How would you know if you stretched your pouch?

[Meduseld 29]

I feel like I ask so many questions, but I think it's better to ask the questions than find out the consequences later!

I was just curious how I would know if I stretched my pouch. I don't think I have, so no worries or anything, but it is my ultimate worst fear with this surgery.

And if a pouch is stretched, can it be shrunk again? I hear the stomach wall is almost "elastic" in that it can shrink if it is stretched out less. Does this concept apply to the pouch?

How hard is it to stretch the pouch? Is it something that can be done easily or does it take some determination? I don't think I really could. If I eat too much, my stomach lets me know pretty darn quick. But unfortunately, the food only stays in the pouch for a few minutes, so you could probably stuff some more in there if you were determined to.

Has this happened to anybody?

Thank you!

[Corrigan 75]

There is a test developed by a doctor that uses cottage cheese and Water, to measure the volume of

your pouch, but the chances of you actually stretching it are very slim. If it's a real concern for you, see your

doctor. Actually the stomach wall is pretty tough and I don't know how you would go about stretching

it. With the band surgery, that is probably the least of your worries. Following you surgical team's

instructions will be your most important job, and it's not as easy as it sounds for most people. You'll

need a lot of will power and sticktoitness. Some folks don't have any problems and let's hope you don't.

[Chasity Henson 4]

In all my hours of research i came across this check it out

http://www.5daypouchtest.com/

[Tim Bellamy 0]

Elizabeth,thats my concern and i'm having more anxiety attacks because of it,i was banded in 3/26/09 starting weight was 340lbs ....went down as far as 281lbs now back up to 295lbs....now i can seem to lose anything at all i have 8 1/2 cc's of Fluid in my band and it only holds 11cc's....i'm affraid its stretch to much and if i ruined it.....i did lots of cardio and weight lifting but it keeps climbing.

[Cocoabean 430]

An upper GI and esophogram will show any problems, and it is an easy test. I have one once a year. What is more likely is that you can dilate your esophagus.

http://www.lapbandguide.com/lap-band-vs-gastric-bypass.html has an article about pouch stretching. It is more of a bypass issue than a band issue, due to band placement.

[B-52 7,113]

An upper GI and esophogram will show any problems, and it is an easy test. I have one once a year. What is more likely is that you can dilate your esophagus.

http://www.lapbandguide.com/lap-band-vs-gastric-bypass.html has an article about pouch stretching. It is more of a bypass issue than a band issue, due to band placement.

Agree.

Without adequate restriction, food will pass to the stomach easily. So in order to stretch your pouch, you would need adequate band restriction in order for food to accumulate.

I have a tight band. Prefer it that way. I can tell you if I try to eat more than I should, it really hurts! I can't overeat. Impossible, unless I'm really stupid and endure all kinds of pain in the process.

I know stretching your pouch is possible. My Dr. Has a poster on the wall depicting what it looks like. But speaking for myself, I find it hard to do without knowing I'm doing something very wrong!

[Cocoabean 430]

As far as treatment, if you have a slip (where the stomach comes up through the band--causing a larger pouch area) or dilation, the normal treatment would be to unfill the band and go on liquids for a time to see if the stomach corrects itself.

Here is a link to the complications page on my surgeon's web site: http://www.thinnerti.../all-pages.html

It is not meant to scare. Just to inform. Questions are best asked before an event, so keep them coming!

[pen527 6]

Don't overeat! Not only can you stretch your pouch, but, as Denise said, you can dilate your esophagus. I just found out on Friday that I have a dilated esophagus.

I am on liquids only for a month, then 3 oz meals for 3 months. After that, my dr will do another upper GI and he may have to remove the band if my esophagus hasn't healed.

I'm freaking out and following his instructions to a T. Please make sure that you follow dr's orders and do not eat anymore than he suggests.

[suemile 3]

How can you dilate your esophagus? What does that feel like? Sorry you have to go back on solids for so long.. How long have you been banded? Hope all goes well with you.

Sue

[suemile 3]

I worry about stretching my pouch too.. I worry because I'm still not sure what it feels like to be full. I had my surgery 5 weeks ago and just started softer foods. I eat the amount of food the doctor tells me to, but I don't really feel full. I worry that when I start eating solid foods, I will stretch the pouch and gain weight back. I'm probably being a little silly and paranoid, but I just don't want to gain weight. Anybody else feel like this?

[pen527 6]

You can dilate your esophagus by over-eating or by drinking while eating. Basically, you fill your pouch and the rest of the food can't go down so it sits in your esophagus.

It feels like there is a baseball in your throat when this happens. I used to throw up all the time, but now my thrower-upper doesn't work anymore, I just get the slimey foamy stuff. It's hard for me to swallow anything, even Water, now.

The bottom line- follow your doctor's instructions. There is no way to beat the band, it'll only create problems for you later. I know it's hard sometimes to follow the plan, we're all human. But if I've learned anything, it's that you gotta follow the rules.

Good luck. Stay on the plan, and you won't regret your decision at all!

[Cocoabean 430]

For me, I stop eating at the whisper of satiety, not when I get full. Full is painful. Satiated is comfortable. It is a good habit to foster early in your banded life.

[wuan2000 0]

I've been banded for 4 years next month. I have a 10cc band. I lost all my weight in the 1st year and kept it off until recently. I started at 256lbs and made it down to 152 and fit comfortably in a size 6/8 for the past three years at 4.2 cc's. I slowly started having band issues over the past year. Pb's, acid reflux at night, and about a 10 lb weight gain over time. I had my doctor do a slight unfill (.25cc's). This helped my reflux for a short time, but it came back. I tried not eating after 6pm, propping up on pillows to sleep, but no matter how small the meal, my pouch was stretched and it would just sit in there and come back up when I laid down at night. My pouch had stretched over time and I didn't even know it. I didn't stuff food down my throat and sit there in agony until my pouch stretched day after day. It wasn't like that at all! Like other bandsters, sometimes I eat and am comfortable, other times not. My doctor said this is something fairly common when you've been banded for a while and that every now and then I would need a "reset". An unfill for 4-6 weeks, then slowly filling again. I had a complete unfill 2 months ago, then a 2cc fill about 3 weeks ago. I'm going in for another fill next week. In this time I've gained 13lbs. It's been hard for this "foodie" to not have restriction during the holidays. I have the lap band for a very good reason. I'm looking forward to getting back to where I feel restriction again so I can drop this weight I've gained. My doctor recommended doing this once a year to keep things in check. Hopefully this helps your curiosity about pouch stretching.

[2bSMALLER 28]

I just asked my surgeon this question the other day . I wasnt really told how "I" would know. but I was told he could tell real fast if your over eating .(of course with xray) Then he puts you back on liquids and or soft .. blah blah blah ..