Please guys, I need your help ... How big is our new pouch supposed to be?

[Mid West 99]

As previously posted, I'm a band to bypass conversion on 10/10. I have no restriction and yet my my x-rays are 'fine' and 'normal'. I have an appointment with my surgical team next week and need to go in there with the right info. On my initial consultation, the bariatric nurse told me the new stomach would be the size of a lime - she held one up! I've read various posts, all sorts of medical reports and articles and I'm more confused than ever ... so I thought I'd ask the people who've been through it ... you guys! Please can you tell me how big the new stomach post rny should be? Or how much it should hold? I realise I'll get different answers but when I ask him how big mine is / will hold judging by the x-rays, I'll be able (within a certain range) to know if mine is normal. Also, apparently the correct stoma size post surgery is 1/4 of an inch - would everyone agree with that? Thanks so much. L x

Edited December 29, 2013 by UK-RNY

[Carlotta1 401]

Stomach size that will hold 2-3 oz of food. 1/4 cup. Which is not much.

[cecy30 3]

On December 10th i was revised from lap band to bypass...yesterday was my follow up appoinment with my doctor and she told me that my new pouch (stomach) is about the size of my thumb...she said that as of right now I should be eating soft foods such as: scramble egg, steam veggies, tuna salad, egg salad...BUT only 1/4 of a cup.

[TurnThePage 220]

Don't you think that is for your surgeon to decide, based on your body size and type, Your health, and his experience and education?

There are a lot of things to learn and focus on to make your WLS a success. Why waste time and energy on things you have no control over?

[Mid West 99]

Yes because we all had WLS so that we could lose all the weight and keep it off by diet and exercise alone didn't we?

If you had any kind of surgery that you didn't think was quite right, you're telling me you wouldn't question it? I don't think so.

[TurnThePage 220]

This is all very confusing.

You asked a question which suggested you were perhaps going to tell the surgeon how to do his job. Now it seems like you had surgery and you think something may be wrong. It looks like half the story is missing. Can you please clarify instead of snapping at someone who is trying to figure out how to help?

[Mid West 99]

Did you miss the part about me having no restriction?

You're usually the first one to advise people to go back to their surgeons if they feel something's wrong.

I'm just looking for a rough consensus on pouch size. If you have anything helpful to add, that would be great.

[erikaloftin 62]

This is kind of a trick question, because your pouch changes quite a bit in the first few months. At first, your stomach should be roughly 2oz or the size of an egg. After that, it's really up to you and your body. For example, I am 8 months post op and depending on what I eat, I eat about 4-5 oz of food comfortably. So an egg is immediately after surgery. I'm assuming what your nurse showed you is what your stomach should roughly look like, which is a pretty accurate estimate.

Hope this helps!

[erikaloftin 62]

TurnThePage, I also read your comment as rude and judgmental. When I read this question, I thought it was totally fair, because as you probably know, when you first have your surgery, you don't feel a sesation of fulness, so its important to know how much your stomach can hold and how much is acceptable and safe to eat. My surgery center was excellent at making these kinds of things very clear to me, but some aren't, so people shouldn't feel ashamed to ask any questions here.

Don't you think that is for your surgeon to decide, based on your body size and type, Your health, and his experience and education?

There are a lot of things to learn and focus on to make your WLS a success. Why waste time and energy on things you have no control over?

[Birthsjourney 146]

If it helps .. I had a Rny by pass on nov 18th. I was told egg size but never more than 3. -4 ozs .. At 6 weeks out they allowed me 1/2 cup but to eat it over 30 minutes ( staying mindful of when I am full ) right now 1/2 cup seems to filling.. Your pouch will let u know ! Good luck

[I'm losing it! 19]

I had RYGB on the 17th of December. I am 12 days post op. I have a very informative team in my opinion. I was told my new pouch is approx 5 oz in holding tank size, approx the size of an egg. Once I am done with my three week post op liquid diet I will be advanced to softs and so on. Once eating, I have been told that I should only be eating 1/3 cup at the MOST per meal. I am anxious to feel 'full' and get that sensation I will be looking for that I have not felt yet.

[oldoneyoungagain 200]

I was told it would be about the size of an egg. My surgery was 9/11/13 and I can eat more but I do limit myself. But I think that is because I actually make myself eat. Occasionally I am hungry, so have to watch that I don't get hungry as will eat too fast and too much. Also I do not depend on my pouch to tell me when I am full, even though at times it will. I just stop knowing that is all I should be eating. I was on a stall for over a month and now back to losing almost a lb daily.

[Mid West 99]

Thanks guys, this is really helpful x