Question:
What is a normal size pouch?

My friend and I where talking and we have both had RNY surgery and we were wondering what is a normal size pouch immediatly post-op? She said her doctor told her that her pouch is 1 oz and that is very small. I would think that such a small pouch would cause more problems, so what is a normal size pouch?    — Marcy S. (posted on May 29, 2003)

May 29, 2003
My doctor made my pouch 1 oz. He makes his this small because the pouches do stretch in time.
   — Kim L.

May 29, 2003
My doctor says about the size of a small egg....he thinks a visual helps.
   — Oldsoul

May 29, 2003
My Dr made mine the size of a boiled egg aprox 2 ozs Ruthie In Sc
   — ruthie

May 29, 2003
Mine is now the size of a golfball and right after surgery I could only eat up to 2oz and now 8mo post-op I can eat between 2-4oz depending on the type of food I eat.
   — Sandy M.

May 29, 2003
i dont think there is a 'normal' size pouch. everyone is different & every dr is different. i think they try to use the same old 'tried & true' on each patient but im sure there r ppl that need something a little bit different. at that point im sure the dr uses his judgement as to what to do. my dr tries to make all his pouches 'no wider than ur pinky'. for the first 3 mos post op, i couldnt even eat 1 oz at a sitting. now at 17 mos post op, i can barely manage 4 oz. my bro in law, who will be 1 year post op on saturday, was able to eat 2 oz when his pouch healed & can now eat 6 - 8 oz at a time. but his weight loss is significant all the same. he has lost 140lb so far.
   — sheryl titone

May 29, 2003
My original pouch (1994) was 1 oz. The revised version was 1/2 oz. I feel safer in my head with the smaller pouch. I believe the MicroPouch is 2cc (and oz is 30cc), so it's inky dinky.
   — vitalady

May 29, 2003

   — Jazzy

May 30, 2003
I love all these visuals..eggs and grapes and pinkies! I'm not sure there is an answer for the norm size of a pouch. I've talked to people who have had anywhere from 1/2 oz to 6 oz to start with. My surgeon said mine was between 2-3 oz to start with. Ask your surgeon to find out what the starting size was for you and your friend.
   — Cindy R.