So I've been having increased heartburn and all of a sudden had some stomach pain....went to the dr and I stretched my pouch:( so all fluid was removed to start all over again. I've been trying to watch the amount of in take and worried that my pouch hasn't reduced any. Follow up and fill on Tuesday

Will the pouch shrink now that you've had the unfill and had to start over?

I have the same problem, im trying hard to pretend it isnt happening, because Im nit at my lightest right now. But I am going to take he plunge this week, and I will be putting myself on a home delivered diet plan hi week to try to lose wight at the same time.

I don't really get "stretched pouch" could you explain more on this subject?

You can strectch your pouch if you eat too much, similar to stretching your stomach without the band...eating too much/stuffing yourself, how most of us got overweight in the first place.

I had the same problem, the stretched pouch created a bulge which tilted my band, causing acid reflux and some vomiting. They took out all my Fluid as well, this was on May 7th. I felt like I was a bottomless pit the 1st week, then the 2nd week, I would get full quickly (I have a smaller band so I will have a little restriction without any fill at all) but I wouldn't stay full long. Now I'm staying fuller longer (still not long enough), so I think my pouch is going back in place. They will check me again in 2 weeks and if all looks ok, I can start to get fills again. I've already started back making sure I eat slowly and small amounts so I don't stretch again.

My Dr explained that what they used to think was a stretched pouch can often be a problem with the oesophagus. That for some reason it weakens and cannot push the food through the way that it should. It is a complication that seems to occur quite often.

Status update, went to the dr today all is well my pouch is back to what it should be no more heartburn and have started taking my time with eating again which is sometimes hard since I work an the emergency room. I've also went back to counting how many times I chew. Still trying to find a decent protein shake that keeps me feeling full...any suggestions? I'm pretty much starting from thw beginning again and will have my first fill in three weeks.

Great!!! I am even more hopeful that mine will be ok!

I like the Pure Protien shakes in a can. The chocolate, Cookies n creme, and banana are good right out the can. I like to put them in the freezer for a little bit before I drink them. vanilla is blah, but I've tried adding some flavoring, like the little bottles you find in the seasoning section at the grocery store and a little splenda to the vanilla and it makes it better.

I like the lean shake by GNC - I prefer the chocolate. I use the ready made for work - I also work in a ER so I drink it when I'm hungry during the shift and the powder is good and I mix it with different things in the am for a hearty breakfast shake. I have some PB which is a peanut butter powder or sugar free puddings and fruits to mix flavors that I like - its a daily experiment!

Ok I now understand "Stretched Pouch", So with that I want to ask another Question. I currently have 9.2 cc in a 14cc band, every once in a while I get food stuck and it wont go down wont come up so I ahve found that drinking water to push it down work albeit painful. How do others deal with this?

Ok I now understand "Stretched Pouch", So with that I want to ask another Question. I currently have 9.2 cc in a 14cc band, every once in a while I get food stuck and it wont go down wont come up so I ahve found that drinking Water to push it down work albeit painful. How do others deal with this?

The only time I tried to push an obstruction through by force of liquid was not pretty. I am very conscious of bite size and when I do have a stuck episode (or the time I PB'd), it's because I was in too big of a hurry or distracted while eating.

If I have a normal stuck episode, it will pass in a few minutes. Some say they have had episodes that last a good hour or two, but sooner or later the food goes through. Lastly, I did read about someone who had to get an emergency unfill because the stuck had not resolved itself after a long time (8+ hours if I recall right).

Moral of the story: Chew food well every time. If I don't, I get immediate feedback.

I am amazed at how much I do not know. I guess I was not very well informed and/or I did not do my homework and get all of the facts! I did not know you could stretch the pouch. I had surgery th 30th. I find I can eat anything - I probably already stretched mine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am due for a fill the 26th. I am anxious to have that done. I will try to ask more questions so I am better informed. I have learned so much from this website. My Dr. is very casual, laid back kind of guy - hope I made a good choice.

I have not had a lot of pain, did have a hiatal hernia repair. I still have belly button pain - have no idea where my port even is - boy, do I feel dumb. Thanks for all the great info. Dox

Dox - probably not; if you have no fill, it's almost like you don't have a band in there! Don't worry too much. Many of us feel like we can eat anything before our first fill (even after it, sometimes). You will start to feel restriction after your first fill, hopefully!

It took 4 fills for me to have restriction and now after 2 months it very rare that I feel restrictions

It took 4 fills for me to have restriction and now after 2 months it very rare that I feel restrictions

When they took my Fluid out my band I felt like a bottomless pit and could eat anything. When my pouch started to heal and my band settle back in place, I noticed I could not eat as much as fast, so my band itself gives a little restriction, but they told me I had the smallest band they make, so that might be the difference.

I also notice that even when I had a fill, my restriction would vary day to day, even hour to hour! So you probably aren't stretched yet, but be careful...get in the habit of follow the eating rules now!

As far as getting things unstuck, I found if I drank something hot, like tea, it would help to move it through a bit.