Question:
TESTING THE POUCH BOUNDARIES

Hi, this is a question I thought about after reading several posts in the Library. Is it common for post ops to want to test the limits of their pouch? Or is that just a strange curiosity you don't really want to find out? Has anyone eaten more than they know they should, just to see how much their new stomach really can hold? I know it would seem odd to do this, but I was just wondering if the urge to know is there?!    — Katie E. (posted on August 6, 2002)

August 6, 2002
I'm 4 weeks post op and tryed the stretch thing...and man oh man...it hurt.....you feel like you will split open...if you eat too much it hurts...no doubt about it.
   — Judy W.

August 6, 2002
There are 2 types of post-op...."Testers" and "Worriers". I fall into the Worrier group and I'm actually happy about it. I have never eaten past the point where my pouch had already told me that I am full, I don't eat sugar, pasta, rice or bread and I analyze the way I chew to make sure that it will go down ok. I think I am like this by nature, but I also had many issues with strictures (4 of them!) in the beginning, so I think I get a little nervous about what I eat and how I eat it. Do I feel deprived? No Way! Do I feel like I am still on a Diet...well, maybe sometimes, but is that such a bad thing as long as I don't feel deprived..I don't think so. For the first time I feel like I am in control of what I am eating and I'm concerned that if I find out that I can tolerate sugar, pasta, rice and bread that I will go back to my old way...that's a chance that I am just not willing to take. My honeymoon period is right around the corner and I am taking this opportunity to do the best I can for my body. I doubt that I will always have this much will power, but it's nice to know that it's something that I am capable of achieving. Just today, I have had 4 people tell me that I look "Great"...for me, that feels so much better than pasta has ever tasted! Best of luck!
   — pam29922