How do you know if your pouch stretched?

I can really eat alot at one sitting although I don't eat alot through out the day. This brings up the question, "How do you know if your pouch stretched? "

I would like to know the answer to this as well. Sometimes I feel like I eat the right amount, but then sometimes it seems like I can eat a lot more! And just how easy is it to stretch the pouch? If soda carbonation can do it, which is the reason my doc gave for not drinking soda, it seems like it would be pretty easy to do...

This is such an intresting good question that I am gonna take it to the main message board. Lets see what the pros have 2 say! Kim

Everybody should check out the main message board to read the replys to this question. They are great and have a lot of information for us! Have a great day! Kim

Well everyone is different in pouch size as well. The standard is 15cc but some are 30 cc so ask your surgeon first about the pouch size. I have a 15cc pouch and I can eat about 1/2 cup of food. 3/4 if it is soup. But that is satisfied not stuffed. Somethings that are really dense the volume I can eat is far less. but measure out the food you eat. If I am just eating some meat I am able to eat 3ozs of chicken. My surgeon said that amount is great for the size of my pouch. Also if we stretch it a few times it will go back to normal it is with stretching it out everytime we eat that it gets stretched out permanently. Also make sure of the water rules for eating as well this will make sure the food isnt forced against the stoma and making it stretch. The biggest problem we face is stretching the stoma not our pouches. But I measure everything and will follow the rule of nothign larger than 3/4 cup for life. I dont care about the full feelign anymore, and when I eat the measured portions I am not stuffed but I am not hungry anymore either. Amy 304/254/185 ( lost 50lbs Yeah)