Question:
I am 2.5 weeks post-op gastric bypass. How hard/easy is it to stretch the stoma?

I am concerned, only because I ate some scrambled eggs and oatmeal in the first 2 weeks, and had discomfort. I am wondering if that discomfort meant that I was stretching my stoma. The LAST thing I want to do!!    — Jemma (posted on May 13, 2010)

May 13, 2010
Wow i'm shocked you were able to eat anything that soon ! My Dr insisted that I wait a month before trying to eat anything and even then, it was sugar free applesauce. I had my surgery Jan 4th 2010, am down 98 lbs but still really can't eat much. Last nite I had ONE Ziti noodle and was vomiting. The nite before I had one small piece of cantelope that I chewed very well and still got sick. Soup and applesauve is about all I can comfortably eat and if I have anything else, i've got major stomach cramps and vomiting. Good luck !
   — KQinNC

May 13, 2010
I would say make sure you continue to measure your food and to K you should be able to eat more than applesauce that is something you should let your doctor know!!! Because that was 3 mos ago that does not sound normal. I cant eat noodles at all but I can eat the same food my family does just smaller portions.
   — Sylvia M.

May 14, 2010
I would be worried as well. I can NOT believe you were able to eat that. I was on a liquid diet for 2 weeks post op. Then could go to mushy foods like oatmeal type foods for 2 weeks..and it may have even been 3 weeks each. I can't remember exactly now. I would do EXACTLY as your dr says. Your new pouch is still healing and shouldn't have been able to handle that type of food so soon. I would be very careful. Good Luck. And God Bless!
   — callen3640

May 14, 2010
It is very easy to stretch it out and it does not shrink later. After 30 months (2 1/2 yrs.) I placed the band on too. Well I'm still struggling. It;'s almost as I had never had any Weight Loss Surgeries.
   — Michael Eak

May 14, 2010
Everyone is on a different post-op diet after coming home from the hospital. Sweetie, in my book, oatmeal and eggs are considered mushy foods and not that bad. I was sent home on pureed foods .... however, mushy, soft foods was the next level. Don't worry about it and just continue on your journey. I am 10 1 /2 months post-op and down 153 lbs
   — happypeach

May 14, 2010
Karen, something must be wrong for you to only be able to eat mushy foods at 4 months out. That is not normal.
   — happypeach

May 14, 2010
I was placed on a soft food diet before I ever even left the hospital. If your doctor says it's okay for you to have these foods, then do what he says. Just make sure to not exceed the amounts they tell you that you can have and be sure to eat slowly and listen to your pouch. You want everything to heal properly the first several months. You're supposed to have discomfort if you eat too much or too quickly. If you feel discomfort or begin to feel it, stop what your doing. I asked a lot of questions like this at first because I was paranoid about stretching anything out. The answers I got from the doctors and nutritionist is that you have to consistantly over eat for a long period of time to stretch your pouch and stoma. I reached goal in 9 months (106 lbs). You're doing fine!
   — Alicia H.