!
   — .Anita R.

June 6, 2008
Liquids don't stay in your pouch, they flow right through. Perhaps you were fearful of drinking too fast before. I remember my doctor telling me chew, chew, chew. It sounded ridiculous at the time, IT'S LIQUID! But I realize that he wanted me to get in the habit of pacing myself. Chewing each gulp 20 times ment I was pacing myself and it was at least 20 chews before I went for the next bite or drink. Good tool to have, especially when you start eating solids.
   — bariatricdivalatina

June 6, 2008
As the inflammation goes down and your insides heal, you will be able to tolerate more food and drink (variety and amount). Measure foods and use the same dishes to eat from. BTW, an emergency room doc told me that it takes about a year for the insides to fully heal.
   — gonnadoit