Question:
How do I know if I am filling my pouch up to much?

I have been struggling trying to get all my fluids in. I am almost 2 weeks post. At times I fill like that some of the liquids are staying in my esophagus. Could this mean I am over filling my pouch even though I have only drank 2 to 3 oz.? I will give you a quick run down of what I have had today. Breakfast- protien shake 8 oz over 30 mins. lunch 2 oz of oat meal. 16 oz of water over 2 hours and a Popsicle. I feel as if I can not put anything else in me or I will pop. Any suggestions please?????    — hlopez (posted on March 15, 2009)

March 15, 2009
you probably need to just sip a little all day, and not try to get it all down in 30 minutes, also, I use eas 100% whey protein, chocolate, and I put it in 4 oz of milk, and you still get most of the protein, and just remember to sip slowly, it is good as long as you fill full, but don't overfill or it will stretch your pouch, I am a year out, and I feel my pouch is stretched a little to much right now, so just remember to take it easy!! Lisa
   — Lisa Koch

March 15, 2009
I'm 2 years post op lap/rny. I think you might be eating and drinking too fast. It's better to sip liquids all day than to gulp them down. Sometimes I felt so full I thought I'd get sick until I looked at what I was actually eating and it wasn't much. I just had to slow down. When you start on solid foods it's very important to eat slowly. I wasn't careful once and got some tuna stuck in my system and felt it moving through my body allday. It was kind of fascinating being aware of this but not enough to try again! The advise of eating a small bite and putting your fork down is good. Also, the bites should be no bigger than an earser end of a pencil. You've probably heard all of this but I did too but didn't always follow it and sometimes I paid the price. I learned then!
   — Muggs

March 16, 2009
I'm curious about the Oatmeal. I'm 3 weeks out and the only thing that I can have is Cream soups along with my protein shakes and regular liquids, i.e. Crystal light, Skim milk, etc...
   — TMurphey