Question:
What is the difference in pouch size

What is the difference in the size of the pouch? Does a smaller sized pouch initiate a faster weight loss?    — [Anonymous] (posted on January 18, 2002)

January 17, 2002
I attended my surgeon's informational seminar just last night, and she explained that the smaller pouch causes faster weight loss. If I understood her correctly, it's because of the non-elasticity of that portion of the stomach, and the types of nutrients that part of the stomach absorbs.
   — Claire C.

January 18, 2002
Perhaps. But, my observation is that those with slightly larger pouches 2-3oz. are usually healthier than those with micro pouches. I'd rather lose weight a bit slower or even lose a little less and be healthy. I wouldn't want to be a size 6 with severe nutritional deficiencies.
   — [Anonymous]

January 18, 2002
Weight loss with the 'regular' pouch is incredibly fast, I don't know why they are doing them smaller. There have been fantastic results with them. I don't know what kind of long term studies have been done on that new 'micropouch'. You would have to research that. I know there was a 'mini gastric bypass' that was new and ended up being a real dud. People were having all kinds of problems.
   — Cheri M.

January 18, 2002
If you lose weight even faster then you are definitely going to have to look into plastic surgery, more skin mush.
   — [Anonymous]

January 18, 2002
I have had the micro pouch. I don't think we lose any faster. The food empties into the intestines faster thus causing a feeling of fullness sooner. The pouch does not stretch, which over time, some RNY patients have complained of being able to eat so much more than they wished they could. Ending up making it harder to lose, and easier to gain after the 18 month window. No acid is in the micro pouch, so absolutely no GERD, (reflux). The stomach is transended and my dr bypasses 150 cm. He calls it a medial. LOL I am 5 months out and have lost 90 lbs. The weight loss is slowing a bit now, and I am having to work a little harder, but that is ok. Micro pouchers tend to keep their weight off a little easier, but I don't think we lose faster. We absorb and don't absorb the same as some one with a larger pouch, as the absorbtion takes place in the intestine. Hope this helps people with that question.
   — Phiddy B.

January 19, 2002
I have been looking into this "micropouch". It has been prefected over the last 17 years, and 2,000 have been done over the last 7 years. The results have been good. No revisions, and over 90% of patients have lost at least 75% of their excess weight in two years. The malabsorbtion is no different than an RNY with a larger pouch. If anyone knows where this is preformed near Wichita, please let me know!! Thanks! I would be one at risk to stretch my pouch!
   — Jessica C.