Hey everyone. I was just wondering what ya'll know about carbs and stretching the pouch. My doctor never said to do a low carb diet, but at the same time, he didn't say to eat Pasta and potatoes for every meal. He said to focus on lower calories. I havent had any problems getting down toasted bread or angel hair pasta so I like to splurge on that every now and then.

However, my boyfriend is one month post op and his doctor said to avoid carbs because they stretch the pouch. He is supposed to do a low carb, low fat diet and not worry so much about calories.

I'm somewhat concerned that I might be on the road to stretching my pouch due to the carb intake. Any insight as to which one we should be following will be greatly appreciated!

First, there are carbs in LOTS of things, not just Pasta and potatoes. There are carbs in veggies, there are carbs in fruit, there are even carbs in eggs.

Pasta and rice can swell after you eat them (think of how pasta will keep absorbing Water after you quit cooking it, if you leave it in the water) so you might eat to "satisfied" and then have it swell. I don't know about carbs especially "stretching" the pouch, however. I would tell my boyfriend he should confirm with his doctor; it's possible he misunderstood (that happens when we are barraged with info!)

Same with you, ask your doc.

Some docs prefer a Protein, then veggies (WHICH HAVE CARBS! LOL) then fruit diet...because protein tends to keep one full longer (or at least some think so) etc...but ANY food can stretch your pouch if you overeat, for long enough.

Ask your doc for direction, or your nutritionist.

Thank you for replying. I was thinking exactly the same thing you posted! I know there are bandsters who prefer low carb because the weight comes off quicker but I just gain it back once I eat something with "bad carbs".

I guess I need to just a smaller amount of starchy carbs like Pasta so then when it swells, it won't stretch the pouch.

I totally agree with RM. There are good carbs and bad carbs but they take on a whole new meaning with the band. Even the good ones like pasta and rice as she said can swell up and cause unwanted swelling. Following doctor's orders is always best. When I went to my follow up appointment with my surgeon last week, I took a list of questions, mostly that I had from reading this website so much and she answered everyone. I was much more clear headed and took in the info much better since I had recovered from my surgery.

Just remember 1. do what your doc tells you FIRST; especially in the first few months when you are healing and learning your new band and digestive system and 2. if you're going to eat pasta and/or rice, COOK IT WELL FIRST! NO al dente!

My doctor advised out of my 4oz meal to do 3 oz protein and whatever as the last 1. He also mentioned that the bad thing with pasta is it is a slider food, so does not stay in your pouch as long as other foods so you do not retain the full feeling. Also the two times I have tried to eat rice I have gotten sick afterwords, so I am thinking it swelled up.

I guess we're all individuals becuase I find carb foods like bread and Pasta are what make my band work like it should, meaning they stay in my pouch inducing a sense of satisfaction on fewer calories than lots of Protein - not that I dont eat protein too, I just focus equally on all food groups.

If I eat salad vegies and tuna for lunch, I'll be hungry in an hour. If I eat that between 2 slice of bread I wont get quite all of it in, so I eat slightly less tuna and slightly less vegies but with the addition of (wholegrain) bread, it all stays with me for hours and hours and hours.

The thing is the carbs you eat must be low GI ones, ones that dont give you a massive rise in blood sugar. Also, if you eat such carbs with slow digesting foods that are high in protein, that also slows down the absorbtion of the entire meal. Eating a potato by itself is an entirely different matter than eating a bit of potato, some vegies and some steak.

The key to not stretching your pouch is not overeating, period. And not drinking when you're eating.

Perhaps what your boyfriend means is that certain foods, like rice and pasta - particularly the white versions - can swell even more with the liquid in your stomach and that's why they can be such hard foods to eat.

Thank you SO MUCH for that post Jachut. I was EXTREMELY worried that I had stretched my pouch/band because i have no problems eating toasted bread, rice, and pasta. I find the whole grain pasta and rice more difficult to eat than white rice and white pasta due to consistency (although i still try to stick to the whole grain) I was still worried that the fact that I can get either down most of the time meant i stretched my band. I also feel more satiety and stay that way longer when i eat whole grain bread/pasta than if i just have protein. Thank you thank you thank you!

I was told by my nutritionist that bread and pasta do swell when they get wet and they can stretch the new pouch at first. Once the pouch is settled and adhesions have formed its OK. But they still recommended that protein come first then add a little starch. Once you're on solid proteins and are getting veggies and fruit (except for celery and carrots which are too fibrous), then if you're experiencing hunger and your meals aren't lasting, then add the higher fiber carbs. Protein is so important for healing and for getting the most important nutrients while you're losing weight that it has to come first and make up the majority of your diet. If you don't get enough you will lose muscle instead of fat.