pouch and liquids

I will apologize in advance..this is the second time I have posted in a few days about the same thing.  BUT....I just can't help worrying about it.
I had surgery Monday the 26th..I am supossed to drink 4 oz of instant breakfast 6 times a day and 2 oz of liquid between that several times a day. The problem is..I don't have any problems with the amount at all. I can drink my stuff at a very reasonable rate and I don't feel like I'm filling up my pouch at all. I don't feel hungry or full..but I have read that many people have to sip for hours to get their fluids down. Don't get me wrong..I am glad to not have problems...but I am worried that my pouch is huge!!!  I haven't pushed it to see if I can tolerate more liquids at a time..but I have pretty much convinved myself that my doctor is an idiot who left me with a giant pouch.  Please if anyone else has had the same experience with liquids post op...let me know..I need to know that there are other people out there that don't fill up on an ounce of liquid and who have actually lost weight with a gigantic pouch :)  I'm kidding of course...I really hope my pouch isn't huge..I hope there are people out there that have had the same experience.

 Many people have absolutely mo problem drinking normal amounts of water (and other liquids) very early after surgery.  Some surgeons admit to telling people to sip simply because that saves their office from the phone calls from those whose pouches CAN'T handle liquids other than small sips.  They know that the people who can drink fairly normally will realize that on their own.

Liquids don't fill you up because, unless they are somewhat thick (some protein shakes can be pretty thick depending on the powder to liquid ratio), they just run quickly through the pouch and into the intestine rather than sitting in the pouch the way they would with your natural stomach.

There is nothing for you to worry about!

Lora

It is unlikely that your pouch is bigger than average.  Remember, though, that there is nothing to keep fluids in your pouch, so when consuming liquid protein, it is better to take your time with it.  Drinking a lot at a time, or drinking water too close to the time you take your protein, will result in your protein getting washed out of your pouch before your body can really get hold of the protein.

Hattie

 Hattie, the protein is not absorbed in the pouch, it is absorbed in the intestine, so other than feeling "full" there is no reason to take your time with a protein drink.

Lora

Thanks, Lora.  That info helps me, too.

Hattie

Some times I can feel it if I drink a bunch at one time and other times I don't feel it at all, so I think it depends on how swollen you are as well.  I don't feel hungry, but I am starting to eat soft food and can feel if I have eaten too much.  Now too much isn't more than 1/4 cup.  Who would have thought 1/4 cup would be filling, but it is. 
I am sure your pouch is the same size.  I think you will see the difference once you eat soft foods, just good slow.
Melissa

Thanks so much!!  You don't know how much it eases my mind to know other people can drink too!  

 I had trouble with liquids for the first 4 days after surgery but now I am easily able to drink my protein shakes and plenty of water without any difficulty at all. 

I have also tried (in very small amounts) puréed tuna, cottage cheese, soft scrambled egg, laughing cow light cheese wedges, and plain cream of wheat with Splenda. I chew everything to death and haven't had any negative reaction. I tell you this because I think my surgeon is brilliant and don't at all  believe he left me with a giant pouch!!!!

You're fine!!  Sounds like you are one of the lucky ones who isn't struggling to get in every sip :-) Celebrate it!!

Thanks!! I was really starting to get worried!  My surgeon told us that everything went perfectly..I would assume he would have told us if he had to leave a large pouch..but my minds been going a bit crazy today! 

Haha! I had surgery on Tuesday the 27th, and was just wondering the same thing. I have absolutely no trouble at ll with foods or fluids, and had just asked my guy, "I wonder if my Dr really did do anything to my stomach?"
Good to hear that someone else is feeling the same way I do....