Strtching your pouch with liquid?

I am thinking that I have stretched my stomach! Yesterday I ate a whole hot dog with a bun!!! and... some popcorn. I also am able to drink tons of water. I am only three months out! Mind you I am on my period and I always seem to eat more this makes me extremly nervous. I hate to feel like I really messed up or worse that I am almost neurotic after I do mess up. Constantly thinking my chance is gone. Is this normal? Keri

Keri, I don't think you can stretch your pouch in 3 months. I do know that for some of us, this "tool" doesn't restrict food intake as much as it does in others. I'm one of those. I think we just need to keep thinking of it as a "tool" and try to get tuned in and stop eating as soon as we feel we have had enough. This is much easier said than done for me. But, when I do it, I feel successful. I'm 9 months out and always wonder if I will be successful in the long term. I exercise 6 days a week and eat pretty healthy. I think I've just got to stay the course. And work at this. "WLS is not a get out of diet and exercise jail free card!" Good luck Keri, keep posting for support! Lori 384/250.5/168

Keri, It's a normal thing to worry about ... but the pouch is tougher than you think. However, I've been told by my nutr. that drinking while eating can cause your 'stoma' to dilate. Her explanation is that fluid puts pressure on the food mass as it all tries to "move" through the stoma, and eventually the stoma will widen to accomodate. That will, in turn, slow weight loss because food will pass through faster allowing hunger to return more quickly. Having said all that, remember, I'm just quoting one professional ... they all have differing opinions on the matter. Also, I agree with Lori ... everyone seems to be able to eat differing amounts. My original surgeon said he routinely makes a 3-4 oz pouch with a stoma that will subside (once healed) to a dime-sized opening ... while my cousin's surgeon (now my BS) says he makes a 2-3 oz pouch with a straw-sized opening. They're always commenting to me that I'm able to eat more than they are, but my weight loss has been no different in ratio than theirs (they've lost 175lbs and 206 lbs, respectively, since May, 2004 ... and I'm down 175lbs. since March, 2005). I think the key is to just work your meal program the best way you can, and try to put the worry out of your head. Dame Tooter on the main board also made a good point to remember about this very thing saying the texture of the food goes a long way toward the amounts we're able to consume. Soft, mushy type foods pass more quickly allowing larger amounts to be consumed, while denser foods (unprocessed meats, etc.) linger longer in the pouch. All the best to you, Myra G

Hey Keri I hear ya girlfriend!!! I'm always worried about the size of my pouch. I havent tried hot dogs yet........but I am able to eat nearly a whole jr burger from Wendys. But my pouch tells me when enough is enough. We cant beat ourselves up GF....we just have to keep trying! willby

Okay Keri and Willby I'm mad at both of you for being able to tolerate bread! I want some bread so bad but once i eat just a little bit of stuffing and it about killed me the next day i had a horrible tummy ache and i thought was going to exploed i do eat fat free flour tortila (i know its not spelled right) just to get a quick meal or when i feel like bread! I'm suppose to eat 1/4 of a cup and "if i eat anymore then that i will throw up" i has never happen since surgery i can eat around 1/2 cup if i let myself i don't measure my food i eyeball it but the other day i got to thinking i was over eating so i measured my meal the size of it was about what i eat at a normal sitting but the things i eat aren't always what the dr said lol i had to eat two cheese puffs the other day and my dad was making fun saying he was going to call my doctor tattle tall hotline but hey we all of are weaknesses i stay away from anything with sugar i'm scared of the dumping stuff so that is enough to keep me away from sugary things! now if only chips did that to me! i would be set plus another im still not taking a protein supplement because it really does kill my pouch dang it! i get the "runs" if you get my drift or a horriable tummy ache ill try that stuff again SOON But hey keri dont worry about it as longs your not gaining you'll be fine!