Question:
Doctor Says Pouch size 30cc, is that normal?

it seems everything I have read with Lap RNY the pouch size is 10cc or 20 cc I am afraid 30cc will not allow me to lose weight Any input from people that have had Lap RNY?    — Jeri P. (posted on April 8, 2002)

April 8, 2002
30cc or 1oz is a very common pouch size. I guess I am not sure why you would think that 1oz is too big for you to lose weight when pre-op stomachs can hold about a quart! You will only be eating 1-3oz of food at a time.. The smaller pouch size isn't necessarily better when you have to struggle to get enough food in to keep yourself healthy. Your Dr. is right!
   — Allie A.

April 8, 2002
My pouch was 30cc (1oz) at the beginning and I think I've faired quite nicely! Good luck
   — Jeannet

April 8, 2002
My pouch is 15cc and I feel like I can eat too much.
   — Candace F.

April 8, 2002
I've been concerned about this too. I've noticed that Dr. Wittgrove, Carnie Wilson's surgeon, makes his pouches 15cc. He's stated that his results (and he's had some of the best stats I've seen) have indicated that a very small pouch is key to long-term success. My surgeon does 35cc pouches, so I want to discuss this in depth with him.
   — Tally

April 8, 2002
My doctor trained under Dr. Wittgrove and I also have a 15cc pouch. It is a struggle in the beginning, I still live on soft foods for the most part 12 weeks out. I had some starvation issues that I am still dealing with. I now eat between 200-300 calories a day, which is up from about 100. He was going to stretch my pouch, but we decided to wait and I am glad we did. The smaller the pouch, the more difficult recovery, but better long term results(so they say). The small pouch wasn't my choice, I didn't know any better. I would probably go with it now, but 3 weeks ago I regretted this decision everyday. I am just now coming to terms with it. I struggle daily, but I think it's worth it. Current weight: 187
   — Karen E.

April 8, 2002
So Karen, for three months, you were pretty miserable with the 15cc pouch? Did your doctor think that your experience was unusual, or do most of his patients have that much trouble? I'm SO glad you're doing better now -- I'm sure that was scary & depressing for you. Congrats on your weight loss, and thanks for the information.
   — Tally

April 9, 2002
I thought some of you might be interested -- I'm still trying to get an authoritative answer on pouch size. Tonight I participated in one of AMOS's online chats with a bariatric surgeon. I asked him the WLS question that has been most on my mind lately -- how big should the RNY pouch be? He said that he makes his pouches 35-40cc and that smaller pouches increase the risk of leaks. He also said the 35-40cc pouch is sufficient for success. Well, okay... but then I went to his web site which describes creating a 15-20cc pouch during the RNY, and it also states that: <blockquote>In some cases, the effectiveness of the procedure may be reduced if the stomach pouch is stretched and/or if it is initially left larger than 15-30cc. </blockquote> Hmmm. This seems like a really important issue (critical to the risk/benefit balance of the surgery), but it's so hard to get a definitive answer. I don't want a 35cc pouch if most of the research (and stats on long-term outcomes) has been done on patients with 15-20cc pouches. I've been searching on PubMed, and most of the abstracts seem to conclude that small pouches (10cc to 20cc) provide the best sustained weight loss.
   — Tally

April 9, 2002
I have a 30cc pouch, am 11 months post op (almost) and have done beautifully. I am 5 pounds below goal and continue to get satisfied when I eat. I get full just when I have had enough, but get enough to keep me healthy and nourished. Personally, I would be worried that if my pouch was smaller I would not be able to eat enough to sustain me, but it is probably different depending on how much you have to lose and what your doctor does. Just make sure that you research enough so that whatever decision you make YOU are comfortble with, don't settle until you are satisfied that it is right for you...best of luck,
   — Vicki K.