pouch streathching

ja9va · June 29, 2007

I am glad I found this thread. It is interesting to read everyones in put, and advice.

I was banded June 7, this year and have not had a fill. I emailed my nurse regarding portions and feeling hungry more after 3 weeks from surgery. She did say it is like not being banded right now, and all about Portion Control and learning. But that is easier said than done, with limited to no restriction and being hungry.

Any hints to curve my hunger? I will add some of this info to my list of questions. I don't have my first fill date, most likely in mid July, 6wks out.

For those reading and not banded yet, remember, the band is a tool, and most of us are happy we are in BANDLAND!!

Dr. B.NOLA · June 30, 2007

You need a fill my freind. you lost fat around the band and the band needs tightening. Being hungry between meals and struggleing not to cheat are key signs for a fill. you only have 1 cc. most need 2 to 2.5cc for bands 9.5 and 10 cm for good restriction. Get a fill. Stretching ocuurs when you dont control the volume of food you eat. Remember 1/2 to 1 cup of food (meat/ veggies/ minimal carbs) will keep you satiated ( not feeling hungry) for several hours if your band if adequately filled Good luck

WASaBubbleButt · June 30, 2007

Oh Lord... the pretend doctor strikes again.

ja9va · June 30, 2007

Thanks DR, but I can't get a fill until mid July!! I wish I could get one today! The doctor's approach is to allow to work on Habits! I thought I would be doing better, but it is a challenge. but I am banded and I am keeping my goals in front of me. there will be ups and downs!

bitteroldhag · July 1, 2007

NaturalBeauty -- Thanks for this info. I will try liquids not only because my pouch may be stretched, but because I PB a lot. Hopefully liquids will help all of these problems. Thanks, again.

Betsyjane · July 1, 2007

I don't agree with the Dr. There is no way to know in advance how much of a fill you will need to hit your sweet spot. People are different. Don't shoot for a particular number. Shoot for getting fills when you need them.

Pouch stretching can happen for a variety of reasons, often including trying to live with too much restriction.....in which case you may eat perfectly, but food doesn't move through quickly enough and it expands the pouch while it is waiting. Dr: Are you band? Are you a lap band Dr? If so, where?

The best you can do is the best you can do. If you could have controlled yourself without restriction you wouldn't have needed to be banded! All you can do now is pretend to live as a bandster with restriction whenever you can, and don't kick yourself about it. If it's possible to push to get a fill earlier, do it! You can try all the usual tricks, and some may help...keep a Water bottle with you all the time, make sure you only have good food in the fridge, start food journal, do your exercise. Think of this more as a time to be practicing parts of your new lifestyle, and not so much as a time for weight loss. Do what oyu can to be patient and know that the wieght comes off with the fills......

WASaBubbleButt · July 1, 2007

I don't agree with the Dr. There is no way to know in advance how much of a fill you will need to hit your sweet spot. People are different. Don't shoot for a particular number. Shoot for getting fills when you need them....
....Dr: Are you band? Are you a lap band Dr? If so, where?....

Look carefully at the "doctor's" posts. It's not a doc. It's probably a receptionist type person that fields phone calls for an actual doctor.

People have faked being docs here before and I remember a 20 year old that attempted to convince us he was a lawyer. When we pointed out his other posts to him where he also claimed to be a patient coordinator, an office adm, and now a lawyer at the ripe old age of 20, he finally left with his tail tucked between his legs.

This one isn't a doc, read his/her posts from the past.

WASaBubbleButt · July 1, 2007

PS... this one doesn't even know the sizes of various bands either. 9.5 band?? Knowing fill amounts before meeting the patient? Yeah, I don't think so.

ja9va · July 2, 2007

WOW, who has the time to do the bs on here! I did not think the person was a doctor, just their sign on, dr?

Betsyjane · July 2, 2007

Doctor Beanola.

WASaBubbleButt · July 2, 2007

Doctor Beanola.

HA!! Too funny!

sara97a · July 2, 2007

you just use measuring cups and a food scale. it is as simple as that.

Betsyjane · July 2, 2007

I missed it...measuring cups and a food scale? If that's to measure your food, it doesn't work that way for me! Some meals I can eat 1/2 cup, some 1.5 cups, some liquids only. Finicky old band. The nice part is that it's so individual that once you and your band get to know each other you learn to get along. What was that stupid movie about the conjoined twins? Sort of like that....

ja9va · July 3, 2007

Appointment today with Nurse Practitioner. She said that I can stretch my pouch prior to a fill, and that it is usually for overeating. So it can happen prior to a fill or if you are filled and eat to much. She said when you start to feel the full feeling, stop.

She said if I hurt my band, slipped, I would REALLY know it, vomiting and being ill.

I am not having my fill until the end of the month, so that was a bummer.

Regarding measuring, she said to use a small plate. put my food on it, eat Protein first and stop when I am full. It is when you get over full, like that Thanksgiving stuffed feeling, is when you can hurt your pouch and get sick!

Hope this all helps. But as you all know all our docs are different !!

tracie_br · July 4, 2007

Everyone has told me that when i fill full stop eating. Problem is I hardley feel full or even hungry for that matter. Hence that has lead to some overeating. I am glad I found this forum, because I was afraid about pouch slipping. Instincts told me to try liquids for a few days and after reading, seems like most of you would agree. I see the doctor next week. Thanks!