Question:
If I have streched my pouch, is there a way to shrink it?

Hi, I had surgery a little over 5 months ago. After 2 months my WLS told me to go ahead and eat what I wanted but when i started to feel full to quit...So i did this..however I feel I am eating too much..I stop when I feel full but for instance...I can eat a 6" sub from subway using only half the bread. (I have since found out that I am not suppose to have bread I guess...very good surgeon but very poor after care..I basically have no clue what to do or not to do) Anyways I dont want this to be for nothing..I have lost 75 pounds but have stayed the same weight for over a month now...some one please help if you can..thank you, cin    — kurve (posted on February 9, 2007)

February 9, 2007
I too am at the 5 month mark. I CANNOT eat anything I want! I am amazed you can eat a 6" sub even without bread I cannot. I have lost 75 lbs too. so both of us seem to be on the same track and seems normal amount to have lost. I have not lost anything in the last 3 weeks and I eat virtually nothing....so I will be interested in seeing the responses too. Do you do the protein shakes and the like as well? I cannot stand those things either!
   — dessary316

February 9, 2007
As of this point, I am 8 months out. I can eat maybe 1/2 of a bottom bun and 1/2 the meat and cheese of a Subway ROUND sandwich. You are definitely eating way too much, in my opinion. From what I understand, the stomach is a muscle. If you stop stretching it, it will shrink. Will it shrink back down to your surgical pouch size? That's hard to tell. Here is what I suggest... The hardest part for me post op was finding portion control that didn't make me feel over full or not full enough. In a 20 minute period of time I can eat about 1/3-1/2 cup of food. I suggest going back on the protein shakes 2-3 times a day, and then eating NO MORE than 1/2 cup of food at each meal. Make sure it's healthy food, protein first with veggies second and fruits third. Stay away from the junk as much as you can. Sure, it's ok to have a bite of something once in a while but that doesn't even mean once a day. Allow yourself a treat for keeping to this strict regimen for a certain period of time, like a bite of ice cream or 1/4 slice of a small piece of pizza. I'd also do a cottage cheese test to see exactly how much your pouch will hold. Then after doing this for a month, do another one and see if it shrinks. If not, then you need to focus on eating healthily WITHOUT stretching your pouch any more. Do a search online for cottage cheese test and you'll find places that tell you how to do it. By eating healthier, and placing your focus on protein first and limiting the portions you should start to lose weight again, even if you have stretched your pouch. Just remember that just because you CAN eat it... doesn't mean you should. This is a tool to help you lose, not the total solution. Good luck and I hope this helps.
   — oceanrayne

February 9, 2007
I am also 5 months out and have lost 116lbs. This is not normal but I don't touch bread, pasta or rice. Per my doctor. Go back to your 4 oz of protein. Are you drinking pop? Stop if you are. Because you are so new it should shrink fairly easy from what i understand. Good Luck!
   — Lost4Ever

February 9, 2007
First of all, you may be experiencing a plateau, and you may start losing again. I am over 4 years out, lap RNY and I stopped losing weight at 8 months out. However, I have not regained any weight and have managed to lose about 15 more lbs in the last 6 months. Weight loss is still a matter of calories in and calories burned, as the surgery is not magic. It is a tool.( I did not use protein supplements until I was about 6 months out; I got my protein from actual food. )There is no reason you can't have bread if you can tolerate it. The key is moderation. It is difficult to learn how to eat the right portion size. Most of us morbidly obese people don't have a clue what "feeling full" actually means or feels like, pre or post - op. Also, as food goes into the pouch, it gets moved through as you eat. Food does not go into your pouch, sit there until you are done eating, then start moving. Instead of beating yourself up about eating "wrong" foods, get yourself a food journal and write down everything and how much. Or, start measuring out 3-4 ounce portions so you become familiar with what that amount looks like. Last, even though I am 4 years out, there are times that I can eat a 6" sub and other times a cup of soup is too much!
   — koogy

February 10, 2007
I would also suggest that you seek the help of a qualified nutritionist if you're not getting what you need from your surgeon, particularly someone who is experienced with bariatric patients. You have been given a great tool to control your weight, don't ruin it by being unsure of how to take good care of your pouch. Good luck!
   — jlw0423

February 10, 2007
Your aftercare is as important as the surgery. Based on the size of your original pouch, its true you can eat most of what you want - just not in the same portions as before. However, most of what I was eating before is what brought on the diabetes, high blood pressure, high chlolesterol etc. So for me, it is about change. I am trying to incorporate a healthier eating lifestyle and that means not pushing the limits with foods that are bad for me. I am no angel; but I'm not a dare devil either. Your brain and muscles need carbs, so I have a few complex carbs like oatmeal; however, I have not had "sweets". For now I am concentrating on increasing the protein content, ensuring that my caloric content is sufficient to support my lifestyle. I do believe that the pouch stretches and if you limit the amount of intake it can shrink back a little. At two months post op, there are times I can get more in than other times. Your concentration has to be a balance of protein, water, fiber and water (64 oz of water). Sigourney B.
   — Sigourney

February 10, 2007
They say stay away from brad cause it swells up . I perosnally cant get much bread past my rings so it comes back up . I did at one point start eating goldfisg and peanut butter and then came to a stand still on losing weight . so I went on to other things and have lost 200 in 2 years . I eat what I want including chips , and some candies . I am still losing weight . keep your head up hun .
   — LongBeachDiva

February 12, 2007
Wow! 75 pounds in five months is amazing! That is 25 pounds a month on average!!!! You should basically be following the Atkins Diet: lots of protein and few carbs. Carbs make you crave more carbs!
   — Novashannon