I love this article, it says it all.

http://www.carolinasurgical.com/life-after-bariatric-surgery/i-am-afraid-of-my-pouch-stretching-after-bariatric-surgery/

Thanks for the article, it makes me feel much better about life after my surgery! I am 6 weeks out and still can't believe how little we eat!

Big problem with that article? Sleevers don't have pouches.

But at 2.5 years out, I still can't eat more than 1/4 - 1/2 cup of proteen (sic) at a sitting most days so I agree with the idea that sleeves don't stretch.

And yes. I drink carbonation every day. Through a straw!

^{I too drink carbonation regularly. Not everyday, but probably 3-4 days a week and never more than 1 a day. I used to feel so guilty about doing this, but I found that I actually do better when I stick with carbonated drinks, and not downing the real sugary sweet tea!}

Several surgeons call the after area of stomach a "pouch" so its understandable. But there are many articles that show that you simply cannot stretch the stomach back to size. When the fundus, which is the elastic part of the stomach is removed, the rest of the stomach area left, has some give to it, as does all tissue, but it cannot simply regrow new tissue. We havent invented a way to do that yet or we could grow back limbs, and new organs etc.

Someday perhaps.

I posted research about stomach dilatation (stretching) last week: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/354672-gastric-dilatation-does-not-necessarily-lead-to-weight-regain/

Dilation (stretching) does happen, but mostly to larger sleeves. You are going to have many people tell you that it just can't happen, they are wrong. This seems to have a great deal to do with how much of the fundus is cut out. The remaining fundus can stretch up to four times it's original size. Research shows that about 50% of the ghrelin is still produced in our bodies. I can also attest to the fact that my hunger and cravings are about at 40% compared to before surgery. I've read that most sleeves hold about 2 ounces after surgery but will eventually hold 4-6 ounces. This means that it is normal for the sleeve to enlarge 2-3 times its original size over time, despite not overeating.

Really, what counts is NOT the size of our stomach, but what we put in it. I've seen patients regain weight no matter what their sleeve size. It's interesting to note that I've lost much more weight than those that boast at meetings that they are full after a few tablespoons. Even if your capacity has increased, the key is to stay positive! You can and will be successful!

Further info: http://myaceinhand.b...ougie-size.html

**How to prevent your stomach from stretching: https://www.youtube....h?v=3_aahPETzH0

This is an Dr. Weiner video. He does state on the video that hunger and capacity return to about 50% when compared to right after surgery.

Edited November 6, 201510 yr by WL WARRIOR

Yep. 2 years out, drink carbonation regularly, (but not NEAR like I did pre-op) and I still have GREAT restriction. I can tolerate anything I like, just in very small quantities. When it comes to carbonation... slooowly. I can start on a Diet Rite at work in the afternoon and not finish it until some time after dinner! Bubbles fill me up. When I'm full, I can't eat! Win-Win!

...And yes. I drink carbonation every day. Through a straw!

CA-CA-CA-CA-CA-CARBONATED beverages AND THROUGH A STRAW!

Ohhh, I am feeling weak just reading this.

(Grabbing my chest) Elizabeth, I think this is the big one!

....We havent invented a way to do that yet or we could grow back limbs, and new organs etc.

Someday perhaps.

Damn, I thought with stem cell research, they would be able to get my foreskin to grow back.

@@WL WARRIOR

I love Dr Weiner!

And yes, although it may stretch a little, like the good Dr. says, it will NEVER be it's original size. That to me is a nice side effect of this surgery. Still gives us all a fighting chance even years down the road!

Bubbles fill me up. When I'm full, I can't eat! Win-Win!

Exactly.

I guess I have carbonation too, but it is mostly in the form of soda Water... with a little lime and perhaps vodka to dilute the bubbles. oops, should I admit that?

