Anyone think...

Okay, I just want to know what people may think about this. I have not yet thrown up, and I really don't ever have pain in my pouchie (except with pills and supplements). So, as far as I can tell I haven't overfilled her more than just once or twice really soon after surgery. But for some reason I FEAR that I have stretched out my pouch and that the reason I can tolerate things so well, etc. is because I have already ruined everything. I don't really eat a lot, because I am not hungry; but I find that I try even harder NOT to eat -- instead I drink -- so that I don't stretch it more. Does this sound a bit obsessive or maybe normal? Does anyone thing I actually could have stretched it out and not known about it? Any way to know for sure? Emily PS: thanks for all your help with the supplements suggestions. I am going to find other ones to take and vow to do better.

That is one of the most common questions people ask as a PostOp (within the first year)..."Have I stretched my pouch?" Does anyone reading this know that list for WLSers that goes through all the things we think about before and after surgery? I had it bookmarked on my laptop but didn't have it backed up and it crashed. I don't think you have stretched your pouch...that's JMO! Chele

I fear the same thing like every day. I think we do this because we just went through a major procedure and we want to be successful. I can tolerate everything too and I worry the same as you. I think it might be a bit obsessive, but I was obsessive before the surgery about why I couldn't lose this weight - it literally consumed my thoughts. I try not to let this do the same and I just hope that it's okay.

the pouch will naturally stretch as we heal and are able to eat larger amounts of food. My surgeon says that if you are not puking you are not stretching the pouch. HTH

From what I have been told, the pouch doesn't stretch unless missused horribly, like stuffing yourself to the pount of being very sick all the time. As we heal, the swelling goes down and stuff goes in and out faster, no stretching involved, just normal coming about. Not eating is not good. You have to eat to live. Suppliments till not let you do well, you have to have food. If you are hungry, measure the food and eat. If you find you can't do this, then you should ask for help. No sense in trading in one disorder for another. You have to stay healthy. Are you loosing weight? Are you not getting sick when you eat? Are you following your surgeons directions to a T? Then you have not done anything to hurt your surgery. Stop obsessing over it, this is not healthy. It's not easy, but nessessary to be healthy physically and mentally.

I'm so glad you posted--- this is one of my fears, too! I can eat a lot as well and I don't dump on anything so far. I do occasionally throw up if I eat too fast, don't chew adequately or the food is to tough. I tell myself these are the fears of a girl who has been fat her whole life (me) and who doesn't truly believe she could ever really be (dare I type it?!?) thin... I remind myself that I'm eating much less than before and it will take more than a timy tum to undo a lifetime of food "issues". I try to not obsess about this.... I'll be interested to see what everyone else thinks.....! Cathy

Arg Emily, I feel your pain. I have wondered the same things from time to time. I have NEVER had dumping syndrome and I have NEVER thrown up. Sometimes I even look at what I eat and think, "that looks like way too much". My DH is starting to worry that I am becoming obsessive to the point of unhealthy behavior. I am so stringent on myself and what I will allow myself to eat. My doc on the other hand is more laid back. He says as long as it's not fried or full of fat, go ahead and eat it. I CAN'T do that!! He doesn't even want me to count calories, carbs, or fat. I can't do that either. I have gotten to the point that if I have oatmeal for breakfast, I won't eat any more carbs for the rest of the day. I have worried about myself at times too. Right now it's not a problem because I still have 90+ pounds to loose. I fear what I will become when I have nothing left to loose; will I still behave like this? Will I still require the scale to move? Will I still work out 12 hours a week? So, you see, you're not alone in your thoughts. Dawn

Wow Dawn, that was a brilliant deduction of what most of us are really thinking and obssessing about these days, isnt it funny how we go from what am I going to pig out on to what is the best thing to put in my pouch now? I have dumped a few times mainly cause I have bad habit of trying things to fast since I have been able to tolerate 95% of what I eat, including higher amounts of sugars than most, but I know that if I do try something new and it works out that I can eat it I will, so, I have stopped with the experimenting cause I know that I will try it again since it is easy on me, and I have to admit I am really lazy these days with cooking anything. To tell you all the truth I am not good at eating at all, I am not hungry so therefore I dont eat. I know this contributes to all the stalls I have had, but I also know that I will get over them too, I guess I cant complain, I am down 54 pounds and not yet at 3 months. I wouldnt worry anymore about stretching your pouch till you are always or feel pain in it physically. Just my opinion, but I hope it helps someone out here!! Steph