Question:
Does the stapling have to be so dramatic? Can the pouch be left larger?

I have read where so many people throw up after surgery because the stomach pouch that is left can only hold like a tablespoon of food at a time. Could it not be left larger & spare the person so much physical endurance. I know that it will expand again but goodness maybe the Drs need to think of the patients comfort to.    — [Anonymous] (posted on April 29, 1999)

April 29, 1999
I wish my pouch was smaller than it is. People who throw up often are eating too much too fast. The small stomach is the best "tool" about the surgery. And it is a tool not a cure. The stomach holding one tablespoon only happens right after surgery. Then you gradually can eat more. I am one year post op and my stomach can hole up to 6 oz. at times. Believe me it is not too small.
   — JAN C.

April 29, 1999
Following your surgery you will re-learn how to eat. How to chew your food. How not to rush through a meal, and how much to eat at a time. You have to learn once again to listen to your stomach to let you know when you are full. I trusted my surgeon to know how large to leave my stomach pouch and he did a great job. At first, you do eat only small small quantities but that does increasee over time. I, personally, hope my stomach NEVER increases in size. If I thought it was going to, I would be at the hospital waiting for my second surgery to correct that. I want to be sure I am never big again. I love my new body!
   — Peggy W.

April 29, 1999
I hate to discougage you, but I had to have the stomach stapling done 3 times because I would lose a little weight and then gain it right back. The last time the doctor did a stomach bypass. It cause a hole in my stomach and I was rushed to UCLA Hospital and it took them 12 hours to remove my stomach. I still throw up and have diarreia a lot, I am just as heavy as when I had the first stomach stapling back in 1988. To answer your question if you keep throwing up you will streach the pouch back to it's normal size and you will gain all your weight back within 2 years. If you would like to reply please do so.
   — debbie S.

April 29, 1999
My pouch is about the size of my index finger. But it holds about 4 oz. of food (or 1/2 cup). I have never vomited from eating too much. I know that they used to do procedures where a person could only eat like an ounce back in the 70's and early 80's, but don't think they still do.
   — PollyAnna F.

April 30, 1999
needless to say,,,March 23 I had surgery I am guesing may pouch was left larger I have not vomit at all I need one cup at a time I wonder if this way is better I had RNY,Maybe is type of surgery you have.... I wish you good luck.
   — MARIE T.

April 30, 1999
I started with a 1 oz pouch. I'm a bypass, so keep my weight off by the malabsorption. HOwever, I live in fear of gaining it back, of course. If I had to be revised for any reason, say a car accident messed me up, I'd ask 'em to put my pouch back DOWN to 1 oz again. I rarely vomit and then it'd be because of a tough piece of meat, most likely. Once you've had one of these surgeries, you learn to chew. Some procedures are betetr than others, of course, allowing a bit bigger pouch. But the surgeons don't give us a tiny pouch for THEM, it's for our good.
   — vitalady

April 30, 1999
From what I have read, Gastric Bypass surgery provides patients with a larger pouch (if is also considered on of the most effective and safe methods). Biliopancreatic Diversion is now done by making a larger gastric pouch than before reducing some of the previous complications.
   — [Anonymous]

May 12, 1999
It is made so small because in the end it will stretch. If it is left larger and then does the normal stretching it would be to large to allow you to maintain your wieght loss. I do not vomit from it being to small. I am 9 months post-op and I vomit maybe 1 every 2-3 months and then it is from eating in a hurry or something like that.
   — Donna D.