ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass and Lap Band® Forum - View Single Post

MiladyB · 01-05-2007, 09:50 AM

I have no idea what my pouch size is either. I know that I tolerate 1 cup of solid food. It's different if it's things like soup, chili, etc. Then its usually about 1 1/2 cups. I'll have to ask my surgeon when I have my appointment next month how big he initially makes it. I know they usually tell us its about the size of your thumb. I would guess that is about 2 oz.

The reason your one friend who had the surgery 6 months ago is able to eat so much is that she has probably stretched out her pouch by eating poorly. Before 5 years ago they made the pouch different. It included more of the left side of your original stomch, which was the wall that had more stretching ability. Since then they have taken more of an up and down cut so that your pouch is made out of the right wall of your original stomach and none of your left side. This helps eliminate some of the stretchability of your new pouch. Now that doesn't mean you can just eat poorly. You can still gain weight by doing the things LisaM mentioned and you still can stretch out the anastomosis, which is the connection between your pouch and your intestines. This will cause you to not feel full anymore because the food basicly goes right from your pouch into your intestines. Also, because your new pouch is made out of muscle, it does grow, which is the reason those of us who are like a year out can eat more.