Question:
How many mm is considered a large stoma?

Does anyone have any information on how many mm is considered an enlarged stoma. I've had trouble with overeating and never feeling full right away post op RNY. I complained early on, which didn't make me popular with the surgeons. After two endocopies and one upper GI, it was determined that my stoma is 14-15 mm and classified as too large. Anyone else with a stoma this size, and have you been successful losing weight.    — staceynw (posted on December 30, 2004)

December 29, 2004
From what I know 14-15mm is fine. My surgeon normally does 10-12 during the original surgery but many times has to dilate larger due to people having eating issues. He ended up dilating mine to 15-16mm when I was 3 months PO. It didn't suddenly cause me to eat tons more but it did stop the throwing up. I am almost 23 months PO and yes I can eat quite a bit more than I used to and yes it moves through faster, but that is what happens over time. Our pouches and stomas become more efficient and can move the food through faster. I do not feel the size of the stoma he opened it up to has anything to do with it. It's my eating habits and the things I choose to eat. I still get a full feeling if I'm smart enough to listen to it and stop eating, which unfortunately I don't always do. I've lost 252 lbs and have stayed in the same 5-10 lb range for the past 10 months, so I am happy with the results.
   — zoedogcbr

December 30, 2004
I forget the 'range' they do for stoma's but you can be 'in range' and still have a non-functioning stoma for YOUR body. I had a non-functioning stoma and was tested I belive it was 12 which was 'in range' but not working for me. YES you can still loose - I lost 150 in 10 months; but you have to be deligent about dieting. My main concern was that without the stoma functioning and no restriction maintenance would/ and was 'harder'... since you dont have your tool to help you control the volume going in. I eventually had a lapband put on over my RNY which has helped alot.
   — star .

December 30, 2004
Thanks for your posts. I'm nearing 8 months post op but I've only lost 60 pounds and lost that during the first six months. I haven't lost anything in nearly two months. I'm very concerned that my stoma isn't functioning for me because I have no restriction. My surgeon says they make the stoma at 15-mm each time but that scar tissue should close it up some for adaquate restriction, but if it gets smaller than a dime, then there could be stricture problems. I tell ya, at this point, I would have rather had the stricture!!! At least I wouldn feel like such a failure.
   — staceynw

December 30, 2004
Wow, am I scared. Had to be scoped last month. Doc was a little concerned about how small my pouch was didn't realize how small until now. He said it was 3 mm. I have no problems at 16 months out.
   — danigirl

December 30, 2004
My surgeon shoots for 11 mm. I have no idea what size mine is now though.
   — Fixnmyself

December 30, 2004
to put into perspective, 10mm = 1 cm. and 2.5 cm = 1 inch. or 25mm =1 inch. (approximate translations) a 15mm stoma would be slightly more than 1/2 inch.
   — **willow**