Question:
Is it possible to stretch your pouch out after 7 weeks??

i am 7 weeks post op from rny. i find that i can eat more that 1/2 per meal. is it possible that i could have already stretched my pouch.    — jackie L. (posted on February 27, 2009)

February 27, 2009
Yes, it is. The trick is not to eat until you feel uncomfortably full each time. Instead, measure out what you know you can and need to eat before you reach that point, and then stop. Don't wait until that feeling comes--because each time that feeling will take a little longer to come. I measure out before I start eating, and I passed my goal in less than a year. Best of luck.
   — suezahn4me

February 27, 2009
At this point your staple line is still healing. Don't push the amount you eat. It could have real serious effects, if you get a leak.
   — lesleigh07

February 28, 2009
I found that I don't get the sensation of fullness so I make sure to measure everything. I try to keep each meal to 3/4 of a cup or less, but feel I could easily eat more. I am almost 3 months out and have lost 77 lbs.
   — Kristi K.

February 28, 2009
Your pouch is supposed to begin to stretch a little. Eventually you will be eating enough to sustain a smaller person without starvation...You can tear your pouch if you over eat...You can stretch and damage your stoma as well. If you are over eating, you will have uncomfortable if not painful tightness...DO NOT eat til you feel that way...At that point you are over-full...Those days are OVER! You must avoid over eating on a daily basis...This is how you stretch your pouch over time. Put your entire meal on a plate..do not go back for seconds...Only eat enough that you do not feel hunger or tightness... but do progress to eating more as you will eventually need to eat like a regular small person to stay healthy...Go slow...No rush and do NOT allow your eyes or your head to determine your serving size. Listen to your pouch. Learn it's new signals and warnings, etc. You need to make the changes to eating "small" forever! At seven weeks I was eating only tablespoons of food 5-6 times a day...I couldn't handle most protein supplements so I had to get my protein in food...I still eat this way as I have much more energy all day rather than begin to feel weak and drained. I have kept my pouch small and tight as well by eating smaller meals rather than try to get in all my protein requirements in 3 meals and still eat a good balance of nutrients with fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, whole grains as well as meats and other protein foods. If it hurts...don;t eat that much...slow down...Let it progress naturally and you'll be fine! It takes a lot of abuse to stretch your pouch to the point that you cause damage...UNLESS you try to eat a portion as you did preop...You'd recognize "stretching" by the excruciating pain and nausea, immediately! You might not want to add more food for a while and just eat what you do now for a few more weeks...Don't rush, but stay healthy as well!
   — .Anita R.

March 1, 2009
Jackie.. congrats on your surgery.... I am a little confused when you say that you can eat "more that 1/2 per meal" 1/2 of what? 1/2 of the amount you ate prior to surgery? 1/2 cup? what is it that you are trying to say. You should be only eating small amounts and not drinking with your meals. The danger with drinking with your meals is that you will liquify the food and it will go through the pouch faster than if you had to allow it to digest and pass through on its own. While you can stretch the pouch itself, you can also the stretch the outgoing opening from the newly formed pouch into your duodenum. Be very careful. You should still be measuring your food and finishing the measured amount and not eating til you "feel full" Use your tool correctly. Consult your post op diet again and eat ONLY the amounts that they are telling you to. And, no cardonated drinks, either. good luck to you.
   — Kari_K