on liquids and never feel full

Can anyone tell me if this situation is normal?  I'm 10 days post-op, RNY, 20+pds lost.  I have no problem with protein and water.  However, I never really feel "full" like they said I would. They also said I probably wouldn't want food, but I do - though I'm not hungry. I do feel a bit "indifferent" to food, but I do desire it.  I can drink an entire protein shake in about 20 mins. (supposed to only be able to drink 1/4 cup at the top of every hour.)  No problems. No fullness.  The other night I tried v-8 juice which was bigger than my protein shakes, and i downed it in about 35 mins.  I've had chicken broth, beef broth, the soup from pinto beans but not the beans, etc, and I tolerate all without problem. i don't really feel any different.  I've joked with my wife that they didn't really do anything to me and this is some psychological trick!  Anyone had similar experience or should I be inquiring with my doctor whether he really did make me a pouch? :)

Robert, Welcome to The Men’s Forum!! Yep, Super Common!! That liquid runs right on through the pouch!

Hang in there. Once you move to pureed and/or mushy-food, It’ll stay with you. These first weeks SUK! For most everyone. Give that internal stitching time to heal up and you’ll be full on very little soon enough. Best Wishes- Dx

My friend,

Everything your experiencing is normal at your liquid/puree phase. But I will warn you. You will never feel full, just a sense of pressure in your chest/stomach, which you have to learn to be sensitive about to know when to quit. It’s easy to loose early, even with bad habits, but harder after 3months and even harder at 6 months, so learn to use your tool in the early stages will payoff in the long run. So be careful because over drinking a milk shake is not a habit you want to re-learn. Slow and steady is the way to go, now and forever.

Your not in the “club” until you get a piece of chicken stuck for the first time, very discomforting and yet you still do not fill full as you use to know it, just painful, dizzy, and then you eventually toss your cookies. It sort of the graduation ceremony and a reality check at the same time.

 

Don't forget the cultural aspects of eating which are still in place in your head. You might think you're hungry, but not be. A lot of what I experienced was a mental hunger. I "got" hungry at certain times of the day when I previously would be eating. When that happens I've only got two advisements. LEAVE! Go for a walk. It usually helps. The other one is to drink some water.

"I've joked with my wife that they didn't really do anything to me and this is some psychological trick!  Anyone had similar experience or should I be inquiring with my doctor whether he really did make me a pouch?" Goes away real quick the first time you try to eat chicken.  No worries, this is normal.  You might want to add a little metamucil type fiber to the shakes.  This will help the full feeling until you get on the real food.  But sounds like you are right where you are supposed to be. Greg

Been there done that. I ended up askng my surgeons PA about this very thing. At first I was measuring out an oz. and only drinking that over a 15 minute period, you know sip, sip sip. He told me water or any liquid would pass right through. He told me not to be chugging a whole cup of any thing though, that I need to let my new pouch heal and not to stress it, that is why we are told to sip. I found that thicker liquids made me feel fuller, milk or a protein drink mixed with half the water it says. Also if you have a blender mix up a protein drink and use a hand full of ice instead of part of the water, gives it a thick milk shake texture. Try different things and see what works for you.  pan head

Thank you all for the posts and for reassuring me!