Question:
how do I know if my pouch is stretched out?
— sara G. (posted on April 5, 2004)
April 5, 2004
Hell Sara,
One way to find out if your pouch is streched out is the cottage cheese
test. Measure out some cottage cheese, 1/2 cup to start. Eat that and then
stop when you are full. However much you ate is how big your pouch is.
Wishing you a blessed day,
Loriann
— Loriann J.
April 5, 2004
Are there any medical tests to determine how big your pouch is? Can
something non-invasive determine this? (Like some kind of x-ray?)
— raye
April 6, 2004
Sara: Don't lose any sleep over the pouch stretching issue. Over time it
is normal for our pouches to stretch. Unless you are consistently
overeating to the point of being uncomfortable, the chances of you having
stretched it are pretty minimal. This is from my doctor, who I emailed
this question to a while back. I had seen so many posts from people who
are worried about this issue, and my doctor said not to give it another
thought. Eat the way you're supposed to be eating, and only until you're
satisfied, and you'll have no problems. An enlarged stoma is something
that can happen to post-ops, but is not to be confused with a stretched
pouch. Two different things.
— Carlita
April 6, 2004
I'm just always so curious when I see this question. I've seen people
report that carbonation will stretch it, doctor's say that's bunk. Then
I've even seen people worried that they've stretched their pouch because
they drank their water too fast.....or ate just one bite too many at each
meal. I just can't help but wonder what difference it would make if we
knew that our pouch was stretched out. Common sense (and all my research)
tells me that you'd have to constantly overeat to the point of pain, over a
lengthy period of time for it to be an issue so I'm not sure why everybody
is so worried. But then again, maybe I'm the one who is confused and I
should be worried too!!! I'd say unless you have constantly been
overeating to the point of distress, you don't need to worry about it.
Just follow the rules, keep your portion sizes reasonable, and you'll be
just fine. It will stretch some, that's natural but it would be VERY VERY
difficult, if not impossible, to stretch back to the size of the original
stomach. Doctor says that's why they use the upper part of the stomach
because that is the toughest and least resilient part of the stomach and
will not stretch a great deal.
— SCbabe B.
April 6, 2004
Sara, I say the same thing to everyone so don't be offended..your profile
has nothing in it! When we longer term post-ops try to help we go to the
profiles for background info but when there is none there, it doesn't allow
us to help you...why would you think your pouch is stretched out? Are you
overstuffing, eating way too much at one time? Give us a clue...
— Cindy R.
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