Question:
I am 5 1/2 months post op and have lost 78 pounds 268 down to 190

and am more then pleased with my progress but I am a little concerned because I have read some posts that say long term our pouch only will hold 8oz and I can already eat a whole 8oz lean cusine dinner and feel full but not stuffed, also I keep reading about enlarged stomas and am beginning to wonder if I have one? but my wight loss has been great I think so far I quess I am worried about long term I don't want to gain the weight back.    — kathy B. (posted on May 29, 2003)

May 28, 2003
Kathy, so many things factor intohow much we can eat, because each post-op eating program is different. If the amount you are eating is in keeping with your surgeon's plan then I would not worry about it. <p>I have a very tiny pouch (1/2 ounce) but I am able to comfortably eat 4 ounces at my meals, which is technically 1 ounce more than I should be eating, but that's a story not worth going into. I also have had good steady weight loss so I just keep doing what I have been and know that it will all work out in the end. I am 16 weeks out.
   — zoedogcbr

May 29, 2003
It also depends on the consistency of what you are eating. For example, soft foods, or even crunchy foods like popcorn, chew down to nothing so you can pack in more of those, but things like chicken-no way you could eat an 8 oz chicken breast. If you are full after a lean cuisine then you do not have an enlarged stoma. Those with enlarged stomas never feel full as the food never gets a chance to stay in the pouch, it just drops right on thru. As for long term and the possibility of regain, keep in mind that most(exact percent I don't know) regain 10 percent of what they lost-its called bounce back, I think, and is normal but usually doesn't occur until 2 years or so post-op. We all fear long term weight gain as many post-ops further out are experiencing some regain. Its usually because they are not using the pouch correctly-they are letting bad habits back in, like grazing, slacking off on water and exercise. At 5 1/2 months, you have a long time to go before you stop losing weight or face regain.
   — Cindy R.

May 29, 2003
If it helps, I also started at 268 lbs., also lost 78 lbs. in about 5 1/2 months, also could eat a whole Lean Cuisine at 5 1/2 months (actually, before that, even), and reached goal anyway. My "rebirthday" is tomorrow (one year post-op). I can still occasionally eat a whole Lean Cuisine, and despite my initial big fears about that, the Earth hasn't fallen off its axis and it didn't make me regain or "stretch my pouch" beyond normal WLS size (so far as I know). ;~D It IS scary to realize at first, but like the other posters pointed out, it all depends on the texture of what you're eating (I could do a whole "Lean Cuisine Ravioli" at four months, and a whole "Chicken Enchiladas Suiza" at seven months, including rice, if I wanted to). Usually I don't eat portions that big, but sometimes, if I'm hungry, I do. It's okay and won't mess you up, though I'll admit that I usually take the LC Ravioli (or LC Mac & Cheese), split it into two meals, and eat something else as my "protein first," using the LC as a side dish. Bon appetit!
   — Suzy C.