[pooky96sara]

I have heard that over time u can stretch the pouch back out. How long does that take though? I had surgery april 06. Some days i can eat and eat all day it seems. Yet other times i never really feel like eating. I also crave sweets at times and sugar has no affect on me. I also go through bouts of being lightheaded and stuff when i get up from sitting or laying down. I dont seem to get up fast but its a weird feeling. Also sometimes i feel kinda sad and depressed about things but seem to handle it pretty well. Does a person feel depressed more after the surgery do to body balance being thrown off by not asborbing ur vitamins and nutrients as much??

[DocSanae]

You don't really stretch out your pouch by that much. It's more a return of the natural resilence that the stomach has in accomodating food. The size of your pouch doesn't truly change, but once all the inflammation and swelling due to the surgery and healing is gone, your pouch will accomodate a bit more than right at the beginning. This comes past the 6 month mark or so.

The lightheadedness is most likely from what is known as orthostatic/postural hypotention, but be sure to rule out anemia first.
How are your blood labs? Make sure your vitamin levels and such are all within normal limits, preferably on the high end of normal. Also, are you getting in enough water and protein?

Depression probably will need professional help to be taken care of. The changes in your body, which will most certainly change your perspective of life, can be too much in a short time for you to be able to deal with effectively on your own. Some form of therapy and consultation with a pro will make the ride easier for you.
Also keep in mind that exercise helps a lot with depression, so if you feel you are slacking in that quarter, you may need to revamp your program.

Being more than a year out, you should be able to tolerate almost any food save for a few, both in amound and in type. This can scare you.
Be sure to stick to the protein first, and the amount of fluids you were first insturcted to get in per day. Yes, craving sweets will come and go. It is best if you can avoid them, but if you can be satisfied with a bite or two, instead of grazing on it, then, it shouldn't harm you. However, if you find yourself grazing, then it's best to avoid them.

Check out the Pouch Rules, see if you are keeping to them--you need to keep to them throughout life.

((((((HUGS)))))) May your journey go well.