Is there a way to see if your stomach has stretched out?

[throwaway557 8]

I want to ask my doctor this. I made the surgery happen and it was a mistake. Im 7/8 months postop and Im gaining weight. I was down to 267 at my lowest and I was 273 at my checkin in December, and 281 now, end of March.

Is there an easy way to see this? COULD my stomach stretch back to its full size?

I don't need a peptalk or anything. I KIND of want to go to a nutritionist and see if they can help me. I dont want to go to my followup appointment in a couple weeks because I swear to god all the doctor will say is "youre gaining weight, this is bad. you shouldnt be gaining weight. gaining weight is bad. your surgery is not a success." - please, I don't need to drive there for you to tell me that.

[lexinicole2010 11]

Yes it can stretch back. If you over eat passed what you should you can stretch it out. I know they told me they wanted me to stretch from 4 to 8oz but that's it.

What portion size can you eat?

[throwaway557 8]

Its not a matter of how much I can eat, its a matter of how much I can eat over a period of time....

I've learned my limits. I've learned how much liquids I can take in at once, food, etc..

[lexinicole2010 11]

Hmmm.

Well you should only be able to eat a certain amount if you haven't stretched past what your dr said.

Are you eating the 6 recommended meals a day and only eating things recommended?

[throwaway557 8]

Lol....far from it. 4-ish meals, nothing set in stone.

I cant judge how large my stomach is, but as far as Im concerned its back to normal size probably.

[lexinicole2010 11]

Well what did you eat before in comparison to now?

For example I could probably eat four big slices of pizza before.

Now my stomach is 4oz and I'm on liquids still. But I'm going to assume if I were to eat pizza were talking maybe a small slice if that.

[throwaway557 8]

I could probably eat 2 medium-large slices of pizza with very little Water.

Before, I could eat...f**k if I know, a LOT more than that.

Edit - I mean really, it depends. It depends on how long of a time frame we are talking about. IF we are talking about 15 minutes time span eating two slices would take me 3 minutes and I could eat more in 15-30min

Edited March 30, 2014 by throwaway557

[lexinicole2010 11]

Yeah I think you def stretched it out some. That's a lot of pizza for having the sleeve.

Idk if u stretched it to full preop size but from what you're saying it's def stretched some

[throwaway557 8]

Is there a way to ask my doctor if he can tell how far its stretched out?

Because like genuinely I dread going to those appointments, not only because it puts me down, but because its a commitment to go to them (i.e., a decent drive there and back)

[NMJG 1,266]

Yes it can stretch. No it can't stretch to its original size.

You can get an endoscopy to check stomach size, but IMHO the problem isn't your stomach, it's your head.

WTH are you doing eating pizza anyway, dude? Once in a while is one thing, most of us fall off the wagon from time to time. But if you are gaining then I am thinking you are eating pizza and the like more than once in a while. I strongly recommend that you see a mental health counselor, not because you are crazy (well, you might be crazy, but that isn't my point . A counselor will help you with the mental issues involved in losing the weight and keeping it off. You can still lose the weight. But you've got to fix the stuff that is keeping you from succeeding first. Even bypass patients with no stomach regain the weight if their head is not in the game. None of the surgeries is a magic solution, they are just tools. We've all been there. Head issues are the hardest. Best of luck to you. Talking to a nutritionist is an excellent place to start

Edited March 30, 2014 by NMJG

[throwaway557 8]

So my head isnt in the game, I get that. But that doesnt make me crazy, that just means that the surgery failed in their sense.

Im seeing a counselor now, and have been. We talk about how my weight sometimes but she is an Eating Disorder therapist and doesnt like talking about numbers, not fixating on them. Which is what you guys do (patients and doctors alike).

An endoscopy sounds like too much, in terms of time commitment and money, I was thinking to see a different way. Otherwise I just wont go to my appointment. Waste of time to hear them telling me I failed

[NMJG 1,266]

I'm really glad to hear you are seeing someone, that is a huge step.

If you want to try something, take a stab at going all liquids for three days. No solid food, just three Protein shakes (or enough to meet your Protein goal). I know it sounds stupid, but it will shrink your tummy back down a lot. I did it because I had other issues going on that required it, and I was shocked how little I could eat after three days of liquids. It was like being newly sleeved. Don't forget your Water, of course, and any other liquids that are calorie free.

Let us know how you do. We are rooting for you.

Edited March 30, 2014 by NMJG

[throwaway557 8]

I genuinely do not think 3 Protein Shakes, 600 calories at max, will satisfy me..

[lexinicole2010 11]

Try this put yourself on a 900 calorie diet. That's 3 shakes and still room for 2-3 Snacks within 300 calories.

don't eat foods high in carbs or fat. That will help.

[NMJG 1,266]

It was only for three days, not forever. But lex has a good idea, try 900.