Question:
I am wondering as time goes by does your pouch

allow larger amounts of food. Most of the time I eat like I should. and if I over eat it feels like a ice cube and its stuck in my chest. I dont understand why a little can hurt so bad and a lot goes right down I'm not saying a hugh plate of food I know I only should of eat 1/2 of what I did. I feel rotten like why did I do that I no I will not eat a bigger choice of food just because It didnt hurt that time. I was wrong for doing that. I hope I did not stertch my pouch. I no I was wrong. [email protected] I am going to find a group to join Im so scared I dont want to start bad habits I have been doing so good. thank you for listening.    — lmiller9840 (posted on March 25, 2009)

March 25, 2009
Lisa I had the GBS last July 2nd. The pouch is made of part of the stomach, and like the stomach is smooth muscle. Smooth muscle like the stomach and intestines, have a certain amount of stretch to it, and will expand to a certain degree. When you first have the surgery, the pouch is tender and healing, so yes it's easy to hurt it. That's why they want you to eat soft foods and sometimes liquids at first. I did not say "stretch" it, although this happens to some extent. What you are asking is "Does the pouch stretch and remain over extended", and my answer to that would be, "If you gorge yourself on a regular basis and KEEP it over extended, it will EVENTUALLY lose a degree of elasticity and conform to the larger size. After a period of time, preferably a year, you can take the 5-day pouch test to check...but it probably will just renew your pouch and reassure you. You should know if you are abusing it. You should be eating on a saucer for a full meal. Not a saucer with a half foot of food on it. :) You should be able to comfortably hold about a 1/2 cup to 1 cup of food after six months or so. Please allow yourself to remain satisfied with that if you want to really have the benefits you altered your body for. Exercise, however you have to do so. Take your vitamins and minerals, and that would include iron if you are a lady. Drink your water, 64 ounces over a day above any occurring naturally in foods. I'll even drink the liquid from vegetables we open. Some are quite tasty, and you can compile them and add tomato juice and make your own "V8" juice. You need 60grams of protein per day, unless you want organs like your heart to be part of your body's daily diet. Eat your protein FIRST during a meal. I snack on Jerky during the day, and chicken bouillon,Onion bullion, a little garlic, and some beaten eggs make a delicious egg drop soup. I pouch eggs by breaking them into the boiling broth. They come out delicious and the broth helps your fluids. Egg whites are almost pure protein, and one of the purest sources we have. Bottom line, a little imagination goes a long way. Again, one time is not likely to stretch the pouch beyond redemption, but you should let it be a caution not to continue to over do it. Good luck and God bless you on your journey. Please do not hesitate to ask about concerns. That's what we are supposed to be here for. I was 426 pounds at my highest, due to juvenile onset diabetes. I had the surgery last July 2,2009 and as of today I am 267 pounds. I had a bladder infection and had the Foley catheter in for a month after the surgery. My largest incision became infected and had to be opened and remained so until it sealed, in October. I started losing in October, and since 10/5/2009 I have lost 113 pounds and 25 inches off my weight. It's worth it. Hang in there. Dusty @};-
   — Dusty Ray Vaughn

March 25, 2009
Lisa I had the GBS last July 2nd. The pouch is made of part of the stomach, and like the stomach is smooth muscle. Smooth muscle like the stomach and intestines, have a certain amount of stretch to it, and will expand to a certain degree. When you first have the surgery, the pouch is tender and healing, so yes it's easy to hurt it. That's why they want you to eat soft foods and sometimes liquids at first. I did not say "stretch" it, although this happens to some extent. What you are asking is "Does the pouch stretch and remain over extended", and my answer to that would be, "If you gorge yourself on a regular basis and KEEP it over extended, it will EVENTUALLY lose a degree of elasticity and conform to the larger size. After a period of time, preferably a year, you can take the 5-day pouch test to check...but it probably will just renew your pouch and reassure you. You should know if you are abusing it. You should be eating on a saucer for a full meal. Not a saucer with a half foot of food on it. :) You should be able to comfortably hold about a 1/2 cup to 1 cup of food after six months or so. Please allow yourself to remain satisfied with that if you want to really have the benefits you altered your body for. Exercise, however you have to do so. Take your vitamins and minerals, and that would include iron if you are a lady. Drink your water, 64 ounces over a day above any occurring naturally in foods. I'll even drink the liquid from vegetables we open. Some are quite tasty, and you can compile them and add tomato juice and make your own "V8" juice. You need 60grams of protein per day, unless you want organs like your heart to be part of your body's daily diet. Eat your protein FIRST during a meal. I snack on Jerky during the day, and chicken bouillon,Onion bullion, a little garlic, and some beaten eggs make a delicious egg drop soup. I pouch eggs by breaking them into the boiling broth. They come out delicious and the broth helps your fluids. Egg whites are almost pure protein, and one of the purest sources we have. Bottom line, a little imagination goes a long way. Again, one time is not likely to stretch the pouch beyond redemption, but you should let it be a caution not to continue to over do it. Good luck and God bless you on your journey. Please do not hesitate to ask about concerns. That's what we are supposed to be here for. I was 426 pounds at my highest, due to juvenile onset diabetes. I had the surgery last July 2,2009 and as of today I am 267 pounds. I had a bladder infection and had the Foley catheter in for a month after the surgery. My largest incision became infected and had to be opened and remained so until it sealed, in October. I started losing in October, and since 10/5/2009 I have lost 113 pounds and 25 inches off my weight. It's worth it. Hang in there. Dusty @};-
   — Dusty Ray Vaughn

March 25, 2009
Lisa, I just wanted to say thank you for posting this. I have the same concerns and feelings of the bad habits creeping back in. What I have done is joined a local support group for WLS, and then for my other aspects in life, I was already in a 12 step program, and since they do not have an overeaters anonymus in my town, I just stretch my imagination at my 12 step program meetings, and it seems to help. I also have had to get very specific with some of my close family and friends about what I want and need for support. Not sure if this helps, but I wanted you to know you are not alone. I had GBP 11-4-08 and have lost 82 lbs so far, and NEVER want to go back to 1 day of feeling like the "old me". Good luck Jen
   — jen_kill

March 25, 2009
Lisa, there are telephone meetings and online help for Overeaters Anonymous. You could even start your own meeting. I find OA very helpful to me! (Much cheaper than my 6 months of therapy:) I like it very much!) Good luck, Rena 4/30/08 RNY Duke NC grateful at 110 lbs; 117 lbs gone forever!!
   — RenaMansi

March 25, 2009
Thanks for this, Lisa, but don't beat yourself up. One of the worse things we can do is equate emotions with food. You'll be doing fine - you know what is going on.
   — Muggs