Pouch Stretching

Missy0224 · September 4, 2007

I have not been diagnosed with dialation yet, but I am not able to see a doctor until the end of the month because my Doctor retired. I got some advice from someone in my support group meeting that if I feel that I've stretched my pouch to go on a liquid and mushie food diet for 2 weeks. I just started today and wanted to know, if I am dialated, and I shrink my pouch to normal size after 2 weeks will my restriction automatically come back? I'm now at 3.75 cc in a 4 cc band and don't feel much restriction and that's one of the main reasons why I feel that I have stretched my pouch. Any suggestions or comments are welcome. Thank you.

Wendell Edwards · September 6, 2007

I have not been diagnosed with dialation yet, but I am not able to see a doctor until the end of the month because my Doctor retired. I got some advice from someone in my support group meeting that if I feel that I've stretched my pouch to go on a liquid and mushie food diet for 2 weeks. I just started today and wanted to know, if I am dialated, and I shrink my pouch to normal size after 2 weeks will my restriction automatically come back? I'm now at 3.75 cc in a 4 cc band and don't feel much restriction and that's one of the main reasons why I feel that I have stretched my pouch. Any suggestions or comments are welcome. Thank you.

This is taken from a post I made a long time ago:

. "Is it possible to stretch out the small stomach, or "Pouch"?" The pouch seldom enlarges, because it is created in an area that is very resistant to enlargement. The esophagus above the pouch will usually stretch before the pouch itself does. That is almost always caused by repeatedly over-eating, AKA "Stuffing the pouch". Not very many people do this, but if they do, it can result in "Esophageal Dilatation" or stretching of the esophagus, which can be a very serious thing. The usual remedy for esophageal dilatation is to completely unfill the band for a period of time, in the hope that the esophagus will shrink back to its original size. In some instances, where the patient refuses to stop "Stuffing the Pouch" band removal is necessary.

Note: I am NOT saying that this is your case.

Most doctors will have you do a barium swallow under fluoroscope to verify pouch or esophageal dilatation. If it is present, a complete unfill followed by a liquid diet for two or more weeks will shrink the enlargement in most cases.

Then you get a refill and that's it.