Question:
How do you know if you stretched out your patch???

I am 6 months post op gastric bypass. I feel like I can eat more now and I am afraid Ive stretched out my pouch. Is it possible to do that after 6 months?? Please someone help me. I am really afraid.    — jackie L. (posted on June 25, 2009)

June 25, 2009
Even if you can, don't eat more. I am 18 months out and still eat on a six inch plate. I have lost over a hundred lbs. not bad for what they consider a "lite weight".
   — lesleigh07

June 26, 2009
My surgeon told me never eat more than 1 cup at a meal - ever! And he does not want any snacking. That is what I am working on now - 9 months after surgery I have found myself grazing now and then - so although I don't eat more than a cup at a meal, over the day it can add up many more calories. I was also worried that maybe I stretched out my pouch, so I did the 5-day pouch test. It was great for getting me back on track and cutting out the carbs I had started eating. Plus, I lost about 5 lbs during those 5 days! Probably mostly water, but I felt much better and it helped to motivate me again.
   — Wendy M.

June 26, 2009
You will get to where you can eat more over time. Not as much as you use to but more than right after surgery. I know how scary the whole process is since you want the best outcome posible. Just keep your portions small and skip the carbs. You will be fine.
   — trible

June 26, 2009
Your pouch will naturally stretch out over time. Don't worry, it is okay. Right after surgery your pouch will be able to hold 1 oz of food. Then over the course of time, it will be able to hold 8 oz. but that will be about a year or 2 out. The way to keep in check, is to do the cottage cheese test. Fill a measuring cup to the 8 oz mark, eat until you are satisfied, so listen to your body and really focus on the full feeling. So then check to see how much you have eaten and that is how much food or oz your pouch is. So reflecting back......It will stretch out naturally.
   — Kristy