Question:
This seems like a silly question, but I don't see my doctor until Monday....

and am curious to know that answer now. I was under the impression that the opening to our pouches is a dime size. Therefore, we should eat very small amounts per swallowing and only sip drinks to avoid it not getting through the opening. However, I was told by someone else that the opening to our pouch is the same as it always has been (before surgery) and that they opening from the pouch to the intestines is a dime sized. Anyone know which is correct?    — Kim L. (posted on April 19, 2003)

April 19, 2003
Yes & no. The opening TO the pouch (esophagus) has not been touched in a routine surgery. Of course, you might have had a different issue personally, but you'd prolly know it. It's the opening OUT of the pouch that is about dime-size at rest. It does move, though, Make fish-lips in a mirror, pretend like you're showing your kids how fish "kiss" and you sorta get the idea of how the stoma functions: peristalsis. Some are dimes, some are nickels, some are pennies. What you don't want there is a pencil point or a quarter size. At first, everything is done ginerly, but after some time, you can eat or drink (note I didn't say eat AND drink) at a reasonably normal pace, but slow, tasting, savoring each bite.
   — vitalady

April 19, 2003
Thank you Michelle. Just so I'm clear, I can take normal drinks of water? Do you know what I mean?
   — Kim L.

April 19, 2003
Early on, you'll probably only be able to sip water, or other liquids. However as time goes on you'll be able to take a more 'normal' drink. I'm nearly a year out and I can now drink pretty much like I could pre-op, although I can't chug down a large glass of water like I could, unless it's been a while since I've eaten/
   — garw

April 19, 2003
The opening into the pouch is the same that it has always been but shortly after surgery it is very swollen. That is why you have to sip slowly at first. The dime sized opening is from the pouch into the intestines - the stoma. That is why you have to chew your food very well, so it can go through that small opening into the intestines.
   — Patty_Butler

April 20, 2003
My surgeon told me that the opening to my stomach from my esophagus is only about the size of a pen. That is why things get stuck if not chewed well enough.
   — Cami K.