Question:
Am I stretching my pouch?

I'm now 22 days post-op LAP RNY and feel like I might be taking to big of bites. With cottage cheese I cover the spoon and chew chew chew. With eggs I take up half the small fork and chew chew chew. I haven't been moved to eat meat yet, so I couldn't tell you about that. But pasta which I've been okayed for and tolerate well, I take 3-5 noodles about macarroni size and chew chew chew. But when I talked to a WLS friend, she said I was stretching my pouch. I wait 3-5 minutes between bites and haven't had any pain or vommiting at all. Is it possible that I could have stretched out my new tummy? I know everyone said eraser size bites, but these are soft foods could I really have done damage? Thanks for answering.    — Heather B. (posted on October 24, 2002)

October 24, 2002
No, you are not stretching your pouch. Soft foods like you are eating, and chewing so well, turn the food to liquid and liquid passes right thru. Your pouch is made from the tighest part of the stomach. From everything I have researched, it is difficult to stretch your pouch. Those that do stretch their pouches tend to abuse the pouch by deliberately overeating over a long period of time. Your pouch will stretch somewhat naturally over the months and years post-op. It is supposed to.
   — Cindy R.

October 24, 2002
You definitely are not stretching your pouch. It is not that easy to do, to begin with and with soft foods it certainly won't. Foods like you are eating (well chewed) go through almost like liquid. When you graduate to meats, the size is important. Please eat tiny bites and chew til you are tired.
   — Patty_Butler

October 24, 2002
I agree with the previous posters. I would be much more concerned about getting food stuck since you are taking such big bites- especially with the pasta. Have you had anything stuck? It hurts like hell. It has caused me to slack off a little on meats, especially chicken. This early in the game, the liklihood of you stretching your pouch is zilch. I believe if you ate more than your pouch would hold, it would come back up! Good luck to you! Karen (lap RNY- 4 weeks post-op & down 46lbs.)
   — karmiausnic