Question:
Is there any way to NOT stretch your pouch?

Is it possible to NOT stretch your pouch out in the first little while, or is it a given?    — Kimberley E. (posted on September 6, 2002)

September 6, 2002
hiya! my doc made my pouch between 1-2 oz and i was told that it would stretch to 6-8 oz (for men it is usually up to 12oz) depending on what i eat, i can eat around 6-8 oz so i think that is about right. you don't "feel" it stretching i just posted the cottage cheese test for another lady and that will give you a tool to measure your pouch. good luck feel free to email me if you have any questions: [email protected] kate open rny: 6-14-01 pre op: 268lbs goal: 135lbs current: 130lbs
   — jkb

September 6, 2002
Yes. We're taught to try to keep original size til goal wt. We start with 1/2 oz pouch, so we do 6 meals, 1-2 oz only. A meal lasts about 15 minutes. Then that's done, we're done. If you graze, it's painless pouch stretching, or you can use the starve & stuff method, which is a few large meals. I prefer a tiny meal every few hours. Holds the blood sugar fairly steady & kept my small pouch. We actually measure food.
   — vitalady

September 6, 2002
My surgeon says p[ouch stretching is a overrated problem. Sure they sretch a bit but they are made with the very top of the old stomach, the least stretchy part. Just dont intentionally stuff yourself and quit worrying about it.
   — bob-haller

September 7, 2002
Pouches don't just stretch, they become naturally bigger through a process of hyperplasia. After the first six to 12 months, the pouch averages 6 oz in size. After the second year, the pouch appears to not get larger (unless you deliberately and constantly over eat). Studies have shown that at 6 oz, or at 2......the size of the pouch isn't as important as how well people learn to "use" it, to feel full and satisfied, but not over eat and not swallow hi cal easy to guzzle liquids. (info from L. Flanagan, Gastric Surgeon and author of "Measurement of Functional Pouch Volume Following Gastric Bypass Procedure." Ob Surg 1996; 6:36-43.
   — Katie E.