Question:
how do I know if my pouch is stretched out?

   — sara G. (posted on April 5, 2004)

April 5, 2004
Hell Sara, One way to find out if your pouch is streched out is the cottage cheese test. Measure out some cottage cheese, 1/2 cup to start. Eat that and then stop when you are full. However much you ate is how big your pouch is. Wishing you a blessed day, Loriann
   — Loriann J.

April 5, 2004
Are there any medical tests to determine how big your pouch is? Can something non-invasive determine this? (Like some kind of x-ray?)
   — raye

April 6, 2004
Sara: Don't lose any sleep over the pouch stretching issue. Over time it is normal for our pouches to stretch. Unless you are consistently overeating to the point of being uncomfortable, the chances of you having stretched it are pretty minimal. This is from my doctor, who I emailed this question to a while back. I had seen so many posts from people who are worried about this issue, and my doctor said not to give it another thought. Eat the way you're supposed to be eating, and only until you're satisfied, and you'll have no problems. An enlarged stoma is something that can happen to post-ops, but is not to be confused with a stretched pouch. Two different things.
   — Carlita

April 6, 2004
I'm just always so curious when I see this question. I've seen people report that carbonation will stretch it, doctor's say that's bunk. Then I've even seen people worried that they've stretched their pouch because they drank their water too fast.....or ate just one bite too many at each meal. I just can't help but wonder what difference it would make if we knew that our pouch was stretched out. Common sense (and all my research) tells me that you'd have to constantly overeat to the point of pain, over a lengthy period of time for it to be an issue so I'm not sure why everybody is so worried. But then again, maybe I'm the one who is confused and I should be worried too!!! I'd say unless you have constantly been overeating to the point of distress, you don't need to worry about it. Just follow the rules, keep your portion sizes reasonable, and you'll be just fine. It will stretch some, that's natural but it would be VERY VERY difficult, if not impossible, to stretch back to the size of the original stomach. Doctor says that's why they use the upper part of the stomach because that is the toughest and least resilient part of the stomach and will not stretch a great deal.
   —  SCbabe B.

April 6, 2004
Sara, I say the same thing to everyone so don't be offended..your profile has nothing in it! When we longer term post-ops try to help we go to the profiles for background info but when there is none there, it doesn't allow us to help you...why would you think your pouch is stretched out? Are you overstuffing, eating way too much at one time? Give us a clue...
   — Cindy R.