Question:
Can hold only about an ounce and a half at a time

I had my surgery on 7/21/03 and I can't eat or drink 2 oz. at a time-- can only hold about 1 1/2 oz. at a time. It is a struggle to get enough water in every day to keep from being dehydrated and I feel that I am not taking in enough protein every day either. Will my pouch stretch soon?    — Wendy T. (posted on August 22, 2003)

August 22, 2003
Let's hope that your pouch doesn't stretch any time soon! What you need to do, unfortunately, is try to plan when you'll be eating and to then not drink for at least 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after that meal. This regimine can be tough, particularly given that you are only now starting to be able to handle solid foods. Consider trying to have some Carnation Instant Breakfast to provide some nutrition and hydration (a good choice early in your process) or the Isopure Zero Carb protein drinks (they are clear, flavored and contain at least 15 grams of protein). Good luck!
   — SteveColarossi

August 22, 2003
I just had mine on 7/30 and I'm about the same as you. I can eat 2 oz of some things and other times, not. I had the same worries. What I am doing is getting up early and following a regimine of when I eat (because I also have a side-effect of not having any interest in food at all). To up my protein, I am drinking more skim milk - it is surprizing how much protein is in milk. This helps with my liquids as well. The string cheese is sitting well with me for stacks and seems to almost completely disolve in my mouth. they are 7g protein each. If you can tolerate sweets, there is a great canned protein shake that has 35 g protein in it...ultra pure protein (sold at Trader Joes for 2.19 per can). For me, they are too sweet so I switched to the milk. Good luck to you - I think the other poster is right...we don't want our pouch to stretch any time soon.
   — Donya P.

August 22, 2003
I am 6 weeks out now and down 52 lbs. I am still having a problem with the fluids. I also am just not interested in food anymore, its a chore just forcing myself to eat. Only thing I can tell u is that u must drink fluids, I ended up in the emergency room with severe dehydration, had to stay in the hospital for 3 days getting fluids. Best of luck
   — DANNY C.