Hi all, I keep reading about people worried about "stretching their pouch". Isn't it more likely that if a person does overeat, they will bring it back up than actually stretch their pouch? That was my understanding from the meetings I've gone to.

Also, woudn't they feel some pretty strong discomfort eating if this was occurring? I always assumed that if there was no "off" feeling and you just feel "full" that it was going through ok. Now granted everything that goes through me is either liquid or mushed/chewed to high heaven, but just trying to get my head wrapped around what I'm reading before it's time to move on.

Thanks!

BTW I hit the -20 lb mark since surgery yesterday- whoohoo

I can tell you that when I had my last fill I couldnt hardly eat anything for a few weeks. Now I can eat again but not as much. Maybe you heal and adjust to new feelings in your stomach and or learn how to eat again each time, it did feel as if I'd stretched it out cause I could eat more and more. When I say more I mean like a rice bowl (uncle Bens) is a big meal for me now. Another issue is before the last fill I could eat quite a bit and was stuck at weight too. Now the Doctor said I'd really lost some weight and some of that was in the area of my band therefore I wasnt as restricted...I was 239 then and I am sure I am atleast 217 now, since 2/05. I did rededicate the exercise program at that time too though to lose more weight.

Kris, "stretching one's pouch" isn't something that happens overnight or due to a single event of overeating. First, though, realize that stomach tissue is MADE to stretch and expand, and putting in a cup of food isn't going to do it any harm. Stomach tissue expands and retracts as part of the normal course of business.

If you overeat repeatedly, past the point of pain and discomfort, and somehow learn to force things down rather than allow them to come up, it is theoretically possible that your pouch will expand in a permanent way. But bandsters run a different kind of risk that is likely to happen first if the behavior continues, and that's slippage. Stomach tissue can move up through the band creating a larger pouch. As far as I know, when bandsters' pouches have gotten larger that's usually the cause.

On any given day, though, yes, if you eat too much the food is going to want to come back up. That's called PBing, and you'll know it when it happens to you.

Unfortunately, there are a few of us strange birds who for some reason do not 'PB' as much as others. I often worry that I have or am stretching my pouch because I simply do not get the 'stop' signs with this one that I did with my first. It worries me that my esophagus isn't responding and I may be 'pouch packing' at times. After 2 yrs, it's easy to get tired of constantly being on 'watch' for every little thing and get complacent. I may ask for a slight unfill to make my stoma a bit larger so that I don't get this 'overstuffing' feeling when I eat. Never thought I'd ever actually 'wish' I could PB, but I simply do not.

PBing is painful.

Leatha I am the same way, I don't pb and don't get any signal to stop eating until I am already full!

anyone try eating a OM egg-Ive eaten scrambled but this morning tried 2 bites of a OM egg and it became one of the most painful PBs ever

What's an OM egg?

Leatha, I think I'm getting to the same point you are. I've noticed recently that I can eat faster than I've been able to for a long time, and before I know it I've eaten too much and have definite discomfort. The feelings that used to stop me from eating too fast are much less evident now.

Naturally my thoughts stray first toward wanting a tighter fill, but I worry that my esophagus isn't as reactive as it used to be and that's the problem, not the restriction level. My doctor says he expects to see more and more examples of reduced esophageal sensitivity as time goes on, and I don't want to be one of them.

It's SO HARD to break those habits!! Even 21 months out and I still have a tendency to eat too darned fast!!!

over medium egg-scrambled was easy but I will NEVER eat a fried over medium egg again.

I never know I'm full until I start to pb, then pretty much everything comes back or at least it seems like it. I'm still working on the smaller bites and more chewing, you'd think after 5 months it would be the natural way to eat instead of still eating too fast or not chewing enough.

eggs are often problematic for bandsters. my worst pb's ever were on scrambled eggs. the texture just isn't band friendly. i've never had a problem with fried, but scrambled gets me every time.

I thought I was going to die-it was horrible-even the illicit piece of pork chop I had a few days back was NOTHING like this.My chest felt like it was going to explode and this is without a fill!!!

a little mayo added does wonders/samidge no bread!

On another note, some days I can eat a steak and mashed tators/next day I'm pushing to get enough calories down. Timing is everything for me!

I'm very happy where I am and hope to report great progress here soon. I really want 209 by 05/25/05. That would be a great Bday present for myself.