Question:
How big is the transected stomach?

Hi everyone! I had my Open RNY revision Aug 19. This time my surgeon transected my stomach. It's been about six weeks and I have lost 24lbs. I am not complaining about my weight loss, however I am concerned with the amount of food I am able to intake. It feels like I can eat without any restriction. I have heard that pouches that are transected are made a little larger so that they can expand to a healthy size. I called my nutritionist for some support, which was helpful, and she suggested that I see the doctor. I have already made the appointment. My question to my AMOS family is what has been your experience with having a transected pouch. What was and is your food intake? How successful have you been regarding your weight loss? And is there any other helpful tips or information that you can provide me with, so that my third chance at life be more successful than my second?    — Erika B. (posted on September 26, 2002)

September 25, 2002
I was told that my transected pouch was made to the size of the tip of my thumb and could hold one ounce. That, of course, has changed as the pouch expands gradually over time. Week one I could only eat a cracker or two with some peanut butter on it and I was full. Now at 10.5 months out, I can eat around 3-4 ounces of steak with *maybe* enough room for 2-3 bites of salad. I do find that some days I can eat constantly, and other days I don't care to eat at all. There is definitely a pattern with it that correlates to my cycle. Very strange indeed, but I just go with it. It has worked out perfectly for me as I am not even a year out and at goal! Also note that in 'Pouch Rules for Dummies', it states that the pouch size is not the determining factor for weight loss. It certainly is a contributing factor, but overall the weight loss does not depend on that alone. Read the doctors findings in this study, it is quite interesting.
   — Cheri M.

September 25, 2002
You didn't state how much you need to lose and that can affect the rate at which you lose. I weighed 346 pounds when I had Open RNY November 29, 2001. Almost 10 months later I weigh 196. I lost 100 pounds in 5 months, 1 week. Then I lost another 20 in one month. Then the dreaded plateau which lasted almost 2 months and now I'm losing again. My surgeon told us that he makes the pouch between 20 and 30 ml. That is between 4 and 6 teaspoons. So, in the beginning, it is very difficult to eat or drink much quantity at a time. As time progresses, however, the pouch stretches. Mine is now about 4 ounces, which my surgeon says is perfect. The amounts that I eat vary with what I'm eating. Soft, watery foods go through to the intestines much quicker than denser foods like meat. So, I can eat 6 ounces of cottage cheese at a meal but may be able to eat only 2 ounces of chicken or steak. And, I stay fuller much longer with the denser foods. At six weeks post-op, I could eat 1/2 of a small chili from Wendy's. I could probably eat about an ounce of canned salmon or tuna. It's really difficult for me to judge because I don't measure my foods. Your nutritionist is correct in suggesting that you talk with your doctor about this problem (if it is a problem). Only you surgeon knows how big your pouch is and what quantities you should be able to hold at this time. Best of luck to you.
   — Patty_Butler

September 25, 2002
What do you mean by "it feels like I can eat without any restriction?" How much have you been able to eat at only 6 weeks post-op? Shouldn't be too much!! Perhaps if you described a meal to us, we could help better. As for pouch size, I asked this question a while back when I discovered that each surgeon makes the pouch a different size. I have been told from post-ops that they have 1/2 oz, 1 oz, 1.5 oz, 2 oz, 3 oz and 4 oz pouches....mine is 2-3 oz. The bigger your pouch, the more you eat..have you asked your doctor what size he made your pouch? Good luck...your doctor should be able to answer many of your questions, and if you or your surgeon has a support group in your area, use them too.
   — Cindy R.