Has anyone stretched there pouch and if so what did you do about it. I am allways measuring 3 to 4 ounces of food due to fear of this happening. I did self pay and taking all precautions.

:rambo

Has anyone stretched there pouch and if so what did you do about it. I am allways measuring 3 to 4 ounces of food due to fear of this happening. I did self pay and taking all precautions.

:rambo

Typically, the lesser curve of the stomach, where the Lap-Band is placed, is extremely resistant to stretching out from the pressure of food.

It is rather rare for a person's actual stomach to stretch out in that area.

Unfortunately, the esophagus, located directly above the small stomach that is created by the Lap-Band, is NOT so resistant to stretching out. It can become stretched out like a balloon by "Stuffing the pouch", that is, continuing to eat after the small stomach is full.

This is why learning to recognize our new "Full signal" is so important to a new Lap-Band patient. This is also why eating slowly, and measuring out small amounts of food is emphasized in the post-op diet plan.

Continuing to eat large amounts of food puts one at risk for esophageal dilation.

The normal course of action for a patient exibiting esophageal dilation is to completely unfill the band for a period of time. That time will vary from patient to patient, but typically is at least 4 weeks, up to a year, depending on how long the patient's esophagus take to shrink to normal size.

Many doctors will recommend behavioral modification classes, or Band-Specific eating classes, to their patients during the time of unfill, to assist the patients in learning how to avoid repeated esophageal dilations.

In cases of extreme esophageal dilation, or repeated dilations, the Lap-Band may be removed.

The hidden risk in esophageal dilation is the rare instance of hemmorage of a blood vessel in the esophagus, due to the thinning out of the esophagus itself. Fortunately, this is VERY rare.

Doesn't a person tend to throw up if the stuff themselves? How does the esophagus have time to stretch?

Doesn't a person tend to throw up if the stuff themselves? How does the esophagus have time to stretch?

Some, but not all people throw up if they eat too much after getting a Lap-Band.

For those who do not throw up, stretching the esophagus or the pouch is simply a matter of applying pressure over time.

I see all of these posts about how much we should eat but not so many on how much we shouldnt. I have just been eating until I am full and not beyond that. Depending on the food it may be a whole hamburger patty and a few bites of beans or it may be half a chicken breast. How much should we eat? I am no good at oz. measurements so give me the easy way please?

I see all of these posts about how much we should eat but not so many on how much we shouldnt. I have just been eating until I am full and not beyond that. Depending on the food it may be a whole hamburger patty and a few bites of Beans or it may be half a chicken breast. How much should we eat? I am no good at oz. measurements so give me the easy way please?

I have heard of earting one to one and a half cups of food per meal.