Question:
How NOT to stretch your pouch?
Hi everyone- I am still pre-op, hoping for WLS in Jan '04 if all goes well. Most of the time I'm pretty excited about it, but with all my diet failures, a little voice inside is nagging me that I'm going to fail at my WLS attempt also :o( I am afraid of stretching my pouch. Not so much in the beginning, but over time. My question is: Long-term post ops, how do you keep from stretching your pouch? Also, if you feel your pouch has been stretched out, how did it happen? I understand it's supposed to stretch somewhat over time, but how much is too much? Thanks a bunch, Mea. — Mea A. (posted on July 30, 2003)
July 30, 2003
Your pouch will get larger over time; it's supposed to. My surgeon says it
is difficult to stretch the pouch out more than it's supposed to on its
own. It is possible, however, if you contantly overstuff it (you would be
so uncomfortable doing this that I can't imagine anyone overstuffing
constantly). I've also heard people say that too much carbonation will
stretch it, but I doubt it--most of the gas will burp out, or go into the
intestine with the soda. Also, your pouch is made from the toughest area
of the stomach, so it is resistant to stretching anyway. Don't worry about
this. You would have to really try to damage your pouch to be successful
at any serious stretching. Lots of us worry if we will fail at this, too.
Most of us don't. Only 25% of WLS surgery patients are unable to keep of
at least 50% of their ecess weight at least five years after surgery while
96% of dieters are unable to keep the weight off after five years (or
less). You're in good company.
— Vespa R.
July 30, 2003
Hi Mea! I don't know too much about the pouch thing, but I do know that in
order to be successful for any WLS, you have to change your eating habits.
If you continue to overeat, or eat things that are bad for you, you can
regain some, if not all the weight back. It is really good that you are
thinking about these things before you get your surgery. Good luck!
Sheryl - Lapband 4/16/03 - down 60 pounds so far!
— Sheryl W.
July 30, 2003
the biggest concern isn't stretching of the pouch. Most people who regain
do so because of either mechanical failure or eating "around"
their pouch, ingesting high-carb foods and sugars too frequently, drinking
with meals (not sips, but drinking) and washing the food thru so they can
eat more, or grazing. If you follow your doctors advice you should do just
fine. Shoot for quality, not quantity and put protein first.
— [Deactivated Member]
July 30, 2003
According to the research I've seen, the final size of your pouch is mainly
due to your physiology (how stretchy your stomach walls are) and the
original size of the pouch. You COULD stretch it by overeating, but most
people don't. One way to keep from overeating is to eat small, frequent
meals. My dr told me (and I agree from my own experience) that if you wait
too long between meals, you will overeat when you DO eat. Hope this helps!
— ctyst
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