Question:
Can a person stretch their new stomach out by eating too much?

It's been a year now and the weight has slowed down. How do I get it going again? I need help.I'm scared that I will gain some of my hard earned weight loss. I'm really scared, what do I eat? What should I do? Please help!    — Bonnie D. (posted on February 6, 2002)

February 6, 2002
I'm not saying it would be impossible to "stretch your pouch," but I think it would be a lot harder than some on this site make it out to be. Your stomach will naturally stretch out from about 2 oz. to 8 oz. over the course of a year or so. That's why this surgery is only a tool and not a cure. It will take good eating habits, etc. for you to get the last bit of weight off and keep it off.
   — Terissa R.

February 6, 2002
Yes you can stretch your pouch. I try to always think of a balloon... If you keep filling and filling it, its stretches out. Now normally the pouch is supposed to stretch to 8 ounces. Does this mean that you will get full everytime you eat 8 ounces? In my case, heck no! The "soupier" the consistency, the more of something I can eat. Also, I noticed that after the holidays, I returned to some poor eating habits like a bagel everyday for breakfast. A whole wheat one though. There is nothing inherently "bad" with a bagel; but everything in moderation. Now, at one year, it is very possible for you to stop losing and actually regain. You must continue to work with your pouch, choose healthy foods to eat, remain focused on protein rather than carbs and stop eating when you are full. I noticed at around 14 months post op that I could easily gain weight (I did gain four pounds as a matter of fact). I then adjusted my eating habits.. Nothing fried, limited carbs, only occassion "treats" like a cookie, nothing two days in a row, (for instance, I'll only eat a bagel two days a week). Variety is extremely healthy in your diet. It ensures that you are getting in important vitamins. It also alleviates the boredom you get with eating the same foods all the time. Low and behold, I lost the four pounds! I am now as about as normal as I'll ever be. If I make poor choices and stuff myself, I gain. If I am militant and watch everything that passes my lips, I lose. That's what "normal" people do!
   — Jeannet