streching my pouch. - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

Blueyz · 07-29-2004, 01:50 PM

Hi everyone,
I am having problems thinking that I am eating too much and stretching out my pouch. I am only 2 weeks out and I noticed when I eat cottage cheese, it is a larger amount than the size of a golfball. When I eat refried beans, I eat more than the size of the golfball. Sometimes I am full with lesser amounts. I am so afraid of eating and stretching my pouch too quickly. I am eating only 3 meals a day because I would rather drink a lot in between meals. I am so thirsty all of the time.

An example of what I ate yesterday.
Breakfast- Protein shake.
Lunch- cottage cheese w/ marinara sauce on it.
Dinner- refried beans w/ cheese on top
3 hours after dinner- 2 small bites of watermelon.

Water, water, water, and diet snapple all day long.

Anyone have any advice for me?
Thanks

Is this enough or too much? I am full and see no need to force eat in between meals.

Christina · 07-29-2004, 01:55 PM

Dale,

No worries dear.. you're not stretching your pouch. As your pouch matures it will naturally stretch more. Your pouch is probably almost healed now so the swelling is down, hence you can eat more. Now if you were eating a whole chicken or something that would be different.. because that is a solid food and with the softer foods, you tend to be able to eat more. You're doing fine. This is a natural fear that EVERYONE has after surgery.. so don't worry your sweet head off over this.. you're doing great!!!

How are you feeling otherwise?

Hope you are doing good.. miss ya girl.. going to the early support group on Tuesday??? If so I will see you there!

Blueyz · 07-29-2004, 03:29 PM

Thanks Christina. I feel better about this whole pouch thing.

I am definately going to the meeting Tuesady. I wouldn't miss it. I am bringing my camera for a big group picture. I didn't mean "big" that way.
I am a photo freak and love taking pictures. I am making a personal scrapbook of my new life after wls and I am including all of my wls buddies.
All of the scrapbbooks in my house are of my children and family and no pictures or pages of me.

See ya then

Christina · 07-29-2004, 03:45 PM

Dale,

How exciting I can't wait to see you again!!! I am bringing my camera too.. I have been having so much fun with taking pictures again.. it's been a while since I've done that.. I have always been the one to take the photos just so I wouldn't have to be in them.. I understand what you mean there girlfriend. I just bought a scrapbook and all the accessories for my weight loss jounal. I hope to have it up to date by the time I go to the meeting I will bring it so the early posties can see it.

Group pictures YAY!!! I don't even mind being in front anymore.. how weird is that?

Stuart · 07-29-2004, 07:10 PM

Dale,
Just to back up what Christina said, you are not in danger of stretching out your pouch. This is a common worry, and I still think about it at almost nine months out. As the area heals, the pouch will become more pliable and the surrounding tissue relaxes allowing us to eat more. Also, remember that you no longer have a pyloric sphincter to hold food in your stomach. This is why softer foods go through more quickly. This is why you can eat a golf ball or larger size portion of cottage cheese but you would not be able to eat the same quantity of a solid protein. Remember, at 2 weeks out your main job is to simply get nutrition into your body. It sounds as if you are doing well...hang in there because you just started the best ride of your life!!

Blueyz · 07-29-2004, 10:43 PM

Thanks Stuart! That makes sense. I am so glad you are all here to answer my questions. It just makes everything so much easier.

BobCo61 · 07-29-2004, 11:24 PM

Dale,
Your feelings are normal. You sound like you are right on track. That feeling of stretching the pouch goes with the healing process.

I can eat quite a bit at 18 months out. But, I can no longer eat and fill a stomach that used to be as large as my head.

Yes, I can eat the same at 118 lb girl... but that is nothing like the 571 lb guy I used to be.

Enjoy the process, eat a lot of protein, and keep going....

BobCo61

stakeda · 07-29-2004, 11:55 PM

Dale,

Thanks for asking this question. I was worried about the same thing, but never posted to ask.

lealphachienne · 07-30-2004, 08:59 AM

In a few weeks, when you transition to solid food, you will know when your pouch has met it's limit. It's quite an uncomfortable feeling and you may spit up some food when you eat too much. Also, you think you are eating too much because for the past 2 weeks, you've been eating close to nothing. The eyes play tricks!