Pouch Size and Capacity

I guess I am confused. 

My surgeon says that he makes pouches 55 cc for RNY patients.  That converts to almost 2 US fluid ounces, or 1/8 of a cup.  I'm pretty sure I can eat more than that. (not counting sliders)

But solid foods, if I squashed a typical meal of 3 oz fish, and a couple tablespoons of vegetables into a measuring cup, it would be more than 1/8 cup.  I think it's more like 1/2 cup or so, maybe more. 

Am I eating too much solid food at one time?  Or, does the act of chewing change solids into puree --ie. slider foods, and by the time I get to the end of the meal, the first part has already passed through, allowing room for the rest of the meal?

Or, maybe my pouch ended up around 3 ounces instead of two....

And, does any of this make any difference anyway?! I'm losing... but I just don't want to stretch out my pouch. I'm getting some feeling in there now, and can feel when I'm full.  Didn't have that for a while.

Any thoughts?  Thanks...

~Barbara

Barbara your pouch has already started the maturing stage as you eat and fill up the pouch.  It should mature at around 1 year out.  At that time it's pretty standard amongst the community to be able to eat 8 oz meals.

As long as you aren't overeating and feeling miserable (you can definitely feel when too much is eaten) don't stress about the size.  Dr. Davis is a well-skilled surgeon I'm pretty confident he did what he told you he did.

I think we'd need more information. For one thing, how long do you take to eat your meal? If it's over 30 minutes, then yes, some of your food has passed through already. Also, when you say 3oz of fish, are you talking weight or volume? That will make a difference as well. 

Also, it took a while (months) before I ever felt "full." I had to just stop eating so I wouldn't overeat because that sensation was totally gone. Maybe that's an issue for you as well?

This gives me hope!  I hope I get a feeling of fullness back even if it's in a couple of months.  It's so worrying that I don't have one now, 3 weeks post-op.  Thanks for giving me some hope that I will feel full and not have to rely on meticulous weighing on my kitchen scale and self-control.  It would be nice to have mybody tell me I am full :)

Dcgirl - how about hunger - do you get that at all? 

Not really which is why I eat three times a day with no snacks. I get very gurgly lol. And dizzy if I have too few calories. So I eat to sustain and not so much because I'm hungry. Does that make sense?

3 oz weight-- and never more than 30 min.  I try to eat slowly, but can't make it last longer than that. 

I have the exact same problem!  I had surgery on 12/16 and got put to soft solids on 12/31.  I can easily eat 4 oz of lean meat at a meal.  I don't feel full nor do I feel hungry.  And I eat three meals a day of 4 ounces.  I told my doctor I think I was in his placebo group.

Check out my post earlier today called "What's on the menu today, RNY-ers".  I love seeing what other people eat and getting ideas and recipes.  Many people who are months out eat 2 ounce meals.  So I also worry that I am eating too much, though I am at the right amount of protein (70-80g per day) and calories (500-700 per day) and carbs (under 20 per day).  I will be curious what other people chime in :)

I am 20 months out and my pouch is considerably smaller than a "normal" pouch. I can only eat 2 oz before I am stuffed. As in one-more-bite-and-I-will-urp stuffed!!! When they cut my pouch, they found several tumors and had to completely remove the affected area and more intestine than they were initially going to bypass. So instead of having a remnant stomach (and any hope of ever having a reversal if needed) I have none and just have to learn to adapt and succeed with what I have left! This procedure saved my life in more than one way!!! It was a full two months before I got that "full" feeling, so keep up the good work and have faith that your body WILL tell you exactly what it can do!! :)

Poppy

Wow, you are lucky Poppy!