Stomach Stretching?

Can I stretch out my new pouch? My doctor's said no, they said the opening may become wider allowing one to eat more but the stomach doesn't stretch out. Help? I'm only 3 months out and I can definately eat a cup of food without feeling stuffed. I have only vomited once and have never eaten 'til I'm stuffed. Am I a freak? Have I wrecked the surgery? I've lost 52 pounds.

wendy

Wendy don't worry!   I don't think you could stretch your pouch out in 3 months and 52 lbs lost is Great!    One question I have is are you drinking during you meals?  I've been told you can't have anything to drink 1/2 before. during, or 1/2 after because it will wash down more food and give you more room to fill your pouch up (someone correct me if I explained that wrong).  It also could be possibly the type of food you eat.  If your eating say a salad there is a lot of water in lettuce so once you chew that up there would be more room in your pouch then if you were eating steak (protein).   Maybe you need help to recognize the stuffed feeling vs full feeling.  I struggle with this I think I have to feel stuffed rather than full and over eat. 

Are you following your Surgeon's plan? If so, you're doing great.

Many people have mentioned a sign that your pouch is full such as a burp, a sneeze, nose runs, a hiccup.  I kept looking for the sign and finally got it the other day, actually, I got three...a sneeze, a burp and a runny nose.  Eat slowly, chew your food, and look carefully for the sign.
Also, remember, just because you can eat a cup of food doesn't mean you should.  What does your plan recommend?  When in doubt....follow the plan.

Oh my gosh!! That's why my nose has been running.... that's awesome thanks!

You are doing great.  It takes a while (4 mos for me) to recognize the full feeling.  For me I recognized it too late, and was stuffed later so I learned to stop before I felt full.  Now my nose runs and I get the hiccup burps.  I can easily eat 1 cup of slider foods but only about 2/3 of a cup of dense protein.  You will eventually start feeling the signs and no, you are not a freak.  Follow your doctors plan and you will be just fine.

Bonnie

the full sign that I get (and I have spoken to a few others that get the same thing) is a SIGH.  Sometimes it is really hard to notice that I have even done it so I have to really pay attention, but when I do that small little sigh, that's it!  I'm done.  I was talking to my nurse and she said that if you watch a toddler, when they are full, they will sigh and usually they will begin pushing food away if you are trying to feed them more.  I thought that was very interesting.  I guess it is different for everyone.  If I hiccup or burp, usually that means I have over eaten a little.  I hope you find your signal, it's there.  Oh, by the way, I dont vomit either only if I have steak or something tougher and dont chew enough, so I have only vomitted maybe 5 times in almost 2 yrs.  Good Luck! 

Don't worry Wendy....you are okay. Like everyone has said, watch for the sign....mine is a hiccup. Pay close attention.
My surgeon didn't want me at 1 cup until 1 year out which is right about now. I sometimes can make a cup, sometimes not. It depends on what I am eating.

Hugs, connie d

Hi Wendy, it was fantastic meeting you Saturday !  I'd suggest contacting your WLS clinic and/or nutritionist. You may want to do the www.5dpt.com to get back on track, then go to primarily dense protein for several weeks.  Protein from meat or legume sources rather than protein shakes, meal replacement bars, and sliding foods like cottage cheese, will help you feel satiated.  Wishing you the best of the best and don't be a stranger around here!  Oceans of love  and hugs galore, Patti