This post is part of a series of frequently asked questions patients have about weight loss surgery. If you have a question about bariatric surgery you would like to have answered, please comment below and we will answer it in the next series.

Will my pouch stretch?

For the first few months, most patients can eat ¼ cup of food at each meal. Stick to the ¼ cup as long as possible to keep the pouch small. Keeping the pouch small helps you to lose weight. About one year after surgery, the average patient can eat approximately ½ to 1 cup of well-chewed food without discomfort. The average size pouch holds six to nine ounces of food two years after surgery.

*Information provided by the Woman’s Hospital Bariatric Services Department