Actually, I am a social drinker, I have mentioned that before. Be really careful fellow sleevers as a "dab will do ya" when it comes to alcohol. I go to happy hour with my girlfriends a couple times a month and we all order the same drink (see above) in a very tall glass. All that was inspired by me trying to find the lowest carb/lowest calorie drink that you could still suck down and feel like you've drunk something!

Actually, every once in awhile I have a diet root beer. When I was obese, I didn't drink root beer, but somehow now it is this over the top sweet delight that makes me feel like I have had something really really decadent.

I dunno, I am far enough out from my original surgery that I think my tummy is my mature size. I don't worry too much about it - I just try to eat small. I do get hunger, but normal humans experience hunger. I feel like that is what I experience now compared to the overwhelming drive to eat - constant hunger I used to have.

I can honestly say, the sleeve has for me lived up to all the hype.

Thank you!

I posted research about stomach dilatation (stretching) last week: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/354672-gastric-dilatation-does-not-necessarily-lead-to-weight-regain/

Dilation (stretching) does happen, but mostly to larger sleeves. You are going to have many people tell you that it just can't happen, they are wrong. This seems to have a great deal to do with how much of the fundus is cut out. The remaining fundus can stretch up to four times it's original size. Research shows that about 50% of the ghrelin is still produced in our bodies. I can also attest to the fact that my hunger and cravings are about at 40% compared to before surgery. I've read that most sleeves hold about 2 ounces after surgery but will eventually hold 4-6 ounces. This means that it is normal for the sleeve to enlarge 2-3 times its original size over time, despite not overeating.

Really, what counts is NOT the size of our stomach, but what we put in it. I've seen patients regain weight no matter what their sleeve size. It's interesting to note that I've lost much more weight than those that boast at meetings that they are full after a few tablespoons. Even if your capacity has increased, the key is to stay positive! You can and will be successful!

Further info: http://myaceinhand.b...ougie-size.html

**How to prevent your stomach from stretching: https://www.youtube....h?v=3_aahPETzH0

This is an Dr. Weiner video. He does state on the video that hunger and capacity return to about 50% when compared to right after surgery.

One of the main reasons why your stomach eventually holds 4 - 6 oz of food is because the swelling from the surgery goes away. Some is dilation, I will agree with that, but you cannot discount the swelling from surgery either.

I love this article, it says it all.

http://www.carolinasurgical.com/life-after-bariatric-surgery/i-am-afraid-of-my-pouch-stretching-after-bariatric-surgery/

This article was very helpful to me since im a pre-op

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I posted research about stomach dilatation (stretching) last week: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/354672-gastric-dilatation-does-not-necessarily-lead-to-weight-regain/

Dilation (stretching) does happen, but mostly to larger sleeves. You are going to have many people tell you that it just can't happen, they are wrong. This seems to have a great deal to do with how much of the fundus is cut out. The remaining fundus can stretch up to four times it's original size. Research shows that about 50% of the ghrelin is still produced in our bodies. I can also attest to the fact that my hunger and cravings are about at 40% compared to before surgery. I've read that most sleeves hold about 2 ounces after surgery but will eventually hold 4-6 ounces. This means that it is normal for the sleeve to enlarge 2-3 times its original size over time, despite not overeating.

Really, what counts is NOT the size of our stomach, but what we put in it. I've seen patients regain weight no matter what their sleeve size. It's interesting to note that I've lost much more weight than those that boast at meetings that they are full after a few tablespoons. Even if your capacity has increased, the key is to stay positive! You can and will be successful!

Further info: http://myaceinhand.b...ougie-size.html

**How to prevent your stomach from stretching: https://www.youtube....h?v=3_aahPETzH0

This is an Dr. Weiner video. He does state on the video that hunger and capacity return to about 50% when compared to right after surgery.

One of the main reasons why your stomach eventually holds 4 - 6 oz of food is because the swelling from the surgery goes away. Some is dilation, I will agree with that, but you cannot discount the swelling from surgery either.

how long does it take for the swelling to go down?

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