I want to feel FULL sometimes! HELP

Hi everyone I am seven months out and about 75lbs down. I guess my weight loss is ok. I have a question. Was I the only one who did not know that as post ops we wold not get the feeling of being full anymore? I don't mean stuffed, I mean where you feel satisfied. Sometimes I am afraid to eat beyond what I think is right because I feel that I easily could some days. I read something abou****er loading and that making you feel full but when I went to the support group at the hospital they looked at me like I was crazy when I mentioned it. I don't want this feeling everyday, I guess I am having a hard time gauging when I am satisfied and I am afraid to overeat because I fear the weight will come back. Is there anyone who can relate. I don't want to hear from people who feel that since we have surgery we should not feel like we want to feel satisfied because I don't share that feeling right now. I want some suggestions from some folks who may eat in a way to feel satisfied. I know I do not eat for a whole half hour like they suggest and at times I know I eat too fast, maybe I am not eating enough. The point is I am still learning and willing to take suggestions. Thanks Leem 314/240/personal goal 150

Hiya Leem, The secret is eating the right foods that fill you up. While this includes protein of course, there are other things. We're so used to having the carbs fill us up - all that bread etc. that gives us that sleepy feeling after eating. Who knew that that was what made us overweight the most and probably contributed to a lot of unhealthy diseases? I splurge a lot on veggies and fruits these days and they really do fill you up - but me, personally - I don't want to go to the point of feeling 'stuffed'. But, when I'm hungry, there are things that will do the job.... For me, it's: - a snack sized bag of popcorn - a fistful of fresh cauliflower, carrots or broccoli pieces and low fat ranch dressing - a palmful of soyanuts, sesame sticks and walnuts - half an apple with sugar free peanut butter - those 100 calorie packs of Cheese-it crackers - cheesesticks - the snack containers of Breakstone cottage cheese - and this easy, and awesome minestrone soup: 1/2 can chickpeas (garbanzo beans) 1/2 can kidney beans 2 teaspoons of macaroni or rotelli (cooked) 1/2 can sugar free tomato sauce frozen mixed vegetables - 1/2 cup 2 tsps. italian seasoning 1 teaspoon basil salt to taste fry up an onion in some olive oil, add the spices, add everything else and simmer. This is very filling and easy to make and it tastes yummy. Another thing that really helps is to stick to regularly scheduled hours of eating. I have it scheduled in my Outlook - reminders go off whenever I am supposed to take vitamins, protein drinks, iron, and so forth. If you eat at approximately the same time every day your body like it so much better and always have something to drink on hand. You're right about the water loading! I am not a cold water kind of person - so I drink herbal teas all day long. For cold winter days, nothing is more soothing than having a mug of Ginger Twist or something.... The only time I have ever felt *hungry* is when I don't eat for a few hours, but following the schedule works for me - I am never ever hungry and I am doing just fine! Hope that helps! Nan

I don't get the same full feeling as I use to get before I had surgery. It is different. Sometimes I know I'm full because I will hiccup once or I will sneeze just once. My husband thinks it's funny. He'll look at me and say no more. One time I got mad at him for telling me but now I don't. Sometimes I need him to tell me or later I feel horrible from eating to much. So I guess I can say I feel different when I need to stop eating but not the same full as before. good job on your weight loss. Keep up the good work! Melissa 337/194/170 5'10

Leem, Okay I hope that I dont repeat what these other fine ladies wrote (I didn't read their responses yet) You should definately have the fullness sensation by now. Two suggestions: 1. You might be eating too slow. At this point you should complete your meal within 5-15 minutes tops! Also, drinking with your meal keeps you from feeling full too. 2. Lighter foods (salad, veggies)don't give me that sensation either. Make sure you get in that protein, especially meat, to feel full. I buy those rotisserie chickens at the grocery store and snack on those. They fill me up quick. So do cheese and beans!! I get that stuffed feeling with these foods in a matter of a few bites. C

Leem, water loading is a actual trick that you can do to give yourself a feeling of fullness. 15 minutes before a meal start drinking water 'fill your pouch with water and yes you will be to full to pack it with food. The other thing I wanted to mention to you is this: AT our stage 7 months out now we are supposed to be eating our meal in under 30 minutes. 15 minutes is enough time to chew our small portion. Lingering over food at 7 or 8 months out for 30 minutes or so, now that we can eat more will do just that, make us eat more. The 30 minute eating rule is primarly for those newly out ( the first few months). .. so .. drink some water before meals.. and don't take 30 minutes to eat. It does make a difference. Peace Mo