Question:
I've got a question about the pouch size at nearly 2 years out.

I'll be 2 years out from a revision from VBG to RNY and stopped losing at about 9 months. I've gone back to basics to lose the last 50 pounds by eating five 3-oz meals a day with very high protein, very low carb foods. I could never get out of the habit of at least sipping while eating. Yes, I was a very bad girl and sipped along. Well it turns out that even though I could hold about 5-6 oz of food while drinking I can barely hold 1 1/2 - 2 oz without drinking anything. This is really a shock to me. Not that I'm complaining, but I though for sure my pouch would have stretched much more than that. I know my VBG pouch was huge this far out (hence the RNY) I'm praying that the basics will do the trick for me. I don't want to sound like I'm fussing, I'm just curious if anyone else this far out has noticed having such limited pouch size. Even when I eat the 1 1/2 oz I stay stuffed for hours. There is no way I can get in five of these little meals a day unless I set an alarm clock to wake me up at 2:00 am to get a meal in. Comments or suggestions anyone?    — Vicki H. (posted on February 12, 2004)

February 12, 2004
I can definately eat more when I drink during a meal. I think the liquid flushes it through the pouch faster and that's why. My surgeon says you don't have to absolutely not drink when you eat....just not too much. I don't normally drink while I am eating at home, but I do sip on water while I am eating out. I try not to stress on all the "rules" like the drinking thing and not drinking 30 minutes before and after, etc. I just want to live normally and my surgeon agrees. I must be doing something right because I am 20 months post op and 10 pounds below goal! Good luck to you!
   — emilyfink

February 13, 2004
It sounds like you have a very small stoma opening and it is taking food, without liquids, a while to go thru, hence you keep that full feeling on much less food than most of us at 2 years post-op. I am at 2 years post-op and definitely eat much more than 2 0z without drinking, though in my opinion not too much. I wonder, though, when do you start drinking after a meal? If you drink an hour after you eat, you should not stay full for hours after that...
   — Cindy R.

February 13, 2004
I am over 2 years out and have lost 140 pounds, gained 16 of it back. I noticed while trying to lose that 16 pounds back, I had always sipped thru meals. I still do a little, I am trying to break the habit. I am trying desperately to get enough calories in a day just to keep me healthy, but I noticed that I can't eat enough at a time to get them in. I would have to be eating all day long. I can barely eat a 2 oz protien bar at one setting. So maybe I am having the same problem. Wish I had some help for you, but I feel like I am in the same boat. rene'
   — colers