Expert: Steven West - 12/24/2009

Question
I had surgery in July of 2009. I am worried that I stretched my pouch so that it is back to normal. I don't know this for a fact but it seems as touch i can eat certain breads, chips, and other snacks in larger amounts with no problem. Am i ruined?

Answer
My answer depends upon your circumstances:

If you underwent gastric bypass surgery (e.g. RNY) and are able to eat unlimited amounts without feeling that the size of your stomach is limiting your intake, then the modifications made to your stomach are not doing what they were designed to do.

If you underwent Lap Band surgery and are able to eat unlimited amounts without feeling that the band is restricting your intake, then the band may not be adjusted properly and you should see your doctor for an adjustment of the band.  Your doctor will add more saline solution to the band to reduce the size of the passage from above the band to below the band.

But there is a more fundamental issue here.  If you were advised prior to the surgery that it was only a single part of the weight loss philosophy and that you would have to completely change your way of living regarding the intake of food, why would you be eating breads, chips and other snacks in large amounts?  Weight loss surgery of any kind is only designed to be a reminder to you that you should limit your intake.  You were most likely advised prior to surgery that you WOULD be able to eat large amounts and that the result WOULD most likely be that your stomach would adjust to the amount.  Additionally, you may or may not have been advised that if, following the surgery, you DO eat larger amounts of food there is a chance that you could cause your stomach to rupture.  In this situation, if emergency surgery could be performed to save your life, you would most likely be VERY sick for quite some time thereafter.  

It sounds to me as though you were not prepared mentally and emotionally to undertake gastric bypass surgery.  Your doctor should have told you that the surgery is simply a single tool that would HELP YOU lose weight, but that YOU would have to be prepared to do 90% of the work to get there.

I suggest that you take your question back to your doctor and ask for advice.

My advice is that you should determine if you have what it takes to put forth the effort necessary to save your own life.  When you are ready, your doctor can perform surgery that is called "a revision" that will return your stomach to the small size necessary.  Gastric Bypass will not save you - but it can help you save yourself.

Please keep me informed as you continue your journey, I am interested and I do care.

Good Luck Rueben,

Sincerely,
Steve