Question:
I'm gaining weight and I believe that I've stretched my pouch.

I'm almost 3 years post-op from an open RNY. I had severe complications and was hospitalized for over 4 months. I started out at 315 to 320 pounds and lost down to 205. I'm now gaining weight. I have disability problems and I'm confined to my home. This has been a physical and emotional struggle for me. I'm desperate to lose all the weight that I thought would I would. I fear that I've stretched the pouch because I can hold quite a bit of food, not like before, but more than I should. I also have never had experienced the "dumping syndrome." Therefore, I can tolerate sugar...Ugh!!! Please advise! Thanks so much!    — Paisley P. (posted on January 14, 2005)

January 14, 2005
I'm sorry to hear of your struggle. I also eat a lot more than early on. I am just a few weeks short of 2 yrs PO. That is not uncommon, but I also suspect that my pouch may be larger than ideal but the bigger problem is that my stoma is probably stretched some because there is no question the food moves through faster. I know that happens over time - our stomas become much more efficient, but it is concerning. However, I have taken the approach that whatever the situation I have created it by not 100% following the rules. I do sometimes drink when I eat and that's probably the worst one. Usually I take small sips but it just helps things to move through quicker. While I can dump it's rare and I can tolerate a lot of sugar at once. Again my fault for getting to that point. I've stayed within a 10 lb range but it's a struggle now to get that 10 lbs off. It's not like the old day where I just push the protein and water and boom 5 lbs is gone quickly. Now I'll be down 1-3 lbs and then back up. My goal weight was is 200 lbs and right now I teeter right around there plus or minus 2 lbs. I want to at least get back into the mid 190's and preferably low 190's but am finding it hard. <p>I'm guessing that since you are disabled and confined to your home that your execise is very limited. That alone will make it difficult to lose more and to maintain. It really puts the burden on your to eat perfectly which very few of us PO's can do. Are there some sort of exercises you can do? There are ones done when sitting down and laying down. Using some resistance bands or tubes will help. If you can find any way to build some lean muscle it will go a long way to helping you. Try doing a search on exercises for the disabled or immobile. Good Luck!
   — zoedogcbr

January 14, 2005
Thank you Chris for your kind response. It did give me a little boost of encouragement. There are some things that I can do to get back on track, per your advice. Once we've stretch the stoma, is it possible to get it back to the smaller size? Because of the 4 months of hospitalization post-op, I never had any follow up or support group to turn to for advice. I'm just now emotionally and mentally surfacing the current issues/problems. Again, thank you. Paisley
   — Paisley P.

January 15, 2005
Hi, I'm disabled, too. I had my open RNY on 11/12/03. I have lost 106 lbs., and have stayed there since June (my 8th month post-op.) I went from 309 to 203 and pretty much am within 3 pounde + or - since. My doctor says that my body fat % has gone down - BUT my muscle % has gone up--hence the weight situation. Since muscle weighs more than fat, you can seem to be gaining or not changing weight, and it may be your body changing. It is confusing, but I do know that I am going down in clothing sizes. Check this out with your nutritionist ( or whoever checks your fat/muscle ratio). I have two tapes that you might consider ordering for yourself. Both tapes are by Richard Simmons. One is SIT TIGHT (GoodTimes International-- www.goodtimes.com). The other is REACH FOR FITNESS (Karl-Lorimar Home Video, Inc., 17942 Cowan, Irvine, CA 92714) Both are developed for disabled people. They are routines you can do in a sitting position. I like them both. The first tape is from 2001 (SIT TIGHT) , and the second one may be harder to find (1986), but worth the search. Best wishes. Barbara
   — StarWish624