Question:
Help with fear of stretching pouch

I need some REAL insite if it is possible to stretch that pouch that is above the band? I had surgery Aug 8 and have had 3 fills but can eat a cup to two cups at each meal. Sometimes i can eat and I dont feel full -- other times i can eat and then 30 min later i am stuffed too much with the feeling only being right under my ribs of the stuffed feeling. I havent really heard anyone with a band talking about situations like that and I would really like to hear some feedback of people that know about this. I read the questions all the time and everyone has alot of information to help us newbies that are still learning. even though i can eat same thing everyday somedays im hungry more then others. I have two protien shakes a day with two small meals averaging from one cup to two cups. Sometimes i have a snack of cottage cheese or sugar free jello with canned splenda fruit. Any help would be appreciated. I have lost 40 lb since Aug in case anyone wants to know that to help me out. thanks a bunch    — kitkat2008 (posted on November 11, 2008)

November 11, 2008
You are so lucky to have lost that much weight. I had Lap Band weight loss surgery June 6th and I have only lost 10 lbs. I too could eat almost anything and I especially ate at night non stop from dinner to bedtime. I ate kind of healthy and I exercised like crazy but nothing came off. I have not lost any weight since Sept. I am now joining a gym and using a treadmill. I just had another fill yesterday. I think that this time the Dr. finally hit the right spot and I am not snacking or eating more than 1/2 cup of food at a sitting. You may not have found that special spot that tells you that you are full. Good luck. Susan
   — susangielda06

November 11, 2008
It is called pouch dilation when it stretches and it is possible. You should come to the lap-band board, you will find lots of people with this question...it happens when you overeat and when you throw up from eating too fast, not chewing enough, etc....You should never, ever eat until you feel stuffed with the band. You should have an upper GI to make sure you don't have a prolapse, but it sounds more like you are stretched. You should never eat more than 1.25 cups according to my surgeon, and you should stop as soon as you are not hungry. Your loss is good but you are risking messing it up be eating too much...down the road. You also should be eating solid protein, not shakes. Shakes should only be used as a supplement, not as a main part of your diet. Come see us at the lap-band forum, there are a lot of great people there. I had surgery Aug 5 and have lost 72 lbs including pre-op (just in the prior month). I have lost 43 lbs since the day of surgery, and I was a "lightweight" (BMI 39.8 day of surgery).
   — kerniec

November 12, 2008
If you aren't throwing up, you probably have just not hit the right amount of restriction yet. This can take several fills (up to 8) It took me 4. I you have not hit the right restriction, food is still passing through quickly enough you should not have stretched anything. I lost only 25 lbs in the 1st six months waiting for restricton. Remember 1-2 lbs a week is what is "normal" weight loss for the band. If you are throwing up, etc then it is possible you have stretched the pouch. Most people get a signal when they are approaching "full". Mine is a hiccup. I can now tell a couple minutes before the hiccup is coming & stop eating. This takes time to learn. Others have different signals, sneeze, runny nose or something. Watch for & learn yours. This will prevent the "stuffed" feeling, throwing up and pouch stretching
   — Donna O.

November 12, 2008
thanks for all the insite -- how do you know if you stretched the pouch?? can it be stretched in this short of time?? i had surgery Aug 7 of this year. how do i find the lapband forum??? please keep helping me thanks
   — kitkat2008

November 13, 2008
You guys gave good info, I also worry about stretching the pouch. I can eat 6 ounces, maybe 8 but I stop myself. I lost all my weight in the first two months and now it is slow. But when i got a fill, food got stuck so they took out 1cc. I only eat solids and snack on cheese or lots of peanut butter on a graham cracker. My doc said 3 meals and 2-3 snacks. solids stay longer in your stomach and you don't feel so hungry. but i honestly drink if it is not meal time to fill myself up. gotta get that 64 oz of fluid a day. like you, i almost never feel full but i tell my self someone paid over 20k for this surgery and by george i am gonna make it work. good luck
   — aliann