Hi,

I have seen several references to "pouch stretching". Because I have not had success with the band, I am very curious as to what this is, how it happens, how can you tell if you have it, and what can be done? Why would food not come UP rather than one's pouch stretch? Thanks for any info.

Sultana

I too have ordered the book.

About pouch stretching: The thing to remember is to not overeat to the point of PBing. That is the most important thing. The next thing is when you fill the pouch to it's capacity it stretches no matter what. Once the food goes through the opening it resumes it's normal size. If you continually over fill the pouch then it can stretch larger but over time it will resume it's shape again if you cut down on the portions you are taking in. I try to envision a single hand full of food (this is what the normal stomach can hold) then cut that in half and eat till I feel restriction.

The KEY is to watch how much you are eating and stop when you feel restriction.

Lisa, the Al Roker thing is something I have not heard. I kinda doubt the lower portion of our stomachs will become flabby as they are still working. The food that passes through the opening is being digested by the lower part of our stomachs. SO it should never become flabby due to not being used. Al Roker had the gastric bypass procedure. He would not have the flabby stomach that was mentioned I would think. His entire system has been re-plumbed so to speak. His stomach MUSCLES might be flabby from all the weight loss if he is not doing exercises. But NOT his stomach. That is my personal opinion on that matter.

Sassaay you are correct in your observations.

Donali, I know you are busy for a while, but when you come back and read this, I wanted to say again that my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Thanks, Sultana. I appreciate it!

Hi Michelle (La_Madam),

I have orderd Jessi Ahroni's new book on amazon.com "Laproscopic adjustable gastric banding, Achieving permanent weight loss with minimal invasive surgery" hopefully this will help me also to understand everything.

I checked out Amazon as well as doing a search on google and cannot find this book. Please provide any more details.

Thanks,

I guess I didn't search very hard... Found it on my third try.

Thanks,

Sassaay: I ordered my book from Amazon.com with no problems. Wonder what happened?

Try this link?

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0595311148/002-2573815-6610439?%5Fencoding=UTF8]Amazon.com: Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding: Achieving Permanent Weight Loss with Minimally Invasive Surgery: Jessie H. Ahroni Ph.D. A. R. N. P.: Books[/ame]

I am pretty sure I have stretched or atleast tugged my little pouch. My food intake has really increased. Nothing like before. I seen a 5 lb increase on the scale from this and a decrease in exercise. This was like getting a fresh one in the kisser! I have rededicated so back to basics. No drinking which I been doing and quit thinking I can eat anything. Pray for me cause this was very scary for me. I came from 279 -229 44 wst-38 aince Augest 12,03 so I am scared.

Thanks Penni,

I think I had the author's name spelled incorrectly in my search and then I had to just search on adjustable gastric banding. Anyway, I finally found it and ordered a copy.

Thanks again, maybe the link will help someone else who would like to order the book.

Bobby -

Congrats on your wonderful success so far!!! And congrats on rededicating yourself to your journey. I posted a reply to your seperate thread. I'll just recap here that if physical hunger is driving you to eat more than you'd like a fill is in order - but only if you're not vomiting or having reflux.

This is a long journey. It has twists and turns. Sometimes we take the scenic route.

This is not a diet, so you have not failed. You've been resting...

Bumping

I wonder why I never PB? I realize it's awful, but I might need that lesson cause I just ate pizza for the first time since being banded. I ate about 1.5 pieces (no crust) with no problemo. My ribcage feels tight in the center, which I think means I'm full. It's also my first bread experience (though I've eaten a flour tortilla.)

I was hoping to have problems with bread like normal banded people since bread is a problem food. I wish I would have stopped at 1 piece, because then I'd feel like I was in control. Pizza is one of those Stop Sign foods!

I'm 5'10" and other women are 4'9". Are my internal organs the same size as theirs?

Hi, I am totally new at this sharing of ideas and experiences on any topic let alone lap banding. I was banded two years ago and at first everything went fine. I lost 32 pounds and was ecstatic. When I had my last adjustment, whcih was about 5 months after the surgery, I think it was too much because up until that time I had never had productive burping. Suddenly, even after 1 or 2 bites it felt like food was stuck and I would have to work to get it up. Because I had a hard time keeping solid foods from getting stuck I began to eat easier to swollow foods that were also much higher in calories. I quit loosing weight and have now actually put 10 lbs back on. I know that my eating habits have gone back to the old ways, too many sweets and grazing. I am also afraid that I have stretched my pouch because of the pb. I didn't know any of this and am amazed at how much you all know. Is there going to be a chance for me to get my banding to work again. I haven't discussed this with my doctor and have not been back to see him for over a year. Any advice. Thanks so much. Rachael

I spent a few months where I pb'd all the time.. not overeating but just sliming when i ate too fast.. how do i know if i have any damage.. what are the signs.. it would be the ultimate failure to have a removal

fatandoverit - I would like an answer or an explanation to your question, as well. I have spent the last couple of months pb'ing regularly and not from overeating, but from eating too quickly. This evening I made ribs for the family. I thought I was chewing carefully, but think I ate to quickly anyway. Well, I have spent the last 2 hours pb'ing and I still feel stuck. I only have 2 cc's in a 10 cc band. I am due back to the doc in 10 days. I am thinking of removing 1 cc.

I have also found that I am essentially following a diet like weight watchers and exercising every day. I am beginning to wonder if I need any fill because right after surgery I knew I could not gorge myself, ate fairly decently and never pb'd. Now that I have had a fill, I am continuously pbing (several times a week) and I sometimes slip into old habits thinking I can eat something sweet because at least it doesn't get stuck.

Did anyone go through this, and if so, what did you do? Karen

I p'b several times weekly for months.. ate too fast and it got stuck and then i would stand at the kitchen sink and spit it up.. I even would have to spit things up in my desk garbage can at work. I was sooooooo scared. I went last week for the barium swallow and everything was perfect.. no stretching no erosion. I would suggest slow down.. i still have probs when i think i have eaten slow and it still comes up.. i went on liquids and mushies for about a week and felt better