Possible to stretch new pouch without a fill?

[Sophie139 38]

Hi!! I just started on the mushies phase, and I'm eating about 1/3- 1/2 cup of food per meal. I am super paranoid about stretching out my pouch. 17 days post op. Is it possible to stretch out your pouch during this phase? I feel restriction, I stay full for about 4-5 hours depending on what I eat. I start to feel pressure in my chest, no regurgitation or vomiting. I still have slight gas pain, and when I get the pressure in my chest it seems to agitate my gas pain in my left shoulder. Am I eating too much?? I'm just having a really hard time telling when I'm full, or when to stop eating. Please help!

[tomi71 581]

My understanding is this: over time your pouch will stretch. However, it won't go back to pre-surgery size.

You are going to hopefully get into the habit of eating nutrient-dense foods and worry less about portions, albeit portion size is important.

I am 4 months out and I can do about 1/2 cup-3/4 of solid food. If I eat a meat Protein of about 3oz, I don't have room for much else. A 5.3 oz container of greek yogurt is verrrry filling. I have found that I can drink more fluids in one sitting but since I drink either Water, water with crystal light, coffee, sugar-free cocoa (now that its cold where I am) or a Protein Shake, I don't worry about ounces in this case. I don't gulp because that hurts but I can sip it down quicker than I could when I was ate your stage.

Be sure to stick to the food plan developed by your NUT and move everyday. You'll be ok. As long as you are putting healthy food in and are stopping when you feel satisfied, you'll be ok.

[Sophie139 38]

Thanks for your reply..I try to get exercise in whenever I can. I have also noticed I can drink Water quicker than I used to. I've been focusing on eating Protein rich foods, such as cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, Beans, puréed cod with ricotta cheese...etc. I just don't want to make mistakes that will jeopardize my weight loss... :/

[tomi71 581]

It sounds like you are doing fine! I had/have those same fears too. Just keep chipping away. You will do fine. I made it onderland last week and I never thought I'd see those numbers ever again...its been 21+ years. It takes time but slow and steady wins the race.

Only downside do far is that I am constantly cold. I never realized how much fat insulates a body! LOL

Keep eating the right things and you'll be ok. Best wishes!

[Sophie139 38]

It sounds like you are doing fine! I had/have those same fears too. Just keep chipping away. You will do fine. I made it onderland last week and I never thought I'd see those numbers ever again...its been 21+ years. It takes time but slow and steady wins the race.

Only downside do far is that I am constantly cold. I never realized how much fat insulates a body! LOL

Keep eating the right things and you'll be ok. Best wishes!

Congrats on making it to onderland!! Woot woot!!!

I'm constantly cold now, I think my fat is broken :/ lol

[tomi71 581]

Lol! Thank you.

It used to be my husband complaining about being cold. Now its me. Everyone looks at me like I am crazy but I swear my teeth are rattling around because I am always shivering.

[B-52 7,113]

My understanding is this: over time your pouch will stretch. However, it won't go back to pre-surgery size.

You are going to hopefully get into the habit of eating nutrient-dense foods and worry less about portions, albeit portion size is important.

I am 4 months out and I can do about 1/2 cup-3/4 of solid food. If I eat a meat Protein of about 3oz, I don't have room for much else. A 5.3 oz container of greek yogurt is verrrry filling. I have found that I can drink more fluids in one sitting but since I drink either Water, Water with crystal light, coffee, sugar-free cocoa (now that its cold where I am) or a Protein shake, I don't worry about ounces in this case. I don't gulp because that hurts but I can sip it down quicker than I could when I was ate your stage.

Be sure to stick to the food plan developed by your NUT and move everyday. You'll be ok. As long as you are putting healthy food in and are stopping when you feel satisfied, you'll be ok.

Why won't it????

First thing a Dr. does is either give a person a complete un-fill, or instruct them to go all liquids for a few days...either way it is giving it a rest and a time to return to normal.

For maintenance, I do a few days of liquids every 6 weeks or so, just for that reason...(some call it the 5 day pouch test)......I can pretty much tell when it is stretched, by the size of my portions and ease of eating more than usual....and after giving it a rest I can tell it is back to normal for that same reason....portions back to normal, inability to over-eat.

As far as stretching without a fill, my entire stomach was stretched from all the overeating I did before surgery......"Beer Belly"

Looked like I was carrying quintuplets....

But now, by eating much less, it has returned to normal and is rock hard with no fat.....

The stomach is designed to stretch and contract, and the pouch is still the stomach.

[tomi71 581]

Why won't it????

First thing a Dr. does is either give a person a complete un-fill, or instruct them to go all liquids for a few days...either way it is giving it a rest and a time to return to normal.

For maintenance, I do a few days of liquids every 6 weeks or so, just for that reason...(some call it the 5 day pouch test)......I can pretty much tell when it is stretched, by the size of my portions and ease of eating more than usual....and after giving it a rest I can tell it is back to normal for that same reason....portions back to normal, inability to over-eat.

As far as stretching without a fill, my entire stomach was stretched from all the overeating I did before surgery......"Beer Belly"

Looked like I was carrying quintuplets....

But now, by eating much less, it has returned to normal and is rock hard with no fat.....

The stomach is designed to stretch and contract, and the pouch is still the stomach.

It will stretch......but not back to pre-surgery size, as was explained to me by my doc and a friend who is a forensic pathologist, lest you work very hard to sabotage and are willing to possibly damage your stomach big time. At any rate, what you put in your tummy is very important and sounds like you have it down! Congratulations! Isn't life a bit sweeter knowing you have control over this issue? Best of luck to all! Good health to all!