That full sensation...Question

seems so elusive lately... I'm not hungry, but yet I'm rarely full. Is satisfied really the key? Did full get me to obese? If I really evaluate myself, I rarely get hungry....unless I've gone over 4 hours or so. ANd I've been noticing that now that I can eat more, the little pang that I used to get, doesnt come around so soon. Tell me something, should I be shooting for that pang, or just quit when satisfied? Also tell me how much you guys can eat on average, we know that consistency matters so lets forget about salad, and chili. Can you eat a 6oz chicken breast, or a 6 in submarine sandwich? some days I can, some days I can't. Whats up with that?

Good question, Aliya. I generally stop when my hunger is satisfied. I try not to get to that "full" point because by that time I've usually eaten a little too much because when I feel that feeling, it's after I've taken another bite or two and then when those bite**** my pouch it hurts. Like I said, I eat until I'm satisfied, but I eat about every 3-5 hours or so. I will eat bfast around 9 - 9:30 then I'll eat again around 12:30 or 1, then I eat a snack (a piece of fruit or protein drink or something) around 4, then dinner around 5:30 or 6. Then I may have a snack around 9 - 9:30 (I go to bed around 11 - 11:30). I don't get a full sub, I usually get the wraps and I can eat all but a few bites of it. Chicken breast, I usually get the smallest of the 4 that I cook for my family - probably around 3-4 oz and I can only eat the whole thing occasionally, BUT I usually will have some form of starch (brown rice, pasta, etc.) and a veggie and I eat them while I'm eating the chicken. I think the reason that it varies with days is it depends on how long it's been since you've eaten, etc. Like if I've been really busy in a day and haven't eaten for 6 hours or so, I can definitely eat more than if it's been my typical 3-4 hours. Michelle

Thanks Michelle, If I were eating something else with my chicken then I could probably only eat about 4 oz also, I'm gonna try wraps, even though I love the "concept" of submarine sandwiches, that Overstuffed feeling after the bread is not pleasant.

I feel the same way as you - I often feel "full" and if I do, it's because I ate too much and I know it... I also rarely get "hungry", although I try to eat often enough that it doesn't happen, also, to keep my blood sugar in check... I do notice my "boredom hunger" is working full force, though... How much can I eat? Pretty much the majority of a 6" sub - sometimes a little less, depending on the day A HUMONGOUS salad with all the fixins including meat 4-5 oz of dense meat like steak 6-8 oz of lighter meat like fish A HUMONGOUS bowl of sf icecream - I know, I shouldn't know that... 2 scrambled eggs and a slice of bacon BUT only 1 boiled egg and a slice of bacon

Um yeah Becky, don't worry about the ice cream part, unfortunately I know it too...Interesting about the eggs though, I'm reverse, I can eat 3 egg whites, but only a few bites of a scrambled, I don't think my pouch likes the consistency.

Aliya, I constantly think about this. I know my body is easily reverting back to its old habits, unless I really fight. I've been on a plateau for 3 months. I joined Weigh****chers last week to see if it could help. After 1 week of really watching every bite of food I eat and exercising 90 minutes a day, I'm down 1.5 lbs. I was hoping this surgery would make me want small amounts of food for the rest of my life. And it does, but, obviously I can still eat enough to not lose. Counting points (and man do they rack up fast!) seems to be helping me. I know we are going to have to be diligent for our lifetimes if we are to keep this weight off. I continually have people share stories of WLS patients that gained most of their weight back...so scary! Lori 384/235/199

Lori, Thats so neat that you joined weigh****chers. Mary(rejoicing to be free) and I also do weigh****chers. Since Im at goal my daily points target is only 20 points and man they are gone in no time. I usually spread out the 35 flex points and do 5 a day, so I can have 25 a day. Some weeks I still manage to slide over my points but try to make up for it with exercise(most of the time anyways). Anyways congrats on the 1.5 pounds, every little bit helps right? Candy

That ol' pouchie of ours is a little bit of a fickle pickle. Some days I scare myself at how much I can eat then at other times just a little bit seems to be all I can eat or want. I have noticed a strange thing. I do not often get that full feeling signal anymore. Until it is too late - then I'm miserable. I am having to try to pay attention to when I eat to gage stopping BEFORE I feel full. Two extra (medium sized ) bites can put me into a real 'hurtin' . About a month ago I ate most of a 6" chick terryaki sub and it startled me and scared me that I " ate the whole thing" !! I have been trying to step away from flour products for the most part because they do a number with my blood sugar. And gotta say I'm glad of being forced to stay off them for now. Doing Weigh****chers helps me 'keep it real' with counting everything I eat. If you bite it you write it my instructor insists ! I did try the Core plan last wk. and actually liked it alot. Somehow thought I'd be deprived because of the limit on the white food list but it was very satisfying overall. I ate alot of ff yogurt which is a no limit food. * Just a note: saw my pcp today and he recommends the Activa* yogurt very highly. wants me to eat one a day for 6 wks. till I come back for a follow up. He states that it is super loaded with the healthy bacteria our digestive tracks NEED and that he's seen trememdous improvement in patients with serious constipation and digestive issues who have given this activa a serious try. So I'm game. He noted with our re-routed digestive systems it should be very healthy. And even may help us absorb more nutrients if the digestive system is well nourished w/ the healthy bacteria. I think I will take a tape recorder to my next visit because he shares so much great info and my brain can't seem to get it all down fast enough ( that's my brain smoking ) I have been making my fruit salad and added sf jello this wknd and can eat a whole cup at a time. I used lots of grapes and blueberries and peaches. It does give me a full feeling. And I know I can eat more if I do get to wanting a snack for just 1 or 2 points. I bought some lo carb Bryers rocky road made w/splenda Sunday in a little cone and it was good. I know it's low in points but forgot to tally that up. I have read several times of post-ops who found themselves eating/ravaging food and gaining. They simply went back to the immediately post-op surgery diet and did liquids for a few days then puree and prot. shakes and then at a wk or two out, soft foods then whole. I have read they can retrain their pouches and it can and does work for them. Something to remember that if we get out of control, it is possible to go back to square one and start over.