New here and I have a question...

[Guest guest]

Hi & welcome!

Our pouches cannot stretch back to the size they were before. I'm

over 4 years out now, and I could eat all day long, just little bits

each time, if I chose to. But, eating the same amount as before at

one sitting? Physically impossible for me. I really think that it's

what you eat that's the determining factor, moreso than how much you

eat. If these people are really eating the same amounts as before,

they should first be checked for mechanical failure (staple line

disruption, stretched stoma, fistula). Too many people consider

themselves a failure without considering that it may be the surgery

that failed...or the surgeon makes them think it's their fault. But,

of course, if they're drinking milk shakes, living on McD's, etc.,

well that's a whole 'nother story.

in NJ

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>

>

> Now...on to my question....I'm on the email list for people who are

3 years post op or more. There's been some discussion recently there

about how they can all eat just about as much as they could before

surgery. Now THAT is scary! Is this what we have to look forward

to? I know it's a reality that we can stretch our pouch but it was

my understanding that we can't really stretch it ALL THE WAY back to

what is was. How is it possible they are eating as much now as they

did pre-op? Or should I assume they mean they're eating all day

long? Is anyone here on that list or having that problem?

>

> Thanks in advance!

> Tiblier

> Mobile, AL

> 294/174/154

>

[Guest guest]

> How is it possible they are eating as much now as they did pre-op? Or

should I assume they mean they're eating all day long? Is anyone here on

that list or having that problem?

I'll be 4 years out the end of the month. I can eat nearly as much as I

could pre-op, if I choose to, but not in the same way I could before. What I

WAS doing (and am no longer doing) was drinking with my meals, and making a

meal last over an hour. At one point I could eat an entire foot-long Subway

sandwich. Or a whopper and fries, large. That's a huge meal.

I cut back the eating by going with only protein shakes for 3 days. When I

added food, my pouch was still restrictive -- not like immediately post-op,

but the most I can eat in one sitting is probably a cup of food. (I had a 2

ounce pouch immediately post-op, some doctors make them much smaller).

Yes, I had a re-gain, of around 60 pounds. I struggle to get it off, and

it's much the same " diet mentality " as it was pre-op, though I try hard not

to let it be.

If you are eating small amounts, and not grazing, not snacking, and not

drinking liquids with meals, that's very good -- keep doing that, don't do

what I did.

~~ Lyn G