Question:
I am scared; have I stretched my pouch?

This am I ate an egg w/ a slice of cheese and a piece of toast. Some mornings I cannot eat all of it, but this am I could. Also, I find myself sometimes hungry between meals. Is this just head hunger or have I stretched my new pouch to the point of where it's going to be like before surgery. I am sooo scared that I am going to screw this up. All last night I did not sleep because I worried about screwing this up and gaining all the weight I have lost. Is there a place where they have sample menus for post ops? Any info will be greatly appreciated! God bless!    — dixieb (posted on June 19, 2003)

June 19, 2003
Hi Dottie! Don't be scared. What you ate is a great breakfast! How far out are you? That is really the judgement issue... you can't stretch your pouch that easily, okay? My body gets hungry sometimes and I can eat that much at one sitting, but it takes me awhile. Also, you can't stretch your pouch out to the size of a "typical" tummy anyway. It does stretch some, but... not that much! It also depends on what surgery you had. Some surgeries enable your tummy to return to the typical size. I know RNY doesn't, but I heard that DS does. Now, I might be wrong, but that is just what I am aware of! If you want a good diet and recipies, read my profile! :~) Hugs!
   — Sharon M. B.

June 19, 2003
Hi Dottie, Don't worry hon, you are going to be okay! I am now 4 1/2 mths. post-op and everyday is diff. for me on what I can or cannot eat. Some days I can eat alot more at one time for luch or dinner or even breakfast, and some days I can only handle just a few bites and I am done. It is a weird thing, but it is totally normal, and what you had for breakfast is not much at all, I can eat that amount too sometimes which I consider not much so you are all right! And sometimes I get hungry inbetween meals , so I try to either drink something to fill me up, or cut my meals alittle smaller at the times I am hungerier and try to eat 4-5 smaller meals every 2-3 hrs. that day! But, anyway you are doing great, I thought the same way as you did too at first for awhile when I found myself eating alittle more at times, but I found out that you need to as you go along, so you will be fine!!! Good luck to you!!!
   — Melodee S.

June 19, 2003
As time goes on, you do get hungry again. It's usually around 6 months, but for me it was early, more like 4 months. This is normal. It would be nice if our appetite never came back, but alas, this is not the case. Follow the pouch rules as you get further out. Dense foods (like chicken or ground beef) stay in the pouch longer. Don't drink w/ meals. For me, the longer I wait after meals to drink the longer it takes to get hungry again.
   — mom2jtx3

June 19, 2003
dottie, my surgeon says it is very hard to stretch ur pouch. not sure how far out u r, but that sounds pretty normal. im almost 11 months post-op and for breakfast i had 1 1/2 scrambled eggs w/cheese melted in them, 1 slice wheat toast, and 4 slices microwave bacon. so u will b just fine.
   — amanda W.