I had surgery three weeks ago and according to my surgeon can now eat anything. I am being super cautious , but am experimenting with various foods. I have found most meats aren't going down to great but still like to try for the Protein. Anyway- tonight I ate very few bites of some meat and now feel painfully painfully full. I guess my question is - can you stretch your stomach at this point? I am not purposefully eating too much - I just feel like it's such an experiment now--- I didn't know that the difference between the 3rd and 4 th tiny bite would be such a difference

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I was given a guideline to go by. Measure so you don't over eat. You can't stretch your stomach but I would be very cautious - you are not fully healed. 3 weeks is early for meat.

Yeah my dr doesn't give hardly any guidelines at all- I have called several times and asked the nurse but they aren't very helpful. They didn't even give me a Protein goal. Everything I know I feel like I have learned from the Internet sadly.

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Do y'all think I should not eat meat? I have re read my paperwork and actually have a checkup Tuesday- but it says I can eat everything now

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Do y'all think I should not eat meat? I have re read my paperwork and actually have a checkup Tuesday- but it says I can eat everything now

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You can eat it - but slowly and chew well. I'd start on 1-2ozs to make sure you don't get too full.

Why don't you try it puréed first,if your worried and then introduce small portions.

I was told 3-4 iz no more at a time. Wait 30 minutes before drinking cuz that can stretch your stomach. And that's lifetime. Absolutely no carbonated drinks Ever!!! I see my nutritionist once a month faithfully. She guides me with what to do !!if you dont have a nutritionist you need one for sure.

Fyi chicken was hard to get down better off eating dark meat and make sure you weigh tour food

I don't know if this is true or not but I read and was told that you can't stretch your stomach till it's fully healed at 3 months. I was also told by my surgeon that if you don't follow the guidelines you can stretch out a sleeve to the same size your stomach was before.

Again this is just from my research and experiences, I'm no Dr lol

It is physically impossible to stretch your stomach from eating. They removed the stretchy part. Any surgeon telling you that if you do "X" you'll stretch your stomach is using scare tactics to keep you from eating poorly (basically thinks their clients are not smart enough to handle proper diet and portion control instructions - it is unfortunately very common).

As your stomach heals it will relax and allow you to hold more than right now by a few ounces, but it will never, ever EVER go back to the size it was.

At three weeks, I could barely handle an ounce or so of mushy food like yogurt and chicken salad (made with light mayo and sugar free pickle relish). Eating real meat that early seems very fast, and your sleeve is telling you that it isn't ready.

I would suggest going back to eating high Protein mushy/soft foods like canned chicken or tuna salad, yogurt, eggs, refried Beans with sour cream or greek yogurt and cheese, baked fish.

Meat like chicken, turkey or beef will be very dense and hard on a sleeve for some time. I'd wait another couple of weeks and try something like moist chicken drumsticks (I do drumsticks in the crockpot with a few spices like sage and thyme and garlic powder and they come out fall off the bone moist). But you absolutely should be tracking what you eat (and calories, fat, carbs and protein), measuring/weighing your portions so you don't overeat and cause discomfort or pain, and shoot for a minimum of 80 grams of protein (while keeping the carbs low and the fat moderate). Oh and do not drink with food at all, and wait a minimum of 30 minutes after you eat before having anything to drink.

I would suggest trying 2 ounces at a time for meals for now and see how you feel. DO NOT FORCE YOURSELF TO EAT if you feel weird.

Edited September 3, 201610 yr by FrankiesGirl

I think my meal size those first three months was 1/4 cup.

I ate much slower then than I do now.

I could feel the fullness coming on as I finished the 1/4 cup of food. It was not a pleasant feeling and one that I avoided.

Your stomach has a lot of healing left to do and there is inflammation. You really do need to proceed carefully and stick with soft flaky & moist proteins.

Your bariatric practice has done you a disservice by not making the guidelines very clear.....before this point. I'd raise a little hell with them on that next appointment.

I know a person who has the surgery 3 years ago and although much smaller than prior to surgery, he has regained significantly.

I asked my surgeon about this specifically and I have done a great deal of reading on the subject. According to both, after surgery a person, after healing, who consistently over eats can stretch the stomach pouch. All of the advice given is sound, small bites of small amounts of the proper food at the right time. Good health everyone-where in this together.

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I'm about a month post op and the only meat I've tried is deli sliced lunch meat (turkey) which has been fine. I'm restricted to soft foods for another 2 weeks and agree that it seems early for no restrictions. Be careful and don't eat what you can't handle. If it is painful, you probably aren't ready.

Can you stretch your stomach if you drink too much fluid? I am 6 days out of surgery and have been doing good but I think I might have drank my water too fast. I am worried that I have stretched my stomach and dont know how to tell if I have.

My understanding is that fluids will not stretch it. Consistent overeating will

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I did self pay, in Mexico, with after care from my family physician. I have had to depend on massive amounts of Internet research, pouring over forums to read first hand experience, and then just plain listening to my body!

My be all end all of everything that goes in my mouth...... If it hurts or causes discomfort, my tummy is not ready. Everyone's journey I different, but I can tell you I have had zero vomiting, zero nausea. Which j feared as for some it is a new way of life

When in doubt, go back to liquids and try again next meal. You won't hurt anything by taking your time.

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