Question:
What is the difference in the sizes of our stomachs before and after?

I have noticed at first I could only eat a small amount, and now I can eat a little more. I was wondering, before surgery what is the average size of our stomachs and the size of them after surgery?    — TONYA B. (posted on January 20, 2002)

January 20, 2002
Each surgeon is different. My pouch after surgery is 12 cc in size (equivalent to 1/2 oz). As for what is the size of our stomachs before surgery, each person is different pending also upon what your body structure is. As for being able to eat a little more following surgery, it's because our pouches will stretch after time. If you allow your pouch to stretch at the beginning (roughly within 12-18 months following surgery), you may not be able to reach goal weight. What you do with your pouch now, determines what size your pouch will be once you reach goal. That's the reason my surgeon recommends eating only 1 oz of food 4-5 times daily until goal weight has been achieved.
   — trtorrey

January 20, 2002
I have heard that it has changed from cantelope to grape. My surgeon says the size of my pinkie finger.
   — Cheri M.

January 20, 2002
Hi. From what I have read during my research, here is my response: Right now, pre-op, our stomachs can hold up to 1 Quart of chewed food (4 Cups). Immediately after surgery, it will be able to hold about 1 Tablespoon of food. After 12-18 months, we will max out to about 1 cup of chewed food. The most important thing you can do though, from what I've read, is to follow your surgeons eating instructions in the beginning to ensure proper healing of your stomach. Don't rush back to solid foods too quickly. That's what got us all here in the first place. LOL Good luck!
   — ALLYSON D.

January 20, 2002
My surgeon made mine 30cc, the size of a medicine cup. Also heard it like this, your stomach was the size of a fist, now is the size of a thumb. My friend's surgeon in Mobile, AL, told her that he makes the pouch 2 oz, but had patients stretch it out to hold 20 ounces of food, yes, I said TWENTY! That had to be painful. McDonald's intented for the "Happy Meal" to be the size meal the average American should be satisfied with, but what is "average" these days. After surgery that happy meal should be too much for us, not to mention the grease is unhealthy. This surgery isn't performed on our minds so that is what we need to grasp on our own, which seems to me the hardest part. Congratulations on your Loss!
   — Angela S.