Sleeve stretching??

I tried the Vitamin Water thing too but I prefer water. I don't know why. I just feel better all the way around if I am drinking it plain. I wasn't like that a few weeks ago so who knows!!

Thank you :)

It is completely normal to be able to eat and drink more, the further out that you get from surgery. It takes about 6 months for the sleeve to heal and for the swelling to go down. Eventually, you will be able to eat 3-4 ounces of dense protein, which is completely normal. You have not "stretched" your sleeve. You want to be able to eat and drink a bit more, so that you can obtain adequate nutrition and hydration. Nothing is wrong.

Thank you!! That really helps put it into perspective. I think this is where my Dr. and NUT have failed. I think they are great. But they don't get that we need to understand the different changes in our bodies!!

I appreciate that you guys are on here and can help with that!!

There are days that I worry that there is no restriction and I worry that I've "stretched" my sleeve, then the next day I can barely eat an ounce at a time. It's a finicky little thing.

How weird. I wonder if that is how I will be tomorrow? It seems like yesterday and today I have wanted a bite or 2 more. Interesting.

Thank you!!

Many of us wish we had the smaller capacities we had right after surgery.  But you can still eat the same amount, even as your capacity increases.  You don't have to eat until you are full.  This is called "undereating your sleeve."  If you weigh and measure your food, you can limit the amount you eat at any one time without reaching the full capacity of your sleeve. 

Honestly, I've seen a lot of debates about whether you can really "stretch out" a properly constructed sleeve.  BUT, I think all of us have experienced an increase in the amount we *can* eat with time.  It shouldn't be the main guide to how much you eat.  For one thing, eating til you're "full" is different than before - it's uncomfortable as hell!  Second, making decisions based on what's possible isn't a good thing for me.  I *could* eat a dozen Oreo cookies.  It would be a really bad idea.

You sound like you're having a perfectly normal sleeve experience.  Relax and enjoy!!

Thank you!! I hear what you are saying. I definitely make sure I am under-eating my sleeve, but it seems then I am hungrier sooner? So maybe I am not eating enough anymore? I am not sure. I will just take it one meal at a time and see what happens.

I appreciate the input. All of it is such a help to me!!

Oh oh, I see.  Sorry!  If it's hunger that's worrying you, I had a lot of hunger early on.  I was so worried!  I thought, I went through all this to still be hungry all the time?? 

BUT, it got so much better and I don't have problems with hunger now.  I mean, I still get hungry, but it is easily satisfied and I feel full for at least 3 hours.

What changed?  First, I'm convinced I got less hungry (or should I say, I started feeling more satisified) as my tummy healed.  Complete speculation on my part, but it was just too coincidental that it improved with time.  Second, I worked with some vets to learn how to eat in a way that kept me satisfied longer.  I didn't really pass that point until I was cleared for all foods, including raw veggies (I waited 3 or 4 months, my doctor said sooner but I was nervous).

It looks like you are about 6 weeks out, that means you're probably just been cleared for all foods.  The first thing I learned is that soft foods like I was eating in weeks 4 and 5 were USELESS for managing hunger.  For example, I ate a lot of pre-packaged tuna salad, 90 cal/pack when I was on soft foods.  Well, now I know that tuna salad is practically a slider food for me.  I mean, I love it, but it's not something I can make a meal on.  Ditto with deli-sliced meats.  What I ultimately found was the dense chicken breast - either whole or in pre-cooked strips - is the most filling thing I can eat, period.  BUT I wasn't able to tolerate it well until I was about 3 months out.  Once I got to that point, I was golden.  In the meantime, I was also satisfied by other dense meats, like steak, pork, and dense fish (I do eat a lot of fish).

Last thing - I remember that early on, everything changes fast.  Don't get discouraged - I really believe most of us get to a really stable place after we're all healed up.  If you keep treating your sleeve well, you will be rewarded down the road.  Hugs!!

Well that helps a lot. I have been eating tuna salad all week thinking it was a good change up from my chicken but maybe that's my problem? I also have been eating turkey burgers for dinner every night. And that fills me, but I am able to eat more each night, just within a bite or so. Maybe that's what I am noticing? I was going to make egg salad next week, but I am thinking it might be a slider food for me too? I just don't know how to cook fish or how to buy it so I haven't had any yet. I do like the turkey meat, but I know that will get old after a while. I have an egg for breakfast every morning too and even that seems to satisfy but not for as long as it used to. Maybe it's what you are saying, where it will just change here and there. I do feel queasy today, which is weird. Water was scary to get down this morning. I thought that was weird cause I never feel like that. I also have been cleared for anything as of 2 weeks post-op. I started small and easy, but gradually worked my way to everything, nuts, salad, etc. 

I really appreciate you taking the time to help me. It is making more sense now. I haven't even wanted to buy sandwich meat cause something told me that wasn't going to work. I need to start shopping in the fresh meat section only I guess!

Thank you!! Have a great day :)

Wow.. I loved all your replies.. a million thanks!