stretched stoma
I was wondering if anyone has had a stretched stoma. If so what did
it feel like? I will be 10 weeks post op tomorrow and I can eat way
more than I would like to be able to. I’ve lost 50 pounds so far but
I lost it all the first 4 weeks. I haven’t lost an ounce since 4
weeks and I’m so stressed. FYI, a large amount of food to me is all
of the eggplant from the Olive Garden’s eggplant parmesan dish. I
ate some salad and all of the eggplant (none of the pasta) and felt
comfortable. That scares me terrible. Obviously when I was first
pre op I couldn’t eat 1/4 of a scrambled egg. I’m concerned that my
stoma is stretched because so much food goes in comfortably so
early. Any input?
Gretchen
April 1st, 2003 at 8:26 pm
Hi Ray–
Glad to hear from you again. Sorry to hear about all those
surgeries–hopefully, 2002 will be surgery free for you.
Regarding the post below, what is “the Ditch”? Never heard that one! Also, my
surgeon told me that my stoma was 3 cm–doesn’t that sound a bit large? I get
full ok, and I have lost 57 lbs in 3.5 months, which is under the curve, but I
started at 250–he’s happy with my loss, but I wonder if the stoma size is
slowing me down. On the bright side, I have no problem drinking fluids quickly!
Thanks!
–Brenda in Wilm, NC
Ray Hooks <hooksray@…
the gastric pouch. The stoma is the opening between the gastric pouch and the
small intestine. It is usually about the diameter of an M&M or a dime. It is
doubtful that your stoma has stretched significantly in just 8 weeks.
My approach was to stop eating when I had eaten enough to fill the
pouch. I did not eat until I felt full. The satiety feeling is slow to
develop. Eating until it develops can lead to over eating. It is best
to stay away from The Ditch.
Ray Hooks
–Brenda in Wilmington, NC Pre-op BMI 43, lap RNY w/Dr. Grant at Duke on 9/7/01
3 wks post-op: -20 lbs; 6wks: -34lbs, 8wks: -40lbs, 10 wks: -47lbs