Question:
10 MONTHS OUT

I'm worried that I'm eating to much and I've streched my pouch. I know you've heard that a million times but I need some advice, please. I'v been eating about 3-4 ounces of protein, I almost always measure it. Last night I ate 5 ounces of chicken and a half of a jello cup. I felt quite full, but not to the point of being sick. Also last week I had a whole slice of pizza minus the crust and the cheese off of another slice, I thought that doughy stuff would make me feel more full? But I really wasn't that full. I rarely eat bread or pasta. Is this to much? How often must you over stuff your pouch before you stretch it out, other than normal streching. Once or twice a week, everday? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!!!    — Kelly* P. (posted on November 5, 2003)

November 4, 2003
I think that you are eating fine. I can eat about the same amount at almost 10 months out. Are you still losing weight? If so then don't worry about it. If not then you might want to keep a food diary for a few days (every morsel and be brutally honest!) so that you can readjust things to suit your needs better. As far as stretching your pouch goes, you need to over eat on a very regular basis in order to permanently stretch your pouch beyond the normal stretching.
   — Carol S.

November 5, 2003
I am nearly ten months out and I think you are eating fine. it is more than i can eat but I have a lot of problems with any kind of meat and can't eat more than a bite or two. Wish I could. I think your amts are fine.
   — Delores S.

November 5, 2003
It sounds like you are doing fine. I'm 10 months out and I eat about the same. I eat alot of meat, epecially steak, healthy choice lunch meats.
   — debmi

November 5, 2003
It does sound like you are eating proper amounts. There is no answer to how often you overstuff before you stretch it...the pouch does naturally stretch over time, from our starting 1/2oz-2 oz size to 6-10 oz size by the end of a year-18 mo. I've heard that it is constant over eating that stretches the pouch, and of course, we should try to avoid doing so, but like all, we are human and tend to misjudge and overeat from time to time. On my profile I have a normal days menu for 1 year post-op...
   — Cindy R.

November 5, 2003
I am 4 months out and I can eat that some days. I wouldn't worry unless you feel your weight loss is slowing too much.
   — mrsmyranow

November 5, 2003
doesn't really sound like that much. My dietician said that at this stage (10 mnths out,where I am too), you are eating about the amount that you will eat for the rest of your life. I eat about 7-8 ozs a meal, sometimes a little more, sometimes less. Bread doesn't fill me up nearly as much as I thought it would. My doc said I am on track, so it sounds like you are too!
   — thekatinthehat