Pouch stretching?? Can I shrink it?

[Texasjamie 4]

I had a gastric bypass 10 plus years ago and had a DS on June 3rd of last year and now if I eat or drink a Protein Shake, not all at once, I can eat alot more. My surgeon said he made my pouch the size of a golf ball, but it is way larger than that now I think. So would I need to go back into surgery for a pouch reconstruction or could I do something else. I can't go back to my first surgeon, because my husband is a truck driver and we up and moved states. I know bad idea, but I was happy I could take care of myself. So any ideas?

[lizonaplane 1,605]

No matter how small your pouch/sleeve/stomach is, it stretches when there is food in it and contracts when there is no food in it. Also, liquids go right through it. Also, restriction is strongest in the first year. It's up to you to limit what you eat to ensure you do not regain weight. For example, it's possible to gain weight if you are "grazing" all day. Like, your smaller stomach will only accommodate a small amount of food in 30 minutes, but it will start to pass through, and if you are eating all day long, you will end up eating more calories over the course of the day than your body needs and you will gain weight. That's why it's best to have 3 small meals along with 2-3 small Snacks. Also, drinking liquids with your meals may "push" the food through and allow you to eat more that you need, that's why they recommend you wait 30 minutes after eating to drink. I would recommend finding a bariatric nutritionist in your new state, or ask your old surgeon to recommend someone you can see to find an appropriate eating plan/number of calories per day.

[Creekimp13 5,838]

If you are gaining or unable to maintain a healthy weight...maybe it's time to address the reasons you overeat in a meaningful way. Therapy might not be a bad idea?

Eventually, further surgeries will not be an option. Each new surgery increases your future medical risk.

Wishing you the best.

[Arabesque 6,565]

We all can eat more as we progress. After surgery, I could only eat about 1/4 - 1/3 cup of food. At 12 months, I was eating a good cup depending upon what I was eating. Now at 26 months, I can eat about 3 or 4oz of meat & about a cup of vegetables. Do you weigh & track your food intake & calories?

As @lizonaplane said, the type of food you are eating will influence how much you can eat - fluids do pass through much more quickly than a dense food like steak or chicken for example. I found asking myself if I really needed that next bite or did I just want it very helpful. I also tried to stop eating before I felt full. Because that full message takes time to register, by the time you feel full, you’ve likely eaten too much. Are you eating slowly? I take 30 - 60 minutes to eat a meal.

To have stretched your tummy, you would have had to be eating large portions at every meal for some time. How much weight have you lost since your DS?

As @Creekimp13 suggested, therapy may be helpful to support you examine your relationship with food & why you’re struggling to reach & maintain at a healthy weight.

[Texasjamie 4]

I lost 200+ but I have never gotten a full message. The only message I get is when the pain comes in my chest and then sometimes it's to last. I have caught myself become a social eater when others are around. I just am worried I stretched my pouch. Since I seem too feel it in my chest sooner. drinks have never made me full not even Protein Shakes.

[MandM1188 28]

Eat less( eat 5 times a day not 12 times a day but make sure you get your macros in).........eat in a certain window for example between 7am and 7pm only. dont eat and drink at the same time. These are ways to make sure your pouch or stomach doesn't stretch too much from this point on. You got this!!!!!

You've done such a great job. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!