Was hoping to hear from any members who have been unfilled (or filled) and began eating large enough portions that they stretched their pouches out. What happened? Were you able to shrink it back to a smaller size over time with the correct portions?

I've heard various concerns/anxieties over the years about this subject.

It seems to me, that in the act of 'becoming full' the sensation of actually BEING FULL would disincline one considerably enough to change over eating behavior.

I could be wrong.

I am unfilled at the moment. my band slipped just a tiny bit. I honestly haven't given my pouch a thought. I don't eat a lot apparently because I never have a full feeling and just figured the food was going through the pouch without trouble. but I just started back on solids so I think I will be aware of this and it really small meals like my doctor wants me to. thanks for bringing this to my attention. my pouch was not stretched with the band slippage and my band slipped back over my pouch just a bit. the food instead was going up my esophagus. I just want everyone to understand that anything can happened. please be aware of your body and listen to it carefully. if odd things start to happened than you will know it and do something about it before it becomes major. okay stepping off my soapbox. I love my band , want to keep my band and am sad of the problems I am having. I don't want any of you to have the same problems.

I am un filled as well at this moment. I became .sick with a respiratory infection and mucus clogged my hole. Noting was going down. Not even water or the barium when the did the x ray. They un filled my band since my stoma was enlarged and starting dilation. Been on mashies for two weeks. Going in on Monday to re check. My symptoms were obvious. Major constant sliming. Even with water. Vomiting every thing. When I would lay down, anything I had drank, even after waiting an hour, would seep up from my esophagus and I would end up choking in my sleep. It was horrible. Listen to your body. Always.

Hey Sombra, we have the same doctor. Dr. Sanchez is awesome! I'm 4 years out and she has really taken care of me. I've stretched my pouch twice due to a combination of major drainage from seasonal allergies and eating too fast and not chewing my food well. First, time I was deflated for 4 weeks and did 2 Protein shakes a day and Soup for supper. My pouch did shrink, but, remained a little larger than it should be. The second time, Dr. Sanchez didn't deflate me, but, recommended that I measure my meals consisting of 1/2 cup. This did the trick and took a bit longer to shrink my pouch back down. I think that once you've experienced a stretched pouch you are prone to it, so, you must be careful by not overeating. As of today, I continue to measure my 1/2 cup meals and in addition every 2 months or so, I'll put myself on a preventive maintenance where I'll have the 2 Protein Shakes a day (Breakfast and lunch) and a mushy supper for 1 - 2 weeks. This seems to be working really well for me. Know that stretching your pouch is progressive and cannot happen with one or two episodes of rules breach. Hope this helps. Did you stretch your pouch or are you just curious what happens? Jake

Edited September 4, 201411 yr by jakealta

I am glad to read that there is success in shrinking a stretched pouch! I just went for a fill because I was eating too much, my portions were huge and everything was going down way too easy. The doctor removed some saline, so now I have no restriction and I have an appointment in 4 weeks to re-fill. He said to watch amount and what I eat until he can tighten it again. I am scared that I have ruined my pouch permanently. I have read that sometimes the fix to pouch dilation is surgery. Has anyone had this complication?

Brenda

IMO it is not a complication, but normal....the stomach is designed to stretch and contract with the amount put into it, and the pouch is still part of the stomach.

I've been banded over 4 years....the band sets limits on how much I can eat - portion control....don't need to measure or count calories....

From time to time I realize I just ate more than usual with little problem....(throughout a day)

It is then I will go all liquids for 2-3 days, after which I feel back to normal again. Letting my pouch return to normal.

Some people call this the 5 day pouch test (why, I'll never know) but your Dr. is doing the same thing by removing the Fluid...he could just as easily instructed you to lay off solid foods for a week, but would you have?

Every 5-6 weeks, I lay off solid foods and stick with liquids including Soups, shakes, etc....this is the only maintenance I am aware of with the band...(since I am not dieting)

But of course, this is me and what I do...other people have different opinions and different experiences....

@@B-52 how many days do you do your liquid for 5 to 6 week maintenance.

@@B-52 how many days do you do your liquid for 5 to 6 week maintenance.

Varies, usually 2 days does it....sometimes only one day...

I am tightest first thing in the morning, and I can tell when I'm good just by drinking my coffee....

DOn't know if this OP is still looking for replies, but for other visitors...I didn't stretch my pouch, but stretched my esophagus! I was too tight for too long and overeating and managed to make my esophagus an extra part of my stomach. I didn't realize anything was wrong for years..just thought I had usual band quirks. Decided last summer to finally go and get a routine check. My surgeon is in Mexico, but luckily I have Kaiser and they covered me getting checked out. WIth a routine flouro, I had barely any barium passing and the next week, I was completely unfilled to let my esophagus rest for 3 months. I gained 45lbs in that time waiting for a recheck. I went back and esophagus was back to normal. surgeon waited an additional few weeks to get me refilled. I am on the journey back to where I was before..hoping I can get this weight off.

So I recommend getting a flouro check routinely. It had been at least 5+ years I was down for a check to Mexico. My last fills were done "blind" by a northern california doctor who accepted mexico patients. Last saw him for a fill 3-4+ years ago and had been stable at my goal weight all those years. Glad I decided to check it out. Hated the weight gain, but hoping I reversed the damage and will be more vigilant now!